Dicko & Paps are back for Episode 97 of The Early Crow, unpacking an enormous weekend of sport — from the AFL Grand Final and NRL Finals to another massive weekend of Australian horse racing. 🐓🔥

🏆 AFL GRAND FINAL

The boys dissect the AFL Grand Final, looking at how the game unfolded, the biggest moments and just how good the contest was.

Was it “Wharfie time” that made the difference? ⚓

The lads break down where things started to fall apart for Fremantle after Brisbane hit the button. Should the Dockers have dropped a spare defender back? Or did the Lions simply move the ball too quickly for Freo to react?

Paps also gives his own perspective on losing AFL Grand Finals, reflecting on the emotions that come with falling just short on the biggest stage and what Fremantle needs to do to rebound from the disappointment.

The boys also go behind the scenes on Paps' own season, including the AFL Preliminary Final, his injury and the surgery he's undergone post-season.

🏉 NRL FINALS

Then it's over to the NRL Finals, where the Panthers and Knights produced another cracking contest.

The boys unpack the Nathan Cleary controversy, with Cleary not starting before coming onto the field and having a major influence on the game.

But despite his impact, the Penrith Panthers couldn't get the job done against Newcastle.

🐓 Then it's onto the Roosters vs Dolphins, with the Roosters finding a way to progress and keep their finals campaign alive.

🐎 EYES ON PONIES

The racing chat kicks off with the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill, where Warwoven produced a huge performance to claim the $1 million three-year-old feature.

Warwoven, trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Rachel King, defeated St Gotthard by 3¼ lengths, with Under Focus third

The boys pick apart the race, what it means for the three-year-old spring crop and where these horses could head next.

The lads also go through the Mornington meeting, with a look at some of the horses that caught the eye on the AFL Grand Final Day card.

The meeting featured the R.M. Ansett Classic over 2400m, alongside a strong card of metropolitan-quality racing.

Among the winners was Veyepee, who took out the 1600m Benchmark 84, while Tsarine, Piastri and Savitri were also among the day's winners

And then we get to the performance that had everyone talking...

JIMMYSSTAR. 🚀

The veteran sprinter produced an absolute last-to-first demolition job in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield, charging from the back of the field under Ethan Brown to defeat Extragalactic and Charm Stone

It was Jimmysstar's fourth Group 1 victory and his first win since the CF Orr Stakes, with blinkers added for the Manikato.

The boys break down the performance, whether we've just seen Jimmysstar return to his absolute best and what the win means heading further into the spring.

AFL Grand Final fallout. NRL Finals. Warwoven. Mornington. And Jimmysstar flying from the clouds.

It's all on Episode 97 of The Early Crow Podcast. 🐓🔥

Sit back, relax and tune in.

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The boys break down the big moments from the footy, look ahead to Sydney vs Fremantle at the SCG, and then turn their attention to the ponies with the Run To The Rose and Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes taking centre stage.

🏉 AFL FINALS

The Fremantle Dockers got the job done against Geelong, but was it a case of Geelong being disappointing — or simply being beaten by a better team on the night?

Paps gives his thoughts on the game, including the controversial and incredible Dempsey goal and everything that came with it. 👀

Then it's over to Brisbane vs Adelaide, where the Lions absolutely turned it on to book their spot in the next stage of the finals.

And while Adelaide's season came to an end, the boys pay tribute to Tex Walker following what looks to be the final game of a legendary Adelaide Football Club career. 🫡

🔴⚪ Sydney vs Fremantle

Then we look ahead to Friday night's massive clash:

Sydney Swans 🆚 Fremantle Dockers

📍 SCG
🌡️ 23°C
💨 Light winds
🌙 Friday night football

Could you ask for anything better?

The boys preview the matchup and discuss what Sydney needs to do to keep their September campaign alive.

🐎 EYES ON PONIES

Two elite meetings means plenty to talk about, starting with Flemington and the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.

🔥 How good is Sheza Alibi?

🤔 What do we do with Streisand?

👀 Is Oliveanotherday a myth — or do we forgive?

📕 And most importantly, which horses are we following out of Flemington?

The boys go through the big performances, horses to follow and what the results could mean as we head deeper into the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival.

Then it's off to Rosehill for the Run To The Rose, with the boys looking closely at Warwoven.

Was the performance good enough to follow going forward?

What did we actually learn from the race?

And which horses could be worth keeping on the radar for their next start?

And of course, we couldn't finish without having a little look into the future...

👀 Is there a $101 futures bet worth having for the weekend?

It's all on Episode 96 of The Early Crow Podcast.

Sit back, relax and tune in. 🐓🔥🐎

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🎙️ The Early Crow Podcast – Ep. 95 | “Momentum”

Paps, Dicko & Pratty are back for Episode 95 of The Early Crow, and after one of the greatest wins in Sydney Swans history, there is plenty to get through this week! 🐓🔥

From a massive weekend of AFL Finals to some outstanding racing performances at Sandown and Randwick, the boys are rolling with plenty of momentum.

Where do we even start?

🦢 AFL – One of Sydney's Greatest Wins

The lads deep dive into the Sydney Swans' incredible AFL Finals win over the Brisbane Lions, with the Bloods producing one of their most memorable performances in recent history.

Paps gives us an inside look at what made the win so special, breaking down the game, the emotion around the group and the performance that helped send the Swans through to a home preliminary final.

And of course, we had to get to the bottom of one of the biggest mysteries of the day...

🎧 What does Justin “The Cruss” McInerney actually do on the bench with those headphones on?!

🏉 AFL Finals – The Rest of the Weekend

The boys also cast their eyes across the other massive games from the AFL Finals weekend.

⚡ The Hawks getting the job done over the Dockers in WA.

🐱 Geelong putting on a clinic in the second half.

🔴🔵 Adelaide stepping up when it mattered to get over the Western Bulldogs.

With September footy heating up, the lads discuss the big performances, key moments and what it all means heading into the next stage of the AFL Finals.

🏇 Eyes On Ponies – Sandown & Randwick

Then, as always, we turn our eyes to the ponies! 👀🐎

It was a massive weekend of Australian racing across Sandown and Randwick, with some serious performances putting themselves firmly on the radar for the spring.

The boys discuss:

🔥 Ka Ying Rising
🌟 Tempted
🐎 My Gladiola
💪 Lindermann

From Group racing performances to spring carnival implications, Paps, Dicko & Pratty break down the horses that impressed them most and what could be next for some of the biggest names in Australian racing.

Sit back, relax, and tune in. 🍻🐎🏉

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18+. Think about what you are really gambling with. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamlinghelponline.org.au