Will Faulkner - Fox Footy (08.06.2026)

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
This episode is brought to you by Verst. Guys wear that guys wear. This Father's Day Verst has something for dads who can activate vacation mode anytime, anywhere. The Verst Resort Collection. First it's tall enough for a tropical getaway or a well-earned staycation. For dads who turn a grill into a buffet with a click of the tongs, a backyard into a water park with just a sprinkler, and are definitely not asleep on the couch.
They're resting their eyes.
Verst. Fit for dads. Only at Dix.

**SPEAKER_2** (0:30)
No one goes to Hanks for his spreadsheets. They go for a darn good pizza. Lately, though, the shop's been quiet. So, Hank decides to bring back the $1 slice. He asks Copilot in Microsoft Excel to look at his sales and costs, and help him see if he can afford it. Copilot shows Hank where the money's going, and which little extras make the dollar slice work. Now, Hanks has a line out the door. Hank makes the pizza. Copilot handles the spreadsheets. Learn more at m365copilot.com/work.

**Mark Duffield** (1:00)
And Will Faulkner. Will Faulkner. Oh, he's finally getting a run on now.

**SPEAKER_4** (1:03)
So we've been kind of watchable a couple of times. Yeah, because he's a good operator.

**Mark Duffield** (1:10)
Tim Gossage giving Will Faulkner the seal of approval. He joins us on the show now. Fox Footy's Will Faulkner. How are you going, Will?

**Will Faulkner** (1:17)
Good. Thank you, Duff. How are you? Good to be back.

**Mark Duffield** (1:20)
Mate, what's the weather like ahead of the big freeze? Are the sliders going to be climbing out of the water and getting even chillier, or is it nice and balmy over there?

**Will Faulkner** (1:30)
I think they're going to be chilly climbing up the slide, and then they're going to be even more cold getting in it. It is absolutely freezing here in Melbourne today, but it's very sunny. There's not a cloud in the sky, so it should be good conditions for a good game of the G, I think.

**Mark Duffield** (1:44)
It's likely to be the biggest big freeze game yet, isn't it? Given that it's the one in the immediate aftermath of the passing of the great Neil Danaher.

**Will Faulkner** (1:53)
Oh, absolutely. I mean, you know, it's well documented as to how much Neil Danaher is loved by the AFL community and what he and his family have been able to do, and the broader community as well, which is for everything MND. So I think it's fitting that this year, being the 12th rendition, that will be the biggest one yet. We've also, it should be, you know, on the field should be a very close game as well. We've got Melbourne and Collingwood at two similar points to the latter, and, you know, similar points to play for today. So it should be an excellent occasion. As I said, we're glad the weather's come out today in full force in Melbourne, because that's definitely the respect this game deserves today.

**Mark Duffield** (2:27)
What sort of crowd are we expecting at the G today, Will?

**Will Faulkner** (2:30)
Oh, I mean, we got 76,000 last night at Essendon Carlton, you know, two teams at the bottom end of the ladder. So I'd hope for two teams in the top half. And as we said, with the big occasion surrounding the 12th MND game, I'd be hoping we'd be touching 80, 85
You never know sometimes with the Melbourne Faithful, but they've been good this year, and Collingwood fans always turn out. So hopefully we're getting closer towards 90 if we're being really optimistic. It deserves that crowd today, but it should be well up towards that figure.

**Mark Duffield** (2:59)
Yeah, I'd love to see it go over 90 I think Neil deserves that. I think the effort that he put in, the incredible courage and stoicism he showed in the face of the beast is, it would be great if people turned up for him today, I think. Hey, steel side bottom being managed for Collingwood, is this a form thing or just looking after an old body?

**Will Faulkner** (3:22)
I think we're looking after an old body just this week. They have come off a little bit of a longer break, obviously, with the Monday game, but it gives a great opportunity for mid-season drafter, Mitch Podhasky, Harry Thurman and Jack Lord to come back in. So I think we'll say managing at this point for this season, because still it will be interesting to see if he comes back into the fold next week. There are a couple of big performers. Ned Long, who's dropped out of the side as well, had a very big game in the VFL, so there might be some competition for him to come and get that spot back.