While the footy world bids farewell to a five-week bye period and normal programming resumes this weekend, Carlton's poor showing against Port Adelaide last Thursday night remains high on the agenda. Our podcasters assess the sorry state of affairs at the Blues as injuries mount up and their finals hopes in smithereens. The SCG turf, Gold Coast 'grows up' as fans boo former players and the Tom Lynch case are all in the spotlight.

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On paper it seems like a straightforward AFL round. But on this week's Real Footy tipping podcast, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan have sage advice for tipsters searching for a sneaky upset. They ponder if Sydney are the league's sleeping giant, whether the Bulldogs will salute in Bont's 250th and whether the under-siege Blues can resurrect their season against Port Adelaide.

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The Blues are once again in turmoil following a disappointing loss to North Melbourne. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss the winds of change blowing through the Blues. They also debate tagging tactics, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's mending of relationships at the Western Bulldogs and the mooted return of State of Origin footy. Plus, they identify the one team that might be the sleeping giant in this year's race for the finals.

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After climbing to the shared lead of The Age tipping contest, Peter Ryan joins Andrew Wu on the Real Footy tipping podcast to discuss the risks worth taking in round 15, St Kilda's selection strategy and how the Lions need to lift to topple the in-form Cats. Amid the expert advice, there's a healthy dose of banter, a few laughs and we even learn how the House of Wu will be watching the must-see clash between the Giants and Suns.

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Key forwards cashing in, the Bulldogs lurk menacingly outside the eight and conspiracy theories about the AFL fixture. All these matters are on the table in this week's episode of the Real Footy podcast. Plus, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson ask, was the Hawthorn v Adelaide match in Launceston engrossing or a snoozefest, and what has Melbourne learned from their past experience with long-term contracts?

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Can the Hawks continue their winning ways in Launceston against the Crows, and does Patrick Dangerfield's return to Geelong's forward line stifle Jeremy Cameron's influence? Peter Ryan is back to join Andrew Wu behind the mic for this week's Real Footy tipping podcast to answer these curly questions while also sharing a few laughs and their tipping wisdom. Plus, we find out why Wuey got home so late from last week's trip down the highway to GMHBA Stadium. Tune in to find out more.

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The fallout from the Big Freeze match, bruising bumps, the future of the Tassie Devils, North Melbourne's narrow escape in Bunbury and Andrew Dillon's fireside coastal catch-up with bailey Smith are among the hot topics on this week's Real Footy podcast, with Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson and Sam McClure. What's more, Donald Trump and Elon Musk even rate a mention.

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Tipping aficionados Andrew Wu and Calum Jaspan dissect the round 13 games in our mid-week episode of the Real Footy podcast. Will it be the Dogs or Hawks who stamp their credentials in the Thursday-night blockbuster, will Adelaide's form prove irresistible against the reigning premier and can the Swans bounce back from last year's embarrassment? Tune in as we attempt to answer all those questions and many more.

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The Swans sink to a new low, the Hok-ballers cough up ad-hoc effort, Melbourne "kick themselves to death", and we ask which acronym do the Saints need more: NWM or TDK? All that and more must-listen footy chat in this week's Real Footy podcast with Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure.

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Libby Birch, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan look back at the players they should have taken and those they regret picking in our pre-season super draft before tipping round 12. Are the Hawks a sneaky chance against the rampaging Pies? How much of an impact is the change of coach having on the Swans? And is the Demons' bounceback the real deal?

SEE THE TEAMS AND VOTE HERE: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/we-drafted-three-teams-of-current-afl-players-which-is-the-best-20250219-p5ldi6.html

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