The ESPN Footy Podcast

Join ESPN Australia's Matt Walsh and Jake Michaels, along with Champion Data's Christian Joly, as they discuss the hot topics in the AFL, and join Isadora McLeay and AFLW players Eleanor Brown and Imogen Evans talking all things women's footy -- all on the ESPN Footy Podcast.

Sports
1
Red Time: Are AFL players allowed to be honest ...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy debate whether the AFL is going too far in penalising players and officials for publicly commentary. The boys also discuss the alternative fixture models presented at the CEO's summit, whether the Blues can ignore Josh Fraser after their stunning turnaround, and if Collingwood's list profile is being unfairly scrutinised. Plus, they chat Fremantle's remarkable injury run, the weekly battle for spots at the Dockers, and plenty more.  
31 min
2
AFL: Blues 'very likely' to make a wildcard? Pl...
This week, the team chats the Blues’ resurgence and if they’re wildcard contenders. Plus the Crows are also back in form, the league’s most improved players, the forwards who take the hardest set shots at goal, and more!
57 min
3
Red Time: Why Fremantle spends $500k on charter...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy discuss Fremantle's use of charter flights, unpack the Tribunal's decision to uphold Paul Curtis' three-match ban, and praise Jy Simpkin for publicly backing his teammate. They also debate AFL rule clarifications, discuss reports of tension at the Suns and why a bit of friction inside a football club isn't always a bad thing, and they tackle trade secrecy and whether the AFL is ready for players to declare their intentions earlier in the season. 
39 min
4
AFL: AFL should've avoided clash with Socceroos...
This week, the team looks at the free kick ladder but delves deeper into the 'noise of affirmation', debates whether you'd rather have North Melbourne's list or West Coast's list, and discusses the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Plus, should the AFL avoided a clash with the Socceroos?
53 min
5
Red Time: Why the AFL won’t shorten games; the ...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy discuss the AFL's long-term fixture plans as Tasmania edges closer to entering the competition, including whether the league should consider more games, fewer games, or even shorter matches. The boys also unpack the Tribunal's decision to clear Billy Frampton, debate the AFL's growing crackdown on careless umpire contact, revisit wildcard weekend as the race for finals heats up, and ask whether Harry McKay's clever time-wasting tactic was smart footy or a loophole that needs fixing.
35 min
6
AFL: Did Kozzy deserve the trophy? Close the Mc...
This week, the team looks at Freo's record and how being four games inside the top two helps them down the track. Plus, some wild stats from a week of close margins, Harry McKay's shot clock, Kozzy's trophy, and a whole lot more!
54 min
7
Red Time: Peaking too early is a footy myth; Ca...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy debate whether ‘peaking too early’ is real as Fremantle continues its dominant start to the season. The boys also discuss Carlton's unusual draft dilemma, why the AFL got spooked into changing the ARC score review process, and whether clubs should stop selling home games. Plus, should Essendon hire the best coach available, or the person best placed to galvanise a struggling club?
36 min
8
AFL: Ranking the premiership contenders, why Do...
This week, the team looks at the form of the Swans and Dockers, rank the premiership contenders, and dive into goalless first halves. Plus, James Hird, the 'homebody Dees', and have the Saints improved? (An update!)
58 min
9
Red Time: Why footy needs more honesty like Sco...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy praise Brad Scott’s openness about wanting to let Zach Merrett leave the Bombers in the offseason, and pay tribute to Neale Daniher. They also discuss the ‘weak’ look of staging, the advantage rule, and whether it’s time to stop celebrating acts of courage in the wake of the AFL’s concussion crackdown. 
40 min
10
AFL: Pendlebury's worst game ... ever?! Plus, t...
This week, the team looks at the Giants' third quarter blitz, what the Blues have changes under Josh Fraser, and delve into who the game's most impactful players are. Plus, was Pendles' milestone game his worst game, ever?!
49 min
11
Red Time : ‘I’d love it’: Why coach-player inte...
34 min
12
AFL: Have the Demons (unknowingly) cracked the ...
This week, the team discusses Melbourne's almost accidental rebuild and how it could work for other teams. Plus, a look at the Bulldogs and North's lean run of form, an update on St Kilda's improvement, and a bit of Pendles chat as well!
59 min
13
'It p----s me off!': Cox lashes Pendlebury crit...
35 min
14
AFL BONUS: Michael Voss out at Carlton -- where...
24 min
15
AFL: The most accurate players from set shots; ...
This week, the team looks at 'Wharfie Time', Geelong's fascinating venue-dependent 'Plan B', and Port's close losses. Plus, the best (and worst) set shots in the AFL, Josh Rachele's celebration, Conor McKenna's Irish 'solo', and more!
47 min
16
Red Time: Why non-Victorian teams are disadvant...
33 min
17
DRAFT: Rule changes explained, plus the names t...
ESPN's draft expert Jasper Chellappah joins the team to disucss all the changes to the draft bidding system. Plus, a look at some of the names to know as the junior season kicks into full gear, and a look ahead to the midseason draft.
24 min
18
AFL: 'The worst umpiring decision of the year';...
This week, we look at the teams who score (and give up) the most 'red time' goals. Plus, The Pies' inside 50s problem, the most improved player in 2026, the Blues, 'Whiteboardgate', and more!
51 min
19
Red Time: The Ainsworth-Cox exchange; is Pendle...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy chime in on the technology in sport discussion after Round 7 controversies, bemoan the stand rule AGAIN, and ask if its right for Collingwood to manufacture when Scott Pendlebury’s record-breaking game should be, rather than letting it happen naturally. Plus, is Pendles’ golden guernsey too much? Three rucks could be in the AA team, and plenty more!
31 min
20
AFL: 'The ultimate solution has become a major ...
This week, the team looks at the ARC, and discuss if it's overreaching. Plus, how to stop Sydney's blitz, Jake updates his definitive 'superstar list', why Champion Data doesn't go retrospectively call stats from the past, and we show Scott Pendlebury some love.
60 min
21
Red Time: Mid-season trade period debate; what’...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy discuss the pros and cons of a mid-season trade period and why a team like the Bulldogs would benefit right now. They also unpack one of the ‘biggest’ and most ‘dangerous’ problems in the sport today, discuss Ross Lyon’s press conferences, compare the Western Derby to a big Victorian rivalry clash, and much more!
33 min
22
AFL: Fact-checking Ross Lyon; best milestone g...
This week, the team looks at the Premiership Standards report to see which teams are nailing the key stats. Plus, we dissect Ross Lyon's press conference, look at the best milestone games ever, and a heap more.
55 min
23
Red Time: Butters vs. Foot; is the top six alre...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy unpack Zak Butters’ report for ‘abusive’ language towards an umpire, question whether the top end of the ladder is already set in stone, dive into Andrew McQualter’s comments about Harley Reid’s disciplinary issues, and bemoan Friday night double headers. Plus, the WILD stat out of Gather Round, Jack Higgins has changed his tune, and much more!
31 min
24
Red Time: Coxy SLAMS Wildcard Round; is it time...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy discuss the idea of the AFL banning the high mark due to concussion fears, the potential for contact training limits, Chris Scott’s Wildcard Round criticism, and ponder whether the traditional ‘Big 4’ clubs no longer are. Plus, the state Gather Round should head to next, and more!
30 min
25
AFL: No more ‘safe’ margins in footy; the faste...
This week, the team dives into what’s changed at Melbourne under Steven King and the staggering numbers behind their start to the season. Plus, the things you may have missed from a wild Easter Monday contest, why teams are coughing up big margins more than we’ve seen before, and was Clarko out of line?
55 min