VFL / VFLW Podcasts

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

North Melbourne are the VFLW premiers after playing against the Western Bulldogs in an epic Grand Final at ETU Stadium. Coburg produce a touch of magic coming home with a wet sail to overrun Port Melbourne.  

Catch up on:

• Reflecting on a simply awesome VFLW Grand Final
• Congratulations to the Kangaroos on a historic premiership
• Commiserations to the Western Bulldogs but a meteoric rise to be there on Grand Final Day
• Smithy's VFL Weekend Heroes, a triple treat across the weekend
• INTERVIEW: Brett Gourley; North Melbourne premiership coach
• Intriguing match ups in the Smithy's VFL this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

It's Grand Final week in the rebel VFLW competition, the Western Bulldogs will face off against North Melbourne for the ultimate prize. In the Smithy's VFL, Werribee are perched a game clear on top, while there's intriguing match ups in the logjam on the ladder behind the Tigers. 

Catch up on:

• How the Western Bulldogs orchestrated a Preliminary Final victory over Williamstown
• Credit to the Werribee Tigers for their sustained excellence 
• Frankston putting together their best season since 2008
• INTERVIEW: Jess Jones, captain of North Melbourne VFLW side
• INTERVIEW: Dom Carbone, captain of Western Bulldogs VFLW side
• The midfield mix in the VFLW State of Play Team of the Year 

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across the 2024 rebel VFLW Finals Series, Christina Bernardi will be the State of Play Finals Analyst alongside Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani. 

In this BONUS edition of State of Play you'll hear: 

• Recap of both finals from Week 2
• Preview of the VFLW Preliminary Final between Williamstown v Western Bulldogs

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

The penultimate weekend of the VFLW season is upon us, Williamstown will tackle the Western Bulldogs for a spot in the Grand Final. Footscray have fallen to 1 win in their last month while a stalwart of Box Hill shines in their 1 point win over the Cats.

Catch up on:

• North Melbourne advance to the VFLW Grand Final
• Will Williamstown respond against the Western Bulldogs this weekend?
• What's happened at Footscray after starting the season 10-0
• INTERVIEW: Dom Brew, spiritual leader of Werribee 
• Intriguing match ups this weekend
• The forward line in the VFLW State of Play Team of the Year 

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across the 2024 rebel VFLW Finals Series, Christina Bernardi will be the State of Play Finals Analyst alongside Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani. 

In this BONUS edition of State of Play you'll hear: 

• Bernardi's recap of the 2024 VFLW season with Essendon
• The invitational series GWS & Sydney undertook in 2024
• How teams opted to use their AFLW lists through the home & away season
• PREVIEW: Williamstown vs. North Melbourne for a Grand Final berth
• PREVIEW: Western Bulldogs vs. Port Melbourne in a knockout final 

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

We are into the second week of the Rebel VFLW finals series, 4 teams remain in pursuit of glory. In the Smithy's VFL, a Queensland side is charging up the ladder while Werribee continues its stronghold on top spot. 

Catch up on:

• The first weekend of Rebel VFLW finals action
• Inside the 4-walls of Arden St for their historic first finals win
• Brisbane's last 6 weeks in the Smithy's VFL 
• INTERVIEW: Tamarra Luke, retiring captain of the Box Hill Hawks
• Semi-final predictions for the Rebel VFLW this weekend
• Top of the table clash on Saturday in the Smithy's VFL 

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

One week away from the Rebel VFLW finals series, the ladder in the Smithy's VFL is tightening right up as we move into the back half of the season. 

Catch up on:

• An enthralling final day of the VFLW home & season
• Joey had a great day at Port Melbourne watching the double header unfold
• Mon De Matteo is the Rowena Young Medallist
• Jesse Corigliano, Captain of Coburg after beating the Northern Bullants in the Battle of Bell St
• Ashlee Thorneycroft, Williamstown star after the Seagulls locked up the minor premiership in the clubs 160th season
• A full VFLW finals preview of the three match ups

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

One week away from the Rebel VFLW finals series, the ladder in the Smithy's VFL is tightening right up as we move into the back half of the season. 

Catch up on:

• 0:40: After being in the Footscray gun, the Box Hill Hawks now have their sights on Gemma Bastiani 
• 2:00: Sydney are succeeding on the back of the "Joel Hamling effect" 
• 3:40: Brisbane are starting to get motoring sending warning signs to the rest of the competition 
• 5:10: Jack Watkins puts in a captains performance from North Melbourne
• 8:30: Williamstown VFLW side is ticking every box put in front of them
• 11:20: INTERVIEW: Jordan Ivey; Collingwood VFLW vice-captain
• 22:10: Who will be the final 6 of the VFLW sides to play finals? 

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

With a fortnight left of the home and away season in the Rebel VFLW competition, there's 2 clear front-runners, but the chasing pack are closing quickly. Plus, Footscray have suffered their first loss of the year in the Smithy's VFL. 

Catch up on:

• 0:40: Why Gemma is #1 on the hit-list at the Whitten Oval
• 1:30: A retraction from Joey to North Melbourne's VFLW program
• 2:50: Carlton's decision to play 14 AFLW players on the weekend
• 6:50: Praise for Williamstown and Box Hill Hawks, the VFLW front-runners 
• 9:45: Weekend Heroes: A Darebin forward, a Kangaroo midfielder and 2 AFL aligned clubs who all performed above the level
• 15:30: INTERVIEW: Steve Daniel; Coach of the Southport Sharks
• 27:30: Intriguing Rebel VFLW matches and Smithy's VFL match ups this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

Three rounds remain in the Rebel VFLW season every game is going to be crucial in the run to the finals plus in the Smithy's VFL there's action aplenty across the competition. 

Catch up on:

• 1:30: Harvey Hooper leads from the front for the Borough in a historic day
• 3:30: Why Jack Henderson is one to watch from Werribee
• 5:00: The exciting football the Western Bulldogs are playing in the VFLW
• 7:00: Is Emily Eaves making a late charge at this years Lambert-Pearce Medal? 
• 9:30: INTERVIEW: Jake Batchelor; Coach of Sandringham recaps the 1-point win over Frankston at Kinetic Stadium on Saturday night
• 20:30: INTERVIEW: Isadora McLeay; Western Bulldogs ruck-forward after the Dogs claimed their sixth straight victory to push themselves into the top 2
• 27:40: Time to put a line through 2 VFLW teams in contention for finals
• 31:30: Intriguing Smithy's VFL match ups this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

With only a month remaining in the Rebel VFLW season every game is going to be crucial in the run to the finals plus in the Smithy's VFL there's action aplenty across the competition. 

Catch up on:

• 0:30: VFLW commentator Tyrone Winder unpacks Darebin's 3 straight wins
• 4:45: The importance of the AFL, VFL & VFLW participating into Sir Doug Nicholls Round
• 6:10: Why Teagan Brett is pivotal to Williamstown in the VFLW
• 8:45: After the weekend, is it time for Geelong to give Mitch Hardie an opportunity in the AFL? 
• 9:55: Joel Garner stands tall in Dreamtime at the G for the Tigers
• 12:30: INTERVIEW: Jess Jones, North Melbourne VFLW captain as the Roos moved into the top 6
• 22:00: INTERVIEW: Harvey Hooper, Port Melbourne captain ahead of the clubs 150th anniversary celebrations this weekend
• 31:00: The games you don't want to miss this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

The Rebel VFLW is heading into the final rounds, there's not a game teams can afford to drop in the run to the finals as the Falcons find their way to consecutive wins. In the Smithy's VFL, Frankston, Williamstown and Sandringham are starting to mount a case.

George Grey's name has been put forward as a genuine contender to find his way onto an AFL list in next week's mid-season draft, while we celebrate VFL boundary umpire John Cooper who this week breaks the games record for a boundary umpire. 

Catch up on:

• 0:55: North Melbourne running all over Essendon in the VFLW
• 1:30: Ange Gogos propels Darebin to a second straight win
• 3:30: Tom Downie the Williamstown hero
• 5:00: Is Nick Bryan ready to step up to Essendon's AFL team? 
• 8:20: Dom Brew, the spiritual leader of Werribee 
• 10:10: INTERVIEW: George Grey; Frankston's freshest recruit ahead of the AFL's mid-season draft
• 20:50: INTERVIEW: John Cooper; VFL boundary umpire 
• 28:30: The games you don't want to miss this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

After 770 days, the Darebin Falcons are victorious! 28 straight losses came to an end at Genis Steele Oval on Saturday against Carlton. Following that, the Northern Bullants pulled off a great heist to come from 28 points down to beat Collingwood for their first win of the season, cutting a run of 16 straight losses. 

Catch up on:

• 2:30: Luke Parker's 65m torpedo to win the game for Sydney
• 3:30: Emily Tassiopoulos was instrumental for Essendon in the VFLW 
• 4:40: Brooke Sheridan signed by the Bombers AFLW program
• 6:55: INTERVIEW: Caitlin Bunker & Steph Simpson; Co-Captains of Darebin Falcons
• 22:10: Stu Horner kicks the matchwinner for Box Hill in his 50th game
• 23:40: INTERVIEW: Rohan Welsh; Coach of Northern Bullants
• 34:30: The games you don't want to miss this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

It was all smiles if you're a Collingwood fan seeing Lachie Sullivan make his AFL debut on Friday night after toiling away with the Scray. Speaking of the Scray, Trent Bianco is our headline guest after the Dogs moved to 4-0 to start 2024.

We bid farewell to the Swans and the Giants in the Rebel VFLW after their invitational stint, plus the games to watch this weekend. 

Catch up on:

• 0:45: Collingwood upset the Swans in their final game of VFLW action
• 1:45: Sarah Sansonetti is Gemma's weekend performer
• 2:15: The AFL debut of Lachie Sullivan at Collingwood has got Joey beaming with pride
• 5:20: Logan Morris with Brisbane also made his AFL debut after running 13km and playing 4 quarters for the Lions in the VFL on Sunday afternoon
• 7:00: Other strong weekend performers 
• 9:30: INTERVIEW: Trent Bianco; Footscray midfielder
• 21:00: The games you don't want to miss this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

Action packed weekend of State League footy is covered off this week with plenty of standout individual performances, as the microscope goes onto a few teams. 

Catch up on:

• 1:45: Chantal Mason is a great addition to Geelong's VFLW forward line
• 2:20: Sharni Whiting moves to the top of the VFLW goalkicking leaderboard
• 3:45: Port Melbourne fall agonisingly short of their first win this year
• 4:30: The Frankston footy factory one-worth highlighting
• 6:00: Elijah Tsatas accumulates possessions with ease
• 8:10: INTERVIEW: Cambridge McCormick; GWS Giants defender
• 21:10: Final games in the VFLW for GWS & Sydney 
• 22:30: The intriguing match ups you don't want to miss this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

Geelong coach Mark Corrigan in its extended form discusses the Cats win over Brisbane on the road by 3 points. The recruitment of Shaun Mannagh to Geelong via the AFL draft, they've found another one in Tobyn Murray and hear why Mark is quite content coaching at the VFL level in his natural habitat at Geelong. 

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

After 630 days, 23 straight losses dating back to Round 19, 2022 - Coburg are back on the winners list! Jamie Cassidy-McNamara orchestrated the downfall of the Magpies to salute for the first time as coach of the Lions. 

In the Rebel VFLW season, it's another logjam on the ladder. Spots 2nd to 11th are separated by only one game, which makes every game must-watch action! 

Catch up on:

• 0:30: Coburg break their losing streak 
• 4:00: Essendon's first win of the VFLW season
• 7:00: INTERVIEW: Joel Trudgeon; Coburg Lions midfielder
• 15:50: INTERVIEW: Mark Corrigan; Coach of Geelong 
• 23:00: Jack Hutchinson with a mark of the year contender
• 26:15: The intriguing match ups you don't want to miss this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

Collingwood prevailed in a 1-point thriller on Sunday over the arch-rivals Carlton, Ben Crocker has rejoined his old-side and recaps the grandstand finish as well as celebrating the AFL sides 2023 premiership.

Plus, how the opening month of the Rebel VFLW campaign has rolled out, and why momentum is critical in the Smithy's VFL. 

Catch up on:

• 1:00: Gemma's deep-dive into how sides are using their AFLW lists in the VFLW programs
• 3:40: Lucy Cronin was forecast as Joey's weekend performer by Gemma on Saturday morning before the game
• 5:30: Sarah Lampard's performance for Casey in their win over Port Melbourne
• 7:45: Why "momentum" is so important in the Smithy's VFL 
• 9:45: Ben Crocker; Collingwood stalwart
• 22:30: The intriguing match ups you don't want to miss this weekend

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

With the Smithy's VFL having a competition wide bye, the Big V took centre stage during Gather Round against the SANFL. Despite going down by 14 points, the side was led boldly by senior coach Zane Littlejohn and Dom Brew. 

Montana Ham led the way for the Swans in their inaugural game kicking 5 goals as the captain against the Dogs, while Casey scored their first win of the season. 

Catch up on:

• 1:00: Why Joey has Zane Littlejohn as an AFL coach in waiting
• 12:00: Louis Pinnuck embodying what the Big V is all about
• 13:45: Gemma's AFLW Academy Game recap
• 14:20: Gemma's VFLW weekend heroes
• 14:40: Montana Ham; Sydney VFLW captain

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Pignataro is in Adelaide with a Gather Round edition of State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions. 

We are hours away from the return of representative footy. The VFL will face off against the SANFL. 

Nigel Carmody is our well-known VFL commentator on Channel 7, now Chairman of Selectors for the Big V joins Joey to unpack the history of State v State, and the make up of the team that will face off against the SANFL today. 

Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss a moment, a fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.