Footy has been turning up the fun and excitement, each and every week since the bye and last fortnight has been no different! Join the Citizen's of The People's Game as the breakdown all the major talking points from footy and sport in general!

On the agenda this week:

- Why does the media take it upon themselves to judge injury management instead of just report on it?

- Josh Kennedy is kicking goals on - and off - the field.

- The "People's Question" tackles the topic of drugs in sport... Are Australian sports fans and sports media hypocritical in their views of "drug cheats" and is "clean sport" even neccessary?

- This week's edition of "Footy Book Club" is a discussion about our very own Kasey Symons' short story 'The Real Fan' and what "real fandom" is.

Material Mentioned In This Episode:

For The People's Question:

Andrew Wu - "The elephant in the room Mack Horton must address"

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/swimming/the-elephant-in-the-room-mack-horton-must-address-20190723-p529th.html

Fitzsimmons - "Horton shouldn't have to shake the hand of a man he doesn't respect"

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/swimming/horton-shouldn-t-have-to-shake-the-hand-of-a-man-he-doesn-t-respect-20190722-p529hw.html?fbclid=IwAR1-ecKt2teUbiyoRR0j_9BhWrWn2rx9-sxl1D8WDCV2cQ7Hfk6tZKr9SSU

Baum - "Taking a stance - or overstepping?"

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/swimming/taking-a-stance-or-overstepping-20190723-p52a14.html

Essendon findings - https://www.asada.gov.au/news/court-arbitration-sport-decision-essendon-players

For Book Club

For The Real Fan by Kasey Symons

https://sofizine.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/so-fi-zine-5-read-online.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3zWY-ghj8gEWroeg-FzI9f1VeXPfH4dXRjeEJpsRedLzx7RaN04Yswi0E

The oasis of "Finals Footy' is flickering on the horizon and as such footy watching feels just that little bit more important and just that little bit more *fun.* Join in the excitement as the Citizen's of The People's Game breakdown another big week in footy!

On the agenda this week:

- JB had a really (like REALLY) good weekend at the footy and wanted to tell you all about it!

- Can players only be personalities when they're winning?

- The "People's Question" tackles the topic of tackling... Is it a skill? Do we like watching tackles? What's the AFL really trying to achieve?

- This week's edition of "Footy Book Club" is a reflection on the Adam Goodes documentary "The Final Quarter" by Ian Darling for Shark Island Productions.

Material Mentioned In This Episode:

For The People's Question

•Hocking tackles change and makes himself a target by Jake Niall (The Age) - https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/hocking-tackles-change-and-makes-himself-a-target-20190718-p528lm.html

•"The Changing Face of Footy" by Andrew McGarry (ABC)https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-23/the-changing-face-of-afl-football/8375930For Book Club

•The Final Quarter by Ian Darling (Shark Island) https://10play.com.au/the-final-quarter

•Adam Goodes' defenders desperate to despise Australia as racist by Andrew Bolt (Herald Sun) - https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-bolt/goodes-defenders-desperate-to-despise-australia-as-racist/news-story/f061e14da1c8c1ca3f4d6a2ec3f88245

•Football's governors can't leave Goodes in too-hard basket by Caroline Wilson (The Age) - https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/football-s-governors-can-t-leave-goodes-in-too-hard-basket-20190719-p528w3.html

•Adam Goodes 'cut down' by racist booing because he was powerful, says commentator Charlie King by Kate Ashton (ABC News) - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-21/adam-goodes-faced-racism-because-he-was-powerful-charlie-king/11328552

•Why do footy crowds boo Adam Goodes? by Martin Flanagan (The Age) - https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/why-do-footy-crowds-boo-adam-goodes-20141003-10ppvf.html

•Waleed Aly's major issue with reaction to Adam Goodes documentary (7News) - https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/the-final-quarter-waleed-alys-major-issue-with-reaction-to-adam-goodes-documentary-c-357664

•Statement of Origin by Lech Blaine (The Monthly) - https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2019/july/1561989600/lech-blaine/statement-origin

It's been a stressful year in footy and one that has caused unprecedented strain on fans' love of "The People's Game". Join The Boys as they talk their way through this romantic crisis...

On the agenda this week:

- JB tries to keep it positive by discussing Michael Gleeson's fanatic profile on Adam Saad

- Gordo laments the 'moral duality' that currently exists in the AFL

- JB shares his concerns about the ambience at AFL footy's graveyard: Metricon Stadium

- The People's Question is: "Has the AFL gone too far in the crackdown on fan behaviour?"

PLUS

This week's edition of "Footy Book Club" is a review - of a review - "The Lost Art of Deadline Writing" by James Parker for the Atlantic.

Content Mentioned In This Episode:

•My family and my religion is everything' Fast break with Adam Saad (by Michael Gleeson) - https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/my-family-and-my-religion-is-everything-fast-break-with-adam-saad-20190531-p51t9b.html

•Call it 'Kiya' (by Des Headland) - https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-06-17/call-it-kiya-stackbetts-hug-explained-why-whitefellas-miss-the-point

•Joffa in The Age - https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/joffa-s-message-this-is-our-place-leave-us-alone-20190616-p51y83.html

•The Lost Art of Deadline Writing (by James Parker) - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/05/sports-writing-on-deadline/586015/?fbclid=IwAR2jDptrc7WDib21fQOIQ4RqDQUyGn_IElLMkV2VnuY70SrvvvhxDD_miqA

•Greg Baum on the 2017 Qualifying Final - https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/big-crowd-a-bigger-win-as-tiger-dam-bursts-20170908-gydz3y.html

The bye rounds are coming but before they do, the citizen's of The People's Game are here to perform a health check on the AFL season so far...

On the agenda this week:

- Kasey discusses her European PhD tour (read: junket)

- JB discusses Michael Wilson's photo of Simon Lethlean and Paddy McCartin

- Kasey asks whether inviting trolls to heckle in person is a good idea?

- Gordo summaries the key narratives that will play out in the second half of the AFL season

- The People's Question is: "When it comes to Indigenous Round, is symbolism enough?"

PLUS

This week's edition of "Footy Book Club" has a 'fashion' bent - as we dive into the glossy pages of Stellar Mag to discuss Tayla Harris' cover story and the representation of female athletes in non-sporting environments.

Content Mentioned In This Episode:

- Michael Wilson's image of Lethlean and McCartin: https://twitter.com/MichaelCWillson/status/1131396413215182848?s=20

- Paddy McCartin's interview with Triple M: https://www.triplem.com.au/story/listen-paddy-mccartin-s-opens-up-on-his-physical-emotional-struggles-with-concussion-138739

- WNBA Anti-Troll Message: https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1132006814483136513

- Richard Hinds on Indigenous Rounds: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-24/afl-and-nrl-indigenous-round-but-what-then/11143016

- Tayla Harris' cover story in Stellar Mag: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/aflw-star-tayla-harris-breaks-her-silence/news-story/3fb6eba4505f1e0af2192153f5563af7

There's nothing better on a Sunday than to curl up on the couch with a fresh cup of coffee, a lavish serving of smashed avocado and review the week in footy... so join The People's Game to do just that!

On the agenda this week:

- Zach Merrett makes a stand on sexism in footy

- Collingwood makes Lil' Kyron their champion for a day

- Josh Green speaks out on footy fat shaming

- Erin Molan gets justice against (one of) the trolls

- Steven May has a beer and the footy world falls apart

PLUS

We have a special edition of Book Club, as our very own Kasey Symons is the Author in Residence to discuss the first chapter of her PhD and Lyle Olsen Graduate Student Contest Winning essay: "Goodnight Stories for Female Sports Fans"

Reading Mentioned In This Episode:

- Zach Merrett's Piece: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/join-me-this-is-about-more-than-footy-zach-merretts-powerful-pledge-to-stand-up-for-gender-equality/news-story/123fdd46624605ea62e3705175e692d8

- Josh Green on ABC Life: https://www.abc.net.au/life/afl-footballers-josh-green-cecilia-mcintosh-talk-online-bullying/11023826

- Report on Molan's Trolls: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-man-david-de-la-blanca-convicted-for-trolling-erin-molan/news-story/8c2ac22b43ad216aef6215cec2a27f28?utm_source=DailyTelegraph&utm_campaign=EditorialSF&utm_content=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Twitter

- Steven May's Drinking Indiscretion: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2019-steven-may-to-apologise-to-melbourne-players-after-drinkingrelated-indiscretion/news-story/ff231391d19de476b5324a65889ced2f

Keeping with the times of modern AFL list management practices The People's Game have made a late change this week:

OUT: Kasey Symons (larynx awareness)

IN: Fiona Bell (debut)

This week JB, Gordo and Fi discuss all things ANZAC Footy, pre-game music and more including:

•Fi's journey from Sydneysider to Western Bulldogs diehard

•The difference between Sydney and Melbourne sporting cultures

•How long is Luke Beveridge's leash at the Bulldogs?

•Why would Buddy want to live in Sydney?

•Are in-game interviews just a little bit naff?

•Has Eddie Betts joined the All-Time small forward group with Daicos and Milne?

•Should ANZAC Day games have pre-game entertainment?

•Why do we feel compelled to offer pre-game entertainment and other types of 'fan engagement'?and

This week's Book Club discussion is based on Martin Flanagan's The Game in Time of War and footy's role in escapism from the trials of modern life.

Congratulations on making it half way through the mid-year "Festival of Footy" - only one more day before a break! Before this 'footyfest' kicked off JB, Gordo and Kasey caught up for a couple of pies and pints and to reflect on the season so far including:

- The AFLW signing period and whether captains leaving their former clubs is a go thing for the fledging competition...

- Brendon Goddard's criticism of Ben Brown's 'diving' and why statements like "play like a man" are damaging...

- The folding of the CWHL and how it acts as a cautionary tale for the AFLW...

- Why the footy media is obsessed with coach killing...

- Is it ok to wear a footy guernsey over a button-up shirt?

- Are footy fans and the media too "pro-Gaff" since his return?

- Why do we always bring up the "state of the game" after four rounds?

AND

Book Club is a piece by Kyle Korver "Privileged" published in The Player's Tribune in which the Utah Jazz basketballer grapples with racism in the NBA.

During the "Easter Festival of Footy" Jack Banister caught up with now Victorian "ex-pat" Ben Rodin to discuss the Good Friday match between North Melbourne and Essendon as well as what it's like to be the head coach of the Cowra Blues Football Club.

Want to have a Bev in the Sheds with us after a game? Let us know via our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sportingchancemag) or on Twitter (https://twitter.com/sc_mag_aus)

Yes, winter IS coming and while JB wanted to make this a Game of Thrones special episode, Gordo and Kasey tried their best to keep him on task. What task? Talking footy!

This Week on the People's Game?

- Is footy over umpired?

- Are the Brisbane Lions about to roar?

- Are the Gold Coast Suns about to rise?

- Do footy clubs have an obligation to perform for their fans?

- What do footy clubs mean when they talk about culture?

- Is West Coast underrated as an organisation?

- Does a 'national game' need a club in each state and territory?

AND

Book Club is a short film special where the TPG Crew break down the AFL's 2018 Grand Final film Inside Access, discuss the art of coaching and debate the merit of inside access.

North Melbourne's Georgia Nanscawen joined JB and Gordo to discuss her journey to top flight footy; the season that was AFLW 3.0, is it possible to stop Erin Phillips, the magnitude of the AFLW Grand Final and why she still loves Harry Potter.

Want us to have a conversation with your favourite person of The People's Game - send us your interview suggestions via Twitter - @sc_mag_aus.