Kick To Kick

In this week's episode, we aren't just looking ahead to the Round 7 matchups; we’re traveling back to the very first time these clubs stood across the chalk from one another. We dig through the archives to uncover the forgotten stories of the inaugural meetings that set the stage for this weekend's clashes. The ANZAC clashes, the Suns heading down to Tassie to face the Hawks, the Giants and North in the states capital, and more. 

As the dust settles on Gather Round, the 2026 season marches on with Round 6, and we are back to dig through the footy vaults. This week, we’re looking at a slate of matchups with deep historical roots and some truly bizarre origin stories. Whether it's a grudge match decades in the making or a modern rivalry still finding its feet, we’ve got the archives open and the tapes running. Grab a drink, settle in, and let’s take it back to where it all began.

As we gear up for Gather Round, we look back at the first time these teams played each other. This week, the entire AFL world descends on South Australia for a festival of footy. But before the first bounce in the Barossa or the lights go up at Adelaide Oval, we’re digging into the archives to uncover the origin stories of these Round 5 matchups. From the very first clash between the Crows and the Blues to the early days of the Suns and Swans rivalry, we explore the games that set the stage for this weekend’s blockbusters.

The stage is set, the early-season hype is meeting the reality of the grind, and the ladder is already starting to tell a story—welcome to Round 4 of the 2026 AFL Season! Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood: We travel back to 1997,  North Melbourne vs. Carlton: We return to 1925  Melbourne vs. Gold Coast Suns: We revisit 2011

The stage is set, the early-season hype is meeting the reality of the grind, and the ladder is already starting to tell a story—welcome to Round 3 of the 2026 AFL Season! The Kick to Kick Podcast is back to find the soul of this week’s matchups by obsessive time-traveling. We’re stripping away the 5G stadium tech to revisit the mud, the heritage, and the very first sparks of these rivalries. Collingwood vs. GWS Giants: We revisit Round 18, 2012, at the MCG for the first-ever meeting between the league’s oldest powerhouse and its newest expansion. It was a "welcome to the big leagues" masterclass from a prime Magpies outfit against a GWS side full of teenagers still finding their AFL feet. Fremantle vs. Richmond: We return to Round 1, 1995, for the Dockers' inaugural AFL match at the MCG. The Tigers spoiled the newcomers' debut by a mere five points, sparking a cross-continental rivalry defined by three decades of heart-stopping finishes and "what-if" moments. Port Adelaide vs. West Coast: We look back a

The overreactions are in, the ladder is moving, and the winter grind is officially here—welcome to Round 2 of the 2026 AFL Season! The Kick to Kick Podcast is back to find the soul of this week’s matchups by obsessing over the past. We’re stripping away the modern gloss to revisit the mud, the heritage, and the first sparks of these legendary rivalries. This week, we’re breaking down: St Kilda vs. Geelong: We return to Round 10, 1897, for the very first VFL-era clash between these teams. It was a gritty, low-scoring affair at Corio Oval that established Geelong's early dominance over the developing Saints. Adelaide Crows vs. Brisbane Lions: We revisit Round 5, 1997, a season where both clubs were defining their modern identities. It was a tactical masterclass by Malcolm Blight’s Crows against a newly merged Lions outfit still finding its roar. Western Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast Suns: We look back at Round 3, 2011, when a prime Robert Murphy led the Dogs against a teenage Gary Ablett Jr. and the fledgling S

The engine is warm, the cobwebs are gone, and now the real grind begins—welcome to Round 1 of the 2026 AFL Season! The Kick to Kick Podcast is back for the main event. After a high-octane Opening Round, we’re settling into the rhythm of the season by doing what we do best: honoring the future by obsessing over the past. This week, we travel back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries to see how these legendary rivalries first sparked to life. This week, we’re breaking down: Carlton vs. Richmond: We look back at the origins of the "Traditional" season opener. Before it was a Thursday night blockbuster, it was a battle for inner-city bragging rights. We retrace their first official VFL encounter in Round 1, 1908, where the Tigers made their league debut against the reigning premier Blues. Essendon vs. Hawthorn: A rivalry built on "Line in the Sand" moments. We head back to Round 4, 1925, the first time the Mayblooms (as they were then known) met the powerhouse Mosquitto Fleet, long before the blood-and-t

Dust off the boots and wind back the clock—the Kick to Kick Podcast is back for 2026!" We’re sticking to what we do best: breaking down the modern game by digging up its deepest roots. Each week, we preview the upcoming round through the lens of history, retracing the steps to the very first time these clubs met.   This week we chat about  Sydney Swans vs. Carlton  Gold Coast Suns vs. Geelong Cats   GWS Giants vs. Hawthorn  Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs  St Kilda vs. Collingwood 

We are back to quickly wrap up the 2025 Grand final, and the season itself.   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see a list of this constantly growing list click on the following link https://www.kicktokickpodcast.com/resources  

Here is our AFL Grand Final preview for the 2025 season. We'll start with our traditional Grand Final Quiz, followed by a discussion on the Demons' new coach and the Merrett trade. Then, we'll dive into the history of the Norm Smith Medal before breaking down the big game itself!   References Norm Smith Medal info thanks to Dan Eddy - https://www.daneddybooks.com/blog/y6f1hk3j8n6axr7zksbi43a49qo54r https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see a list of this constantly growing list click on the following link https://www.kicktokickpodcast.com/resources

2 weeks to go, and here we are talking about the final 4. We discuss a few things around this, are Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Brisbane the big 4? Is the AFL fair? Is equalisation working?? We talk about the history between these match ups and then we chat Brownlow Medal quickly.    References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see a list of this constantly growing list click on the following link https://www.kicktokickpodcast.com/resources    

We'll briefly recap last weekend's games before diving straight into the upcoming matches. First, we'll revisit history by looking at all four of the previous finals meetings between the Hawks and the Crows. Then, we turn our attention to the Lions vs. Suns, a first-time finals matchup. While it's a new rivalry on the finals stage, we'll still delve into the history of each expansion team's second-ever final. On top of all that, we'll be breaking down some of the greatest rivalry finals of all time.   References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see a list of this

As finals week kicks off, let's take a trip down memory lane. We'll explore the inaugural finals appearance for each of the competing teams—a journey that for some began in 1897 and for others took 30+ years (looking at you, Hawthorn). We also dive into the history of previous finals matchups between this week's contenders, discuss the latest All-Australian team, and reflect on the original team from 1991.   References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see a list of this constantly growing list click on the following link https://www.kicktokickpodcast.com/resources

Welcome to the final full round of the 2025 season! We have a lot to unpack, including a first-time matchup between the Swans and Eagles. In other games, we'll dive into the Blues' long-awaited first victory over the Same Olds, a 1908 clash where the Cats broke a 12-game losing streak, and how the Crows capped off their inaugural season in style. We'll also revisit the Power's revenge game against the Suns after a shock loss in 2011. The stakes are high for the Bulldogs, who have it all to play for against Fremantle (in 1995 and 2025), and we'll break down the thrilling matchup between the Giants and Saints at Docklands.   References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to frie

Round 23 is almost upon us. Craig Bradley leads the Blues to a great win at Football Park, while the 'Same Olds' get the better of the Saints at Junction Oval. In the Expansion Cup, the Suns are able to exact some revenge over the Giants. The Kangaroos and Hawks finally get wins over their opponents, and the Eagles and Dogs play a shootout in Perth.   References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see a list of this constantly growing list click on the following link https://www.kicktokickpodcast.com/resources

With just three weeks left until finals time, let's dive into some key historical moments from past games this week. The Hawks and Pies famously fought a long battle, while Geelong and Essendon went head-to-head in a classic 'ding-dong battle'. We also remember Wayne Schwass making his debut for the Swans, the Gold Coast Suns getting a rude shock in their first-ever game, and a huge boilover as Freo stunned Adelaide.   References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see a list of this constantly growing list click on the following link https://www.kicktokickpodcast.co

Round 21 is ahead of us, and we will be reliving their first encounter or first win against their opponents, with the Dogs and Giants game expected to come down to the last minute. The Swans will aim to achieve a rare feat at Windy Hill, while both the Hawks and Demons will be looking to extract some revenge. The Tigers are hoping to finally end their stay in Cairns with a maiden win, Collingwood will be looking to hold on at the Dome, and the Dockers will be aiming to upset the Blues.   References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see a list of this constantly gro

Looking ahead to Round 20, it seems like we have a "Rivalry Round" of sorts. This gives us a great chance to talk about the Dockers' first Derby win, the Lions getting revenge over the Suns, the Crows' comeback in the Showdown, and the Giants upsetting the Buddy welcome party. On top of that, we also have the Hawks finally beating the Blues and a remarkably spiteful match between the Cats and Shinboners. References https://themongrelpunt.com/footy-history/2021/03/16/round-one-rewinder-a-court-case-and-a-historic-first-win/ https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show, to see

With the finals fast approaching, there's still plenty to discuss, including several first-time matchups this season. We're looking forward to James Hird versus Kevin Sheedy in their inaugural coaching clash as the Bombers visit Western Sydney. A Kangaroo (and Bulldog) legend will play his final match, while the Demons celebrate cracking a ton for the first time in the VFL. The Tigers are set for revenge, the Saints have finally beaten the Cats, and the Dockers managed to stun the Pies at home. It also wasn't that long ago that the Suns secured their first win over the Crows.   References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do!

As we approach the pointy end of the season, here are our Round 18 previews and historical insights: The Lions and Blues will battle it out on the Queen's Birthday, while the Magpies aim to make their inaugural visit against the Suns a memorable one. Graham Cornes is impressed by the Crows, and Stevie J suits up for the Giants against his former team, the Cats, for the very first time. The Dockers typically struggle at Waverley, there's a shootout at Moorabbin, and the Power and Eagles are set to play a cracker of a game!     References https://afltables.com/afl/afl_index.html Old Herald Sun articles Old Age articles Trove Inside Football   The Kick to Kick Podcast are looking back at the first meeting between this weeks match-ups, trying to bring out the stories, highlights, winners, and losers of days gone by.  If you enjoy our podcast please give us a rating or leave a comment. Also, please refer us to friends and let other people know about what we do! We use a range of resources when working on our show,