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: The ideal Grand Final start time; Foo...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy unpack where the taunting line is, the recent rise of player-fan interaction, and coaches calling out their players publicly. The boys also debate the ideal Grand Final start time, discuss footy’s most unbreakable record, and what Tassie’s stadium delay might mean for player acquisition. Plus, do they prefer countdown clocks, or count-up clocks?
35 min
2
AFL: Worst yet to come for 'diabolical' Dons; t...
This week, the team looks at Essendon's awful start to the year, and heap praise on the young Eagles for their win over North. Plus, TDK's bad day out, the hamstring epidemic, and the Bulldogs keep ticking the boxes.
47 min
3
Red Time: AFL's most 'pointless' rule; Pendles ...
This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy weigh in on Collingwood’s forward line struggles, question the AFL’s “useless” interchange cap, and explain why the Scott Pendlebury Tribunal call is “dangerous for the sport”. Plus, are North back? And why on earth are West Coast playing a game at 9:30am!?
33 min
4
AFL: League needs to 'fall on its sword' and di...
This week, Christian looks at how footy is as quick as it's ever been, and we look at the 0-2 teams, Brisbane and St Kilda? Plus, Opening Round has to end, did the AFL overreach with 'fully ticketed' games, and is the Bulldogs' attacking diversity sustainable?
54 min
5
Red Time: Are coaches more important than talen...
Red Time is back for 2026! JB and Coxy kick off the season by unpacking the former Pie’s offseason move to Freo and his first impressions of a side most expect to contend. The pair also debate the new ruck rules, Opening Round overreactions, players snapping around the body from easy set shots, 50-metre penalties being too harsh, and plenty more!
33 min
6
AFL: We're worried about Geelong and Carlton; R...
This week, we dissect each of the Opening Round games, with a reason to be worried for a few teams. Plus, Nick vs. Nas unpacked, crazy stats for Christian Petracca and Ed Richards, and how teams are using the '23rd man'.
47 min
7
AFL: Bold calls, 'bullish and bearish', and wha...
We're unveiling the new things Champion Data will be capturing in 2026, plus, our bold preseason calls, the teams we're 'bullish and bearish' on, and more!
68 min
8
MASSIVE AFL Draft preview: Club-by-club guides,...
ESPN's draft expert Jasper Chellappah joins the team to take a look at the 2025 draft crop. We take a look at each club's draft hand, and preview all the big prospects ahead of the big day.
82 min
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
Brownlow special! Analysing the favourites, sta...
44 min
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
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
21
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
22
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
23
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
24
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
25
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