The ESPN Footy Podcast

The duality of footy ... the 2026 AFL Grand Final was a harrowing, living nightmare for Fremantle fans and players, but unbridled ecstasy and jubilation for Lions players and fans as they completed the threepeat. We break it ALL down here.

Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast.

00.00 Intro and Something You Noticed

06.35 Freo's living nightmare

14.35 Wharfie Time - what happened after

23.10 Despite, it was Freo's best performance all finals

26.15 Where to for Fremantle?

31.20 Where to for Brisbane?

35.05 Norm Smith Medal discussion

43:15 Where does Chris Fagan stand in footy circles?

47.05 Is the hype justified or is it hyperbole?
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This week on Red Time, JB and Mason preview the 2026 Grand Final as Freo prepare to take on Brisbane for a shot at the club’s first premiership. Coxy also discusses his unique Grand Final experience, Freo’s finals form, Brisbane’s attacking firepower, and what it takes to handle the biggest game of the season. Plus, the boys debate in-game activations with the AFL preventing ‘Wharfie Time’ from being used, the pre-finals bye, Taylor Walker’s perfect retirement move, and more.

Intro 0:00

The epic prelim win 1:52

The ‘wild’ Grand Final requests 3:35

Airline price-gouging 5:09

Coxy’s invaluable Grand Final experiences 7:14

Is Freo’s form a concern? 8:40

The Dayne Zorko feud 14:00

What a flag would mean to Fremantle 15:32

Start, Bench, Drop 16:44

No Wharfie Time?! 16:55

The wild Hawthorn-Brisbane finish 18:20

The pre-finals bye concept 20:24

Tex Walker’s incredible retirement move 22:33

Hot Stat Checklist, powered by StatMate 25:25

Don’t Be Surprised If… 29:19
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This week, there's almost too much to talk about! From Friday night's amazing comeback and Hayden Young's clutch effort for the Dockers, to the Jarman Impey decision, Lachie Neale ban, James Sicily's conduct, and Nick Watson ... that's before we even preview the Grand Final!

Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast.

00:00 Intro and Something You Noticed

07:50 Brisbane's win over Hawthorn

10:45 What is Wizard's ceiling?

15:20 How the game was won

18:55 Lachie Neale suspension

23:35 James Sicily and the Hawthorn fans

27:00 Grading the Hawks' season

29:20 Fremantle's win over Sydney - Hayden Young's goal

31:30 How the Dockers turned the tide

34:20 Freo's key forwards are a concern

37:35 The 'Pullman 5' at Sydney

40:00 Grading Sydney's season

41:30 MASSIVE Grand Final preview

50:15 Tips and margin

52:35 Norm Smith tips

55:15 Brownlow - will Nick Daicos break the record?

58:20 Mason Cox vs. Daynze Zorko!
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This week on Red Time, JB and Coxy dive into the biggest talking points, including whether prelims are actually harder to win than Grand Finals, the AFL’s potential plans to shorten matches, and what Zak Butters’ arrival means for the Bulldogs. Plus, the boys debate Pat Voss’ set-shot time management, the timing of last week’s Wharfie Time activation, and look ahead to this week’s huge finals clashes with the Hot Stat Checklist.

Intro 00:00
Start, Bench, Drop 00:56
Prelims are harder than GFs 01:06
The toughest matchup in the AFL? 04:36
Time to shorten quarter lengths? 07:07
No more excuses, Bulldogs 10:40
Wharfie Time wasn’t used correctly! 12:49
Patrick Voss’ time-wasting tactics 14:38
Hot Stat Checklist, powered by StatMate 17:13
Don’t Be Surprised If… 21:30
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On the ESPN Footy Podcast, the team breaks down Fremantle and Brisbane's wins and grade the seasons of Adelaide and Geelong. Plus Champion Data's preliminary final previews, Chris Scott punching the 'wall', Zak Butters, a day Grand Final and a LOT more!

Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast.

00:00 Intro and Something you noticed

06:36 Fremantle's win over Geelong

13:00 Chris Scott's poor press conference

19:48 Grading the Cats' season

21:56 Brisbane's win over Adelaide

35:45 Grading the Crows' season

37.33 Prelim preview - Sydney vs. Fremantle

46:40 Prelim preview - Hawthorn vs. Brisbane

55:30 Is the hype justified or is it hyperbole?
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