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It's the last episode of The Agenda Setters and we have a blockbuster extended edition on trade deadline day.  Our very own Mitch Cleary is on the ground at AFL House and Tom Mitchell grades your club's trade period. Thanks for your support this season on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Breakers are back for an extended Trade Week edition, going behind the headlines, breaking down the biggest deals and revealing what really happens inside AFL newsrooms. Tom's Top 3 AFL Media Managers?! The latest on Dan Houston, Justin Leppitsch's comments and why Trade Radio speculation can quickly become headlines Xander on the mega trade, why print journalists are struggling The boys go inside the difficult media decisions facing North Melbourne over Nick Blakey and Carlton's latest off-field headlines The biggest difference between cricket journos and AFL journos Plus, Kim Kardashian's awkward F1 interviews, the fallout from Tom's AFLW comments and are journalists paying others to post their stories on social media?! 🎧 LiSTNR | Apple Podcasts | Spotify The stories behind the stories – and the conversations that normally stay between footy's biggest news breakers! 📲 Subscribe to the 7AFL podcast feed on LiSTNR, Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you don't miss an episode. 2:01 Howie's hilarious “Australian man” commentary4:51 Tom's Top 3 AFL media managers...7:30 Tom reveals his AFL Media Manager of the Year16:02 The biggest stories remaining in Trade Week16:39 Leppitsch responds to Dan Houston speculation20:38 Xander on the mega trade and whether fans really care23:08 Why print journalists are struggling during Trade Period24:44 Are clubs missing opportunities to promote their big trades?26:56 When clubs deny a story you know is true27:41 How the Bulldogs nailed the Zac Butters announcement29:17 North Melbourne's media dilemma over Nick Blakey32:47 Inside Carlton's latest off-field headlines39:49 The ethics of journalists turning up at players' homes44:12 Cricket vs AFL – the difference between covering the two sports47:56 Kim Kardashian's awkward F1 interviews49:56 Media Performer of the Week51:53 The fallout from Tom's AFLW comments57:10 Tom Papley's Instagram story featuring Nick Blakey59:43 Are AFL journalists paying others to post their stories?1:01:24 The Breakers sign off for 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Agenda Setters, we have the latest on Chris Fagan’s future heading into 2027. What’s next for the former Brisbane Lions coach? Mitch Cleary joins the show with an update on Zac Williams, while Liam Pickering weighs in on Gryan Miers’ future and what could be next for the Geelong star. All that, plus plenty of footy news, debate and your favourite segments on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Agenda Setters, there’s just seven days to go in AFL free agency, and the player movement action is heating up. We have the latest on Geelong star Gryan Miers’ future, while Zane Duursma’s movements come under the microscope. Plus, Brisbane begin their search for a new coach, with the panel discussing who could be in the mix to take over at the Lions. All that, plus plenty of footy news, debate and your favourite segments on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Breakers take you inside Trade Week, revealing how deals get broken, stories get hedged and what really happens behind the scenes in AFL newsrooms. Billy Brownless somehow beat Mitch to breaking the Zach Merrett deal... Tom reveals the language to listen for during Trade Week and how clubs avoid actually saying a player is staying Xander takes us inside the awkward logistics of TV news, from triple crosses to two-shots and staged handshakes The boys explain the art of “hedging” when you know something is happening but can’t quite report it Plus, the mysterious “Staff Writer”, a potential twilight Grand Final and the six phrases banned in AFL newsrooms 🎧 LiSTNR | Apple Podcasts | Spotify The stories behind the stories - and the conversations that normally stay between footy’s biggest news breakers! 📲 Subscribe to the 7AFL podcast feed on LiSTNR, Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you don’t miss an episode. New episodes every week.  0:50 The role of AFL media managers2:58 The awkward logistics of a triple cross5:20 Should Rowan Marshall have gone to the St Kilda B&F?7:35 Inside the very different AFL club B&Fs10:57 Who fronts a coaching sacking vs an appointment?12:56 The mystery of the “Staff Writer”15:20 Zach Merrett and Andrew Welsh’s dramatic change in position16:55 Billy Brownless breaks the Merrett deal19:15 Butters, Chris Scott and the Cats20:35 Jarryd Roughead’s first Trade Period as Adelaide list boss23:05 Gubby Allen’s infamous press conference23:25 Trade Period clichés24:05 The language to listen for during Trade Week25:15 Is a twilight Grand Final coming in 2028?29:35 How the Bobby Hill exclusive came together30:35 Two-shots, handshakes and the tricks behind TV news36:25 How promoting an exclusive can tip off rival journalists37:50 Charlie Curnow rewind: “We were enemies at the time”39:00 The art of hedging a story40:55 Mitch on "shitting himself" over the Merrett deal42:05 What AFLW media is missing43:40 Why Tom wasn’t invited to the Copeland Trophy?!45:15 The six phrases banned in AFL newsrooms46:40 Injury carnage, the big dance and the worst kept secret See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Agenda Setters, Mitch Cleary has all the latest details on Zach Merrett’s move to Hawthorn. Plus, Rowan Marshall boycotts St Kilda’s Best & Fairest — the panel unpacks why the Saints star is staying away from tonight’s event. And Tom Mitchell explains why he believes Nick Watson is the smartest footballer in the AFL. All that, plus plenty of footy news, debate and your favourite segments on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Agenda Setters, we reveal new information on who pressed the button for ‘Wharfie Time’ during the Grand Final. Mitch Cleary joins us with the latest on Chris Fagan’s future, while we also reveal the details on how Zach Merrett could make his way to Hawthorn. All that, plus plenty of footy news, debate and your favourite segments on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Breakers take you behind the scenes of Grand Final Day and into the moments you didn’t see on the broadcast. A coin toss sent Mitch into the losing rooms and Xander into the winners... Xander reveals how he ended up drinking a XXXX with Leigh Matthews after the game The future of Wharfie time  Brisbane called Dayne Zorko’s injury a corky before it was revealed to be a hamstring - should clubs ever lie to the media? The boys unpack the Norm Smith Medal voting, the drinking debate and where the process went wrong Plus, Justin Longmuir’s future, why Chris Fagan might be the AFL Coach’s biggest media nuffie and the madness of Trade Period 🎧 LiSTNR | Apple Podcasts | Spotify The stories behind the stories - and the conversations that normally stay between footy’s biggest news breakers! 📲 Subscribe to the 7AFL podcast feed on LiSTNR, Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you don’t miss an episode. New episode every week! 1:14 Grand Final Day + hedging stories before the bounce7:49 The Freo fan gifted four Grand Final tickets11:04 Winners’ rooms vs losers’ rooms15:28 Interviewing losing players after the siren21:10 XXXXs with Leigh Matthews23:37 The rules around Wharfie Time25:37 The Zorko injury - corky or hamstring?26:32 Should clubs lie to journos?32:02 The Norm Smith voting debate34:09 Should Norm Smith voters be drinking?38:57 Justin Longmuir’s contract situation40:43 Chris Fagan - footy’s biggest media nuffie?43:10 Will Chris Fagan coach on in 2027?47:35 Trade Period madness48:44 Tom’s huge GWS story from the past50:07 Why every player gets better during Trade Period See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Agenda Setters, Tom Mitchell breaks down a Grand Final for the ages, dissecting the biggest moments, key performances and the moments that shaped the game. Mitch Cleary brings all the latest trade news, with the player movement landscape beginning to take shape. Plus, Liam Pickering joins the panel to reveal why his client, John Longmire, is joining Essendon. All that, plus plenty of footy news, debate and your favourite segments on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitch Cleary, Tom Morris and Xander McGuire pull back the curtain on the Brownlow, the after-party and the huge stories dominating the footy world. • The Brownlow after-party delivers - The Wiz didn’t even know there was one, before finding out what it’s like to leave with footy’s Mick Jagger • Inside the Lachie Neale story - Tom reveals how he broke it, how it unfolded behind the scenes and how he managed to cut Mitch’s lunch • Why working the Brownlow is like “story speed dating” - and the tactics journos use to work the room • Xander reveals what surprised him most at his first Brownlow, including what viewers at home never see • The tension gets real between Tom and Xander over the Josh Fraser coaching story • Plus, Nick Daicos at his polished best, clubs pitching themselves to Lachie Whitfield, the Twitter account that can stitch up reporters and Media Performer of the Week 🎧 LiSTNR | Apple Podcasts | Spotify The stories behind the stories - and the conversations that normally stay between footy’s biggest news breakers! 📲 Subscribe to the 7AFL podcast feed on LiSTNR, Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you don’t miss an episode. New episode every week! 1:00 – Inside the Brownlow5:00 – The Wiz had no idea there was a Brownlow after-party!6:00 – What it’s like walking out of the Brownlow with “Mick Jagger”9:20 – What it’s really like working the Brownlow red carpet10:20 – Why Brownlow night is the perfect time to “take out the trash”14:00 – What surprised Xander at his first Brownlow18:30 – Why the Brownlow is “story speed dating” for journalists19:00 – Xander meets Dipper… and gets screamed at about the NFL 21:00 – Inside how the Lachie Neale suspension story unfolded21:30 – How Tom broke the Lachie Neale story22:15 – Has Xander finally embraced “Russian dolling”?26:30 – Looking back at the incredible Buddy Franklin-to-Sydney story27:40 – How AFL clubs pitch themselves to players like Lachie Whitfield 31:00 – How Sam McClure got stitched up by a Channel 9 headline33:00 – The Twitter account that terrifies footy reporters33:30 – What’s happening with Dan Houston?38:00 – The Greg Swann story and the media mop-up 42:30 – Media Performer of the Week44:15 – STORY SWOOPING: Tom v Xander over the Josh Fraser story48:30 – Why Mitch loves seeing Xander get fired up49:00 – Patrick Dangerfield’s feedback after missing the Top 5 Media Savvy Players See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Agenda Setters, has Adam Simpson entered the race to become North Melbourne’s next head coach? The panel has the latest on the Kangaroos’ coaching search and the names emerging as the club closes in on a decision. There’s also more on the potential coaching decisions at Adelaide, with the latest developments from the Crows under the microscope. Plus, Dayne Zorko joins us ahead of a huge preliminary final, discussing the Lions’ preparations and everything at stake this weekend. All that, plus your favourite segments and plenty more footy news and debate on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitch Cleary, Tom Morris and Xander McGuire pull back the curtain on footy’s biggest stories. In Episode 2 of The Breakers: • Inside the Zak Butters story - who knew what, who missed it and how the biggest trade story of the year unfolded• Why did Butters ultimately choose the Western Bulldogs - and just how much did growing up a Dogs fan play a part?• The boys unpack the “Russian Doll” of reporting that followed the Butters news• Xander reveals the telltale sign that an AFL player’s post – was written by ChatGPT• The Zak Butters golf tip that had Xander thinking he’d landed an absolute whale...• Tom takes aim at the way big footy stories are oversold on social media• Mitch ranks his Top 5 most media-savvy AFL players - with some massive names missing the cut• After covering the NFL in Melbourne, the boys reveal what the AFL could learn from the extraordinary access American media gets to players• Plus, The Sounding Board reviews The Breakers - and the team have their right of reply 🎧 LiSTNR | Apple Podcasts | Spotify The stories behind the stories - and the conversations that normally stay between footy’s biggest news breakers! 📲 Subscribe to the 7AFL podcast feed on LiSTNR, Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you don’t miss an episode. New episode every week! 00:00 Welcome to The Breakers01:51 Inside the Zak Butters Story04:33 Why Did Butters Choose the Bulldogs?06:26 The “Russian Doll” of Butters Reporting09:46 Footy Journalism in the Attention Economy11:18 Should Journos Credit Rival Reporters?13:26 Taking Calls While Recording a Podcast15:18 Xander’s Zak Butters Golf “Whale”17:17 The Stories That Never Happened18:58 When Footy Stories Get Oversold20:40 Are AFL Players Using ChatGPT?22:37 What AFL Media Can Learn From the NFL25:19 Tom’s Tex Walker Interview30:33 Mitch’s Top 5 Most Media-Savvy AFL Players35:30 Inside an NFL Change Room36:53 NFL vs AFL Boundary Reporting39:31 The Awkward Post-Interview Handshake43:10 The Sounding Board Reviews The Breakers46:57 Xander’s Bizarre PR Email48:13 Tom Morris Is Available for Interviews?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Agenda Setters, the race to become North Melbourne’s next coach is heating up, with the shortlist narrowing. There’s plenty of fallout for Port Adelaide and Collingwood after missing out on Zak Butters, with the panel examining what the decision means for both clubs. Plus, it’s preliminary final preview time as we look ahead to a huge weekend of footy and assess who has what it takes to book a spot in the Grand Final. All that, plus your favourite segments and plenty more on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Agenda Setters, a star Saint is spotted touring the Suns’ facility, sparking plenty of questions about what could be next. Kane Cornes keeps receipts on the Crows, while the panel unpacks the significance of Zak Butters’ move to the Bulldogs and what it means for both clubs. Plus, has Pat Voss just changed a rule? The panel investigates a key moment that could have bigger implications than first thought. All that, plus your favourite segments and plenty more footy news and debate on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Agenda Setters, the trade period takes centre stage as the panel reveals the key player who could be the difference in freeing up a superstar. Tom Morris and Mitch Cleary bring the latest trade news and updates on eight players, with plenty of movement and intrigue beginning to build. Plus, Sam Mitchell joins the desk to discuss Alastair Clarkson, the anniversary of the infamous Zach dinner and Hawthorn’s chances of making a deep run in the finals. All that, plus your favourite segments and plenty more on The Agenda Setters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.