The Dogs and Dockers have it all to play for. It's crunch time for the Hawks and Lions, and also our tipsters. Listen to the Real Footy tipping podcast as Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan provide their tips and expert advice as the 2025 home and away season draws to a thrilling conclusion.

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Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's shrewd negotiating skills are rewarded with the richest contract in AFL history. Adelaide star Izak Rankine is under investigation for an alleged homophobic slur. And, the race for the final eight is going down to the wire. Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Peter Ryan bring you all the news from a big week of footy on the Real Footy podcast.

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If you need to make up some ground with your tipping, this is the round to make your move. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan don't agree on much in this week's Real Footy tipping podcast, but they are united about the potential for round 23 to shape tipping contests all over the country. Listen in to find out who they're tipping and why.

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We're dropping an episode of our sister podcast, Good Weekend Talks, into your feed today as it features an interview with Real Footy star panellist - Libby Birch - ahead of the 2025 AFWL season opener on Thursday. 

Since joining the league in its inaugural season, Birch has played 91 consecutive games of AFLW (only two women have played more), and at just 27, has more than a few years left.

She's a media performer of note, bringing sharp analysis to a TV special commentary role, as a radio pundit for 3AW, and as a columnist for The Age – not to mention a buoyant voice on our own Real Footy podcast.

Birch has also become a published author, just releasing “Libby’s Footy Adventures” – the first ever children’s book by an AFLW player. Hosting this conversation is Good Weekend senior writer Konrad Marshall. 

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Collingwood are wobbling. Can they resurrect their season? The Demons are looking for a coach. Is Nathan Buckley the man for the job? And the Dogs are still outside the eight. Do they attack too much? These questions and more - including our preview of the AFL season - are up for discussion on this week's edition of the Real Footy podcast with Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Libby Birch.

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Will the "sacked-coach bounce" work in reverse for the Demons when they take on the Western Bulldogs following Simon Goodwin's axing? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan expect so in this week's edition of the Real Footy tipping podcast. Plus, they discuss what Will Day's foot injury means for Hawthorn, both in terms of this week's game against Collingwood and their finals prospects. And you can catch up on all their tips for in round 22 of the 2025 AFL season as tipping contests go down to the wire with just 28 games left in the home and away season.

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Should North Melbourne’s long-suffering supporters expect more from their team? Why is it the Lions can always summon a victory when they need it, and have Collingwood disrespected their arch rival Carlton, or is it just a case of Craig McRae being cheeky or smug? All those issues, plus injuries worries for two key finals contenders, are up for discussion in this week’s edition of the Real Footy podcast with Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall.

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Gazing into the crystal ball that is the AFL ladder predictor, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan deliver some final-eight forecasts that surprise even themselves on this week's tipping edition of the Real Footy podcast. Turning their attention to round 21, they pontificate over the prospects of the Western Bulldogs against GWS, weigh-up a fascinating clash between Adelaide and Hawthorn and disagree vehemently over who will triumph in Saturday night's MCG match between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.

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Nasiah the messiah pulled off a comeback of the ages for the Saints. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall ask how did he do it, what does it mean for his future and how did the rudderless Demons let it happen? They also discuss Alastair Clarkson's future after the Cats feasted on souvalakis and his Larkey-less Roos, Gold Coast's statement win against the Lions, the jam-packed field for this year's Brownlow Medal and the contrasting shades of Toby Greene.

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In a round of intrastate rivalries, we turn to the Age's two best tipsters of 2025 for the Real Footy podcast. Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson debate if the Suns can turn the tables on the Lions in the match of the round, who'll win an intriguing "Battle of the Bridge" in the Harbour City and a tricky match-up between St Kilda and Melbourne. Plus, they identify the No.1 benefit of Carlton and Essendon getting more prime-time games

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