Whateley

"There's every reason to cross the border en masse, lay claim to the SCG, and to believe this intoxicating run has a heroic Harbour City stand to make..."

Kane Cornes offered his opinion on Ross Lyon's decision to reject the Essendon coaching process, Chief Executive Simon Garlick told us how many Fremantle fans are making the voyage to the MCG, Brenton Sanderson on the essentials for Collingwood strategically, and Riley Beveridge rang the Trade Bell on the ruck merry-go-round, plus Bryan Curtis on the eve of the NFL season in the US.

Gerard was joined by Kane Cornes and Simon Garlick on Thursday morning.

On Thursday morning, Gerard's editorial on Ross Lyon's decision to pull out of the Essendon coaching race (00:43) was followed by his weekly chat with Kane Cornes, who had plenty of topics to share his thoughts on (5:03). He then caught up with Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick ahead of their semi-final against Collingwood on Saturday night (24:44), and after Riley Beveridge rang the Trade Bell (34:55), he was joined in the studio by Brenton Sanderson who previewed the weekend's games (45:37). Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski called in before their elimination final against Canberra (1:11:55), and Bryan Curtis talked all things NFL on the eve of their season opener (1:18:51).

Ahead of their elimination final against the Canberra Raiders this weekend, Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski joined Gerard to talk about why they won't be taking the Raiders lightly, the expected crowd at AAMI Park, Jahrome Hughes' fitness, the friendship between Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart, Penrith's decision to rest players in Round 25, and more.

SEN tennis expert Brett Phillips joined Gerard to talk about the match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz and the likely rivalry we're going to see between them, Francis Tiafoe's dominant quarter final win, and more.

Brenton Sanderson joined Gerard in the studio to talk about the incredible scenes we saw in last week's finals, to share his view on the two semi-finals this weekend, Melbourne vs Brisbane and Collingwood vs Fremantle, and to explain what Geelong and Sydney need to be doing in their week off.

AFL.com.au journalist Riley Beveridge joined Gerard to ring the Trade Bell, where they discussed Carlton's intentions this off-season, the return of the ruck merry-go-round, GWS and Richmond's potential dealings, the race for Josh Dunkley, and your questions/whispers.

With the NFL season set to kick off tomorrow, The Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis joined Gerard to talk about his excitement and anticipation ahead of opening night, Tom Brady's standing in the game as a 45-year-old, Amazon's acquisition of the Thursday Night Football rights, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman's move to ESPN, the favourites to win the Super Bowl, and more.

With the Dockers set to do battle with the Magpies in Saturday night's semi-final, Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick joined Gerard to talk about how many members of the purple army will be making the trip to the MCG, their comeback win against the Bulldogs and the atmosphere in Optus Stadium, why the difficult environment won't concern their young team, Nat Fyfe's fitness, and more.