Rip Through It

Robbo & Matho unpack the new AFL rule changes, the messy Gather Round fixture, Wild Card Finals, preseason updates and the biggest grudge matches of 2026. Quick, sharp, and full of laughs.

Robbo and Matho go deep this week, reacting to the aftermath Matho’s ban, ranking the top 5 draft years since 2008, and previewing the AFLW finals. Plus, Jackson’s Halloween off it's head, the Chicken interview feedback and whether delisted players deserve a second chance.

Ricky Nixon was once one of the most powerful figures in Australian Rules Football. Through his management company Flying Start, he represented over 100 AFL players including a third of the league’s captains during the 1990s and 2000s.From Wayne Carey to Ben Cousins, Nick Riewoldt, Jason Akermanis, Anthony Koutoufides, Jonathan Brown, Barry Hall, and Brendan Fevola, Ricky was the middleman in some of the biggest player deals, contracts, and controversies the AFL has ever seen.In this episode, we dive deep into how Flying Start grew into a player-management empire that reshaped the AFL landscape. Ricky opens up about some of the wildest trade stories and unforgettable Mad Monday tales, shares what it was really like managing delisted players and aging veterans, and explains how the media always seems to uncover player secrets. He also reveals the hardest player he ever had to manage, while offering a few raw and honest reflections on what truly went down behind the scenes during his time at the top.This is one of the most raw looks into AFL’s player-agent era, straight from the man who lived it.

Rhys “Beast Mode” Mathieson talks on being banned by ASADA.

From bodybuilding dreams to the random game-day test that flipped everything. Matho takes us through exactly how it all went down.

He opens up about the moment he realised his AFL career was over, why he turned to bodybuilding, and the timeline that led to his positive test, from signing with Grange in January, stopping supplements in February, getting his bloods done before the QAFL season, and still getting hit with a “random” test months later.

We also dive into the AFL’s use of his old transformation photo, what really happened on August 3rd and 10th, and how long it took before he was actually told the results. Matho doesn’t dodge responsibilit but he owns it, but he’s got plenty to say about the process.

State of Origin is back on the agenda, Robbo blind-ranks the biggest AFL trades, and we reveal the most valuable sporting teams in Australia. Plus, Joe asks who’ll shine at their new club and we make some way-too-early 2026 Grand Final predictions.

2× premiership Lion Kai Lohmann joins Rip Through It again after another huge season.
He chats offseason plans, lessons from 2025, and relives every finals moment — from the early loss to Geelong to that roaring win in front of 96k at the ‘G.
Hear how the Lions went back-to-back, the inside jokes (Andre? Avocados? Boost Juice?!), and what it’ll take for a three-peat in 2026.

The 2025 AFL Trade Period went off and the boys break down every major move, from Curnow’s shock switch to Sydney to Petracca and Ugle-Hagan teaming up on the Gold Coast. Robbo reckons the Saints cleaned up, Matho’s wrapped on the Lions, and no one’s safe in this recap. Chaos, rumours, and a few reality checks it’s all happening!

We break down the NRL vs AFL ratings war, the biggest trades and free agency moves of 2025, and reveal our early top 4 and bottom 4 predictions. Plus, Best & Fairest reactions, Gubby Allen mad dog comments and all the latest on the trades ft Ricky "Chicken" Nixon!

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

1:29 How good was the NRL Granny!

3:28 Shout-out @footy.finds

3:53 NRL vs AFL debate is back!

10:14 Revisit 2024 best and worst trades

14:25 Rate the 2025 best and fairest winners!

23:23 Ricky "Chicken" Nixon joins the poddy!

39:20 Recap the latest Trade news

43:20 Demons have treated Clayton Oliver shit

47:00 Top 4 and Bottom predictions for 2026

We sit down with Dayne Beams to unpack an incredible AFL journey, from premiership glory with Collingwood to captaining Brisbane, battling injuries, and stepping away at just 29. Beams opens up on the highs of his 2012 All-Australian season, the pressures of leadership, mental health struggles, and life after footy through art and fatherhood. Raw, honest and unfiltered! This is Beams like you’ve never heard him.

The Lions shock the Cats in one of the most historic Grand Finals ever. Robbo & Matho break down the underdog story, Lachie’s epic sub move, Harro’s defensive clinic, and Charlie’s match-turning goals. We share raw post-game emotions, Norm Smith votes, and ask: could this be the start of the greatest Lions team ever?