In the Pocket - Presented by Palmerbet
AFL Round 24 2026
Matty and Spida are back for Round 24 of In The Pocket, and with just one round remaining before the introduction of the AFL finals series, the pressure around the competition has hit an all-time high. Fremantle has officially secured the minor premiership and remains the team everyone is chasing, while Sydney, Brisbane, Hawthorn, Melbourne and Geelong continue to jostle for crucial finals positioning. With spots still to be decided and momentum becoming increasingly important, every result is carrying enormous weight as September draws closer. The boys unpack all the major talking points from Round 23, including Fremantle's important win over Adelaide that locked away top spot on the ladder, Brisbane's continued surge with a convincing victory over Gold Coast, and Melbourne's 76-point demolition of Port Adelaide as the Demons sent a strong reminder of their finals credentials. They also dive into Geelong's fifth straight win after an entertaining shootout against North Melbourne and Sydney's comfortable victory over Essendon as the Swans continue to build form at exactly the right time.As always, Spida delivers his trademark no-nonsense take on the competition, breaking down which clubs are peaking heading into the finals and which contenders still have concerns. With Fremantle securing the minor premiership, Sydney continuing to find another gear, Brisbane piling on wins and Geelong charging into September form, the boys debate who poses the biggest threat to the Dockers when the finals arrive. There's also plenty of focus on the race around the edge of the top eight. Collingwood strengthened its position despite a hard-fought draw with Hawthorn, while Geelong's recent hot streak has elevated the Cats into genuine contender status. Adelaide now faces added pressure after consecutive defeats, and the Bulldogs' draw with Carlton leaves both clubs facing an anxious wait as they battle to keep their finals hopes alive. The boys also discuss the two draws from Round 23, one between Hawthorn and Collingwood and the other between Carlton and the Western Bulldogs, and what those results mean for the ladder heading into the final week of the home-and-away season. With so little separating a number of clubs fighting for position, percentage, form and momentum have become just as important as premiership points.Looking ahead to Round 24, Matty and Spida preview one of the biggest weekends of the season, with finals seeding, top-four finishes and wildcard positioning all on the line. They examine the key matchups that could shape September, discuss which teams are under the most pressure to perform, and assess who has the form and confidence to launch a genuine premiership campaign. With clubs making their final push before finals begin, there is no shortage of storylines right across the competition.To wrap things up, the boys lock in their tips for every game and reveal which teams they believe are best positioned heading into the finals. If you're after all the biggest AFL talking points, ladder analysis, finals projections and plenty of strong opinions, In The Pocket has everything you need heading into a massive final round of the home-and-away season.
