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
AFL: Magnificent Lions building a dynasty; Cats...
Brisbane have gone back-to-back! We analyse how the Lions ran away with the 2025 Grand Final, discuss the Norm Smith Medal voting, look at what went wrong for Geelong, and give Lachie Neale some very big praise ... PLUS a whole lot more!
60 min
2
Red Time: Debating the Brownlow Medal voting pr...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy go head-to-head on whether umpires should keep control of Brownlow Medal voting after a string of controversial results from Monday night. They also look back on Collingwood’s prelim loss, including Mason’s fiery run-in with Dayne Zorko that ended in a $5,000 fine for the Lions veteran. Plus, the boys dive into some key player stats ahead of the Grand Final, debate whether Jaidyn Stephenson deserves another AFL lifeline, and call out why this year’s mark and goal of the year were underwhelming.
27 min
3
AFL: MASSIVE Grand Final preview! Plus, how goo...
This week, we review the two preliminary finals and grade the seasons of Hawthorn and Collingwood, plus take an early look at this week's AFL Grand Final -- how can the Cats and the Lions get the job done? Plus, the MRO needs to fix dangerous tackles, Mark of the Year chat, Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Neale, and more!
52 min
4
Brownlow special! Analysing the favourites, sta...
44 min
5
Red Time: Reliving prelim final moments; Zach M...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy take a trip down memory lane and recall some famous preliminary final moments, while they also look ahead to this weekend’s two HUGE matches. Plus, does the AFL have an equalisation problem? Are the Bombers better off without Zach Merrett? Will Tassie even happen? And the most underrated small forward of the modern era is…
40 min
6
AFL: Crows' feeble finals exit - season a fail?...
This week, we break down the Crows' capitulation, explore how the Lions dismantled the Suns, and look ahead to two massive preliminary finals. Plus, a Mr. September update, State of Origin, and more!
47 min
7
Red Time: HUGE semifinal previews; Are taggers ...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy break down Collingwood’s qualifying final win and how they’re approaching the week off, as well as the latest on Bobby Hill and Jeremy Howe. The boys also debate whether players should be fined $10,000 for flopping, the AFL’s looming last disposal rule change, and why the cashed-up Saints simply MUST play finals in 2026. Plus, why Coxy thinks tagging is “boring” and a bad look for the game, and the key players and stats you need to watch for in this weekend’s semifinals!
35 min
8
AFL: Champion Data's 'Mr. September'; making th...
This week, we review all four finals from a hectic week of September action, and look ahead to the two semifinals. Can we make a case for a straights sets exit? Who is Champion Data's new Mr. September? And why are airlines and the broadcasters in the gun?
62 min
9
Red Time: AFL finals predictions with Collingwo...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy debate the biggest topics ahead of the first week of finals, including trade speculation bubbling during finals, whether we’ll see another elimination finalist win a premiership, and if non-Victorian dominance in this year’s final eight is good for the game. Plus, why the AFL shouldn’t be concerned about the clear divide in this season’s ladder, some stats to watch for in Week 1, and more!
36 min
10
AFL: Each finalist's X-Factor; MASSIVE previews...
This week, we revisit the premiership standards for every finalist, and Jake gives each club a percentage chance of winning the flag. Plus we preview all four finals and name the X-factor to watch for each team!
56 min
11
Red Time: Biggest All-Australian snubs; is free...
It’s a bye week, but there’s still plenty to unpack on Red Time. JB and Coxy dive into Harley Reid’s huge decision to stay loyal to West Coast, what Oscar Allen’s looming move says about free agency, and the biggest All-Australian snubs. Plus, they debate which non-finalists will rise or fall in 2026, and the merits and importance of the pre-finals bye.  
33 min
12
AFL: Grading every bottom 10 team's season; the...
The team breaks down the Western Bulldogs' capitulation to Fremantle, and grades every team in the bottom 10 - who gets an F, and who gets a B? Plus, Izak Rankine, the 'phantom behind' explained, and can the Dons win?!
68 min
13
Red Time: Collingwood’s inside view on the Rank...
This week, the guys dive into the fallout from Izak Rankine’s alleged on-field slur, with Coxy giving a rare player’s perspective on how news like this actually filters through a club, how the Magpies handled it internally, and what impact it has on a playing group. Plus, they debate whether Harry Sheezel’s 54-disposal game is more impressive than Jeremy Cameron’s 11 goals, and give their take on proposed rule changes for 2026.  
29 min
14
AFL: Is Freo's season a fail if they miss final...
This week, we consider whether or not Fremantle has lived up to expectations in 2025. Plus, Harry Sheezel's 54-disposal game, the best dual-position players, the Izak Rankine latest, and more!
59 min
15
Red Time: Mind-blowing Nat Fyfe stat; What St K...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy marvel at Nat Fyfe’s incredible career and the mind-blowing stat from his unstoppable peak. Coxy takes us inside Collingwood amid their current form slump and what’s being done to turn it around, while they also discuss the Saints’ big contract decisions, delve into a huge edition of Start-Bench-Drop, look ahead to a massive weekend of footy, and, of course, have a laugh about Jeremy McGovern’s son’s big moment!
32 min
16
AFL: 'Perfectly placed' - the 9 contenders rank...
This week, we rank each team in the finals race by the level of 'trust' we have in them to win the flag. Plus a look at Essendon's injury crisis, a Ben King update, and Nat Fyfe's legacy.
67 min
17
Red Time: Coxy defends Jack Ginnivan; Goodwin s...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy dive into the bombshell sacking of Simon Goodwin and what it means for Melbourne’s immediate future. They also weigh in on the awkward airport moment involving Jack Ginnivan and a news reporter, and how “uncomfortable” doorstops can affect player-media relationships. Plus, they talk all things Steele Sidebottom’s 350th, who the biggest finals X-factors will be, and heaps more.
33 min
18
AFL: Breaking down who's going to finish top fo...
This week, we look at the machinations of the final few weeks of footy, and break down who is most likely to finish top four and top eight (hint, the Pies might be in strife!). Plus, the Cats' soft draw and Tex Walker's goalkicking.
57 min
19
Red Time: Our favourite after-the-siren goals, ...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy laugh about Toby Greene and Tom Papley’s cheeky exchange and discuss whether the AFL is becoming too precious when it comes to on-field language. They also dig into Collingwood’s increased training loads ahead of a tough three-week stretch, and rank their favourite after-the-siren goals after Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s wild moment on the weekend. Plus, after Patrick Dangerfield ate a kebab on the bench, and so the boys imagine the most disrespectful snacks you could possibly eat mid-game.
35 min
20
AFL: The Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera episode; who's...
This week, we analyse the crazy finish to the St Kilda vs. Melbourne match. Plus, the flag contenders nailing Champion Data's 'Runway', a breakdown of a few hard-to-believe stats from this week's spankings.
52 min
21
Red Time: Footy traditions under threat; Should...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy dive into the AFL’s big player movement and contract debates, such as player salaries being public, and is the game ready for stars to announce their offseason moves in the middle of the season? They also weigh in on Greg Swann’s mission to shorten games and whether it’s time to rethink the father-son rule, the centre bounce, and the pre-finals bye. Plus, we could be in for a chaotic, wet-weather weekend of footy. 
34 min
22
AFL: Eagles CANNOT get a priority pick; do we t...
the team debates whether the Eagles -- now three and a half games behind 17th -- deserve a priority pick. Plus, can we trust the Pies to finish top two, and can we trust the Dockers to keep winning?!
55 min
23
Red Time: Inside Collingwood’s halftime chat; T...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy go inside Collingwood’s half time chat against Gold Coast and what’s actually said when you’re goalless at the break. They also discuss where the AFL’s 20th license should go, Tristan Xerri’s three-match ban, and inconsistencies in footy punishments. Plus, they investigate the AFL’s weirdest visual mystery -- why are some No. 11 guernseys practically touching, while others so far apart?
32 min
24
AFL: The teams nailing the 'premiership standar...
This week, we look at which teams have the best premiership profile heading into the home straight. Plus, why Tigers vs. Dons wasn't that bad, and the scheduling nightmare which faces the AFL.
55 min
25
Red Time: Weighing up the pros and cons of the ...
On this week’s episode, JB and Coxy break down the AFL’s potential in-season tournament concept -- dubbed the league’s version of the 'NBA Cup' -- and weigh up whether fans, players and clubs would actually take it seriously. They also discuss the growing frustration with umpires stopping games unnecessarily for minor knocks or boot mishaps, and dive into Damien Hardwick’s ‘compliment’ to the Bombers, asking whether more brutal honesty from coaches is actually good for the game. Plus, they share their thoughts on the latest score review blunder, and look ahead to a HUGE round of footy.
31 min