The most inscrutable team of season 2023

In the first episode of the new season of the Real Footy podcast, Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson talk premiership contenders for season 2023.

Will teams have worked Collingwood out, making them the big sliders this year? They’re a hard team to read. The Demons brought in Brodie Grundy – was that a masterstroke, or an unnecessary addition to a system that already worked? Will Brisbane’s defence hold up? What can the wildcard Bulldogs do with their star players?

There are a lot of unknowns about Richmond, who will need everything to go right if they are to win with an ageing list. Can the Swans rebound from a heavy grand final defeat, or is another appearance on the last Saturday in September beyond them? Carlton’s top five players have tremendous ability, and a finals appearance is a must for coach Michael Voss.

There has been plenty of change in the off-season, including at Essendon, where Brad Scott has taken over as coach. Their pre-season form hasn’t been great, but there is a lot of hope at Tullamarine and the Bombers have emerged from a tricky period at the end of last season. But is “old Essendon” having its last hurrah amid the new, “outsourced” appointments? Are there unresolved issues among the hierarchy?

The panel discusses the fact that AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is due to finish up at the end of April, but his successor still has not been named, while there is also no hands-on footy boss at the league and there are two vacancies on the AFL Commission. And a number of long-term issues remain unresolved, including the licence for a 19th team in Tasmania and the investigation into Hawthorn.

We also look at Jack Ginnivan’s suspension, how Collingwood handled the news and why his suspension could prove particularly costly for the young Pie. Plus, St Kilda’s list woes, and can the Giants stun the competition in 2023?

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