As more and more teams clambour to make the top eight, the rather settled top four experienced some turbulence. What does the Dees come from behind victory against the Lions do for the rest of their respective seasons? How much of a hit did Port take after being pummelled by Carlton? And hwo far are Geelong away from being a genuine title threat after smashing Essendon? All the while the Black & White army marches on. 

Plus are there any suprise additions to the boys MVPs this week? It's hardly any surpsie who's number one.

Down The Guts AFL - Round 18, 2023 - Top four narratives take a twist and turn

The boys need to spend some time on the therapy couch this week after both of their teams went down by less than a kick. But where does this leave Port Adelaide and Collingwood mentally? Are Port Adelaide scarred by getting so close and failing to get the win? Or are Collingwood seemingly invincible if they're winthin 20 points at 3/4 time? Meanwhile Joe is incredibly husky after verbally willing the Crows on in a thriller at the G.

What does those results do to the boys tiers?

Down The Guts AFL - Round 19, 2023 - Time for a session on the footy therapy couch

Are the top four getting nervous? Because here comes Carlton and GWS!

In a tipping nightmare, some uncomfortable truths have been exposed particularly at Collingwood and Port Adelaide. 

Plus what can North Melbourne and West Coast take from Season 2023 into season 2024?

Down The Guts AFL - Round 20, 2023 - An upsetting round of uncomfortable truths

As Season 2023 continues its topsy-turvy nature, the boys ask the question - can the real MVP please stand up: Is it Marcus Bontempelli Zak Butters or other?

Plus which of the top four teams has the better form line, and why is Brisbane's carry the least confidence?

And what to Gold Coast need to make the finals next year? Would Damian Hardwick bring that with him if he walked in the door?

Down The Guts AFL - Round 22, 2023 - Can the real MVP please stand up?

Adam and Joe burn the midnight oil to crown an inaugural MVP. 

Plus where to for Essendon and the Western Bulldgos; have Collingwood stabilised, how much damage can the Giants deal in the finals; and do we believe in Melbourne yet?

Down The Guts AFL - Round 24, 2023 - A MVP is crowned as a big sound reverberates at Docklands

They were the best team all year, but what did Craig McRae do to unlock his side's potential? His champion team was greater than the sum of its parts. Yet their ability to adjust to their opponents game plans and systems throughout the year, as well as playing to their own strengths is now rewarded with a premiership. What does this mean for McRae's legacy? Conversely, does this mean Chris Fagan will forever be seen as a 'bridesmaid', depsite taking significant steps with his squad towards the ultimate success?

Plus, you can moan all you want about North Melbourne's compensation picks, but what should the Kangas actually do with them? Adam sends a few thoughts their way.

Down The Guts - Collingwood Chameleons are the Champions

Even before Free Agency opened, trade talk went into overdrive. But forget the couldas, shouldas and wouldas - here's why West Coast must stick fat with the #1 selection and resist the urge to split the pick. Plus why the Bulldogs' new 8-year contract for Aaron Naugjton reveals they either have no list management plan or are secretly trying to revolutionise the game.

Down the Guts - Free Agency Opens and so does the trade talk frenzy

The trade period has thrown up an early flurry of activity, but who's cooking and brewing something that could detonate the final few days?

It could be Melbourne having seen James Harmes, Brodie Grundy and James Jordan all depart, with only Tom Fullarton arriving. They still have a chronic need for a power forward. 

And with several key deals yet to be done, the boys look at who actually has the leverage?

Down the Guts - Deals gotta get done, but who's actually got the leverage?

At the end of the 2005 AFL Season, the Swans are celebrating a drought-breaking premiership, but at the draft that's to follow, a young Scott Pendlebury makes it on to an AFL list and sets in motion  a career that is now destined for elevation to Legend status in the AFL Hall of Fame. 

But who else goes in the top 5 of the class of '05? Adam and Joe try to reshuffle the picks and reassign the first round.

Down the Guts - Scott Pendlebury top of AFL draft class of '05 - but who's second?

Adam Cooney was the prized #1 selection in the 2003 draft and went on to win a Brownlow, but does he go #1 20 years later? Adam and Joe take a look back at the draft, as well as discover a few of the lessons clubs learned two decades ago which may still be relevant today.

Down the Guts - 20 years from the 2003 draft, who makes the top five?

Summer is almost here and for many of us, there's a few months off before the next AFL season roars back into life - but there's plenty left to ponder heading into 2024.

Who got what they needed in the AFL National Draft? Is there a clear strategy for clubs like Richmond? Did West Coast play it safe by holding on to their first round picks in the 2023 and 2024 draft?

Plus what's the solution to the grumbling around the NGA and father son picks? Some clubs have more than raised their eyebrows after the Suns were able to secure their four NGA prospects in the first round of the draft, but there's been little mention of how many father/son picks Collingwood had in their Premiership winning side this year. 

Also a bg thank you to everyone who tuned in at some stage throughout this season. Your support is invaluable.

Down The Guts - Season finale 2023

It's probably the best time of the year to be wrong, but doesn't it feel amazing to be right! 

Badges handed out left, right and centre on this pod for the team the boys are most excited, nervous or intrigued about. 

The boys go through the final nine teams including:
- Essendon 2:14
- Hawthorn 18:30
- North Melbourne 28:13
- Geelong 38:04
- St Kilda 50:55
- Adelaide 1:05:58
- Western Bulldogs 1:22:31
- Port Adelaide 1:36:43
- Fremantle 1:53:46

The time capsule is now complete in podcast form - how right were the boys in terms of ladder prediction, number of wins and the players to watch?

Down The Guts - Season 2024 Premiere (part two)

In a game filled with stars, how do you separate out those that shine the brightest?

Adam and Joe hand out their superstar status for the class of 2024. Who makes the cut? Who do you think should have get a jacket?

Plus have the pre-season games changed your mind about the prospects of any club this year?

Down the Guts - Separating the stars from the superstars in 2024

"Staying humble". You hear it all the time from athletes in sports all over the world... well, round 3 threw out a few lessons in humility for a number of clubs. 

The Crows are one step away from being completely humiliated, Port were humbled at home (despite long periods of dominance), and Richmond found a way to pinch a win off a contender despite their humble list. 

Plus Adam and Joe do a few site inspections on a few AFL clubs who are quietly building their lists.

Down the Guts - Round 3, 2024: Staying humble or be humbled

The AFL's second 'Gather Round' was a roaring success, ask anyone who attended including Adam. 

But how many Gather Rounds should there be in future seasons and where? 

Also, do you bacak the Umpires to make game-changing calls for indiscretions like dissent as seen the Fremantle v Carlton match? Put the whistle away or hold your tongue? This is a debate you won't want to miss.

Down the Guts - Round 4, 2024: Magic, the Gathering in Adelaide, despite umpire controversy

The Down the Guts Stock Exchange is open for business. Adam and Joe float a few teams and where they think they're currently priced. Are you buying, selling or holding at these values? 

Plus the MVP returns. Who's in the boys respective top 5s?

Down the Guts - Round 5, 2024: Who are you buying/selling on the DGX?

We finally have our first complete picture of the AFL season and we see West Coast begin to soar off a back of a roaring Harley, Geelong purring nicely and Carlton score important wins while undermanned. 

Plus Adam poses the question, why should the Father-Son (see also Father-Daughter) draft rule continue to exist?

Down the Guts - Round 6, 2024: Life father, like son?

The Lions form line tells you they are sick at the moment, but what the diagnosis at Brisbane, and is there a prescription that can help get them back on track?

Plus the Cats have all the cream at round seven, did anyone see this coming? 

Adam and Joe check back in on their MVPs, and also look ahead to the SA Showdown and the moments of rivalry that burn deep.

Down the Guts - Round 7, 2024: Diagnosis Brisbane, what's got the Lions sick?

Two results stick out like sore thumbs, which lead to a big question for two clubs at the round eight - what are you holding on to?

Plus the boys update their tiers, and look at the fringes.

Down the Guts - Round 8, 2024: What are you holding on to? cc PTA & WBD

Welcome to Down the Guts where we get to the guts of what’s happening on the footy field and try not to get bogged down with the trivial stuff. This is unfettered and unfiltered footy discussion!

New tracks tagged #North Melbourne