Ep. 97 - Grand Final Review | The Early Crow

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.

📺 Follow & Subscribe Hit Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a weekly drop.

📲 Find us on socials: • Instagram – @EarlyCrowPod • Twitter (X) – @TheEarlyCrowPod • TikTok – @EarlyCrowPod

🎧 Listen to the full podcast: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | All major platforms

📩 Enquiries & collabs: [email protected]

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