Sporting Max

Sporting Max
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Our host Max Becker takes us on the journey of the lives of sporting stars, their careers, struggles, growing up and of course a few laughs along the way!

  1. Aug 24

    Angus Brandt: The Return to Perth | #267

    In episode 267, Max chats with Perth Wildcats champion Angus Brandt! After seven years playing overseas, Angus is back in the NBL and back where it all began, returning to Perth for the first time since winning two championships with the Wildcats. We dive into why the time was finally right to return to Australia, why the opportunity with Perth was “too good to turn down,” how the move came together in just four days, and the family reasons behind his decision to come home. Angus also opens up on his role with the Wildcats heading into NBL27, backing up Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., what he can bring to the group, and why winning another championship is now his number one priority. Plus, we discuss spending seven seasons in Japan, the pressure and responsibility of playing as an import, how his game has developed overseas, playing all 60 games last season, why age is “just a number on a page,” and his desire to potentially spend another two or three years playing in the NBL. Angus also takes us inside reuniting with Jesse Wagstaff seven years later, the championship expectations that come with playing for Perth, John Rillie’s messaging to the group, and why defence needs to become a pillar of the Wildcats if they are to contend for another title. A fascinating conversation on returning home, life in Japan, longevity, family, championship ambitions, the Perth Wildcats, and what comes next. All this and much more in episode 267 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  2. Aug 18

    Damian Cotter: Japan’s NBA Ambition, Yuki Kawamura & His Coaching Future | #266

    In episode 266, Max chats with Australian basketball coach Damien Cotter! After spending the 2025-26 season on the coaching staff of the Chicago Bulls, Damien reflects on his time inside the NBA, working alongside Billy Donovan, coaching Josh Giddey, and the experiences that shaped an unforgettable year in Chicago. We dive into Giddey’s development throughout the season, what makes him such a unique player, the inner workings of an NBA coaching staff, working with Yuki Kawamura, and the lessons Damien takes away from his time with the Bulls. Damien also takes us inside his new role leading B.League United, the ambitious plan to develop Japan’s next generation of talent, the differences between player development in Japan, Australia and the NBA, and what he wants to achieve with the program. Plus, Damien opens up on his coaching future, revealing he has spoken with Australian and Chinese clubs, his conversations with Billy Donovan about potentially working together again, why he is taking his time choosing his next opportunity, and why his next job could ultimately be his last. A fascinating conversation on life inside the NBA, player development, coaching, international basketball, Josh Giddey’s growth, and what comes next. All this and much more in episode 266 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  3. Aug 13

    Angus Glover: Three ACLs, Two Championships & the Comeback | #265

    In episode 265, Max chats with South East Melbourne Phoenix star Angus Glover! From three ACL reconstructions and being told to retire from basketball to becoming a two-time NBL champion and representing the Australian Boomers, Angus reflects on the incredible highs and lows that have shaped his career. We dive into tearing his ACL at the Nike Hoop Summit, being surrounded by future NBA stars including RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his dad donating his hamstring for his third ACL reconstruction, the emotional journey back to basketball, and what it meant to finally pull on the green and gold. Angus also takes us behind the scenes of the Sydney Kings’ back-to-back championships, Chase Buford’s impact on the group, the pressure of Game 5 in front of 18,000 fans, his famous off-the-backboard dunk, playing alongside LaMelo Ball, and the difficult final season in Sydney that ultimately led him to South East Melbourne. Plus, we discuss the Phoenix’s championship ambitions heading into NBL27, Josh King’s impact, embracing the Sixth Man role, the infamous halftime spray that sparked a huge comeback, and what South East Melbourne needs to take the next step after consecutive semi-final appearances. A fascinating conversation on resilience, championship success, overcoming adversity, confidence, team culture, and making the most of every opportunity. All this and much more in episode 265 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  4. Aug 3

    Claudia Brassard: Inside the Tasmania Jewels | #264

    In episode 264, Max chats with inaugural Tasmania Jewels head coach Claudia Brassard! From representing Canada at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games to winning WNBL championships as both a player and coach, Claudia reflects on the experiences that have shaped one of the most respected coaching careers in Australian basketball. We dive into the opportunity to build the Tasmania Jewels from the ground up, creating a destination club, the importance of recruiting people before players, developing a high-performance culture, leadership, accountability, and the values that will define the inaugural WNBL season. Claudia also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Sydney Olympics, earning a professional contract while backpacking through Australia, helping save the Townsville Fire, winning WNBL championships, working alongside Scott Roth, and what separates good teams from championship-winning teams. A fascinating conversation on leadership, culture, high performance, team building, and what it takes to create sustained success. All this and much more in episode 264 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  5. Jul 30

    Alicia Lucas: Inside Australia's Olympic Rugby Sevens Gold | #263

    In episode 263, Max chats with Australian Rugby Sevens legend and Olympic gold medallist Alicia Lucas! From growing up in Wagga Wagga to receiving a life-changing letter from Rugby Australia, Alicia reflects on her incredible journey from touch football to becoming one of Australia's most decorated Rugby Sevens players and an Olympic champion. We dive into Australia's historic Rio 2016 gold medal campaign, the mindset that transformed the program into the world's best, what Tim Walsh did to build a championship culture, the famous "they fear the black jersey" comment before the Olympic final against New Zealand, and what it was like competing on sport's biggest stage. Plus, Alicia shares the challenges of learning rugby from scratch, the sacrifices required to become a full-time athlete, life inside the Olympic Village, returning to elite sport after motherhood, transitioning into coaching and commentary, and the lessons she's learned throughout an extraordinary career. A fascinating conversation on high performance, resilience, leadership, Olympic success, and what it takes to build a championship mindset. All this and much more in episode 263 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  6. Jul 27

    Simon Madden: The Truth About Essendon's Future | #262

    In episode 262, Max chats with Essendon legend Simon Madden! From debuting for Essendon as a 16-year-old to becoming one of the greatest players in AFL history, Simon reflects on the defining moments of his remarkable career, the lessons behind the Bombers' premiership dynasty, and what the club must do to return to sustained success. We dive into Essendon's coaching search, why James Hird should earn the role through the process, what the next senior coach must get right, building a winning culture, and the leadership philosophies that shaped one of the AFL's most successful eras under Kevin Sheedy. Plus, Simon shares behind-the-scenes stories from the 1984 and 1985 premierships, the famous $550,000 Sydney Swans offer that nearly changed football history, the supplements saga, overcoming adversity, and the mindset that helped him build one of the greatest careers the game has seen. A fascinating conversation on leadership, culture, resilience, success, and what it truly takes to build a great football club. All this and much more in episode 262 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  7. Jul 22

    Damien Austin: How the Brisbane Lions Built a Dynasty | #261

    In episode 261, Max chats with Brisbane Lions Head of High Performance Damian Austin. From rebuilding the Brisbane Lions into a premiership team to managing elite athletes through the biggest moments of their careers, Damian provides a rare insight into what it takes to build a high-performance environment in the AFL. We dive into the Lions' rise from the bottom of the ladder to the 2024 premiership, the philosophy behind creating a winning culture, why relationships matter more than data, the club's remarkable turnaround after a 2–5 start, and the mindset that drove sustained success. Plus, Damian shares behind-the-scenes stories on Lachie Neale's race against time to play in the Grand Final, the famous GWS finals comeback, developing young players, and the lessons he's learned across more than three decades in elite sport. A fascinating conversation on leadership, high performance, resilience and building championship teams. All this and much more in episode 261 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

  8. Jul 15

    Joel Khalu: Inside the Illawarra Hawks' Championship Culture | #260

    In episode 260, Max chats with Illawarra Hawks Assistant Coach Joel Khalu! From growing up in Cairns and discovering basketball as a teenager, to playing college basketball in the United States, leading programmes across Australia and Papua New Guinea, and helping guide the Illawarra Hawks to an NBL championship, Joel's journey is a remarkable story of persistence, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to developing people through basketball. Joel takes us inside the Hawks' championship-winning culture, reflecting on the challenges of defending a title, integrating JaVale McGee into the roster, the leadership of Tyler Harvey, and the standards that helped build one of the NBL's best teams. We also dive into his coaching philosophy, the influence of mentors including Justin Tatum, why authenticity has become the foundation of his leadership style, and the lessons he's taken from coaching at every level of the game. Plus, Joel shares fascinating stories from his time leading the Papua New Guinea national team, founding the Hoop Dreaming Project, working throughout Indigenous communities in Far North Queensland, and how basketball has become a vehicle for creating opportunities and changing lives. A fascinating conversation on leadership, high performance, player development, culture, resilience, and building winning basketball programmes. All this and much more in episode 260 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

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About

Our host Max Becker takes us on the journey of the lives of sporting stars, their careers, struggles, growing up and of course a few laughs along the way!

Information

  • Creator
    Sporting Max
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    281
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Sporting Max

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