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. 4D AGO

    Selwyn Griffith: Inside Melbourne’s High Performance System & Coaching Transition | #237

    In episode 237, Max chats with Melbourne Football Club Head of High Performance Selwyn Griffith! Selwyn takes us inside what it really takes to design and lead an AFL high-performance program during a coaching transition - from aligning with a new senior coach’s vision to preparing athletes to execute a new game style. We discuss how Melbourne adapted their program under Steven King, the importance of building robust and resilient athletes, and why training must be harder than the game. Selwyn breaks down how clubs manage high-speed running, sprint exposure, and the balance between performance and injury risk across pre-season and in-season. Selwyn also explains the realities of load management, why “it’s okay to be sore,” and how elite environments build both physical and mental resilience in players. We explore the challenges that come with coaching changes, the increased injury risk that comes with new stimulus, and how high-performance teams navigate that. We also dive into Selwyn’s journey from osteopath to one of the leading high-performance managers in the AFL, his time at the Brisbane Lions during their rise, and what it was like stepping into the role at Melbourne following a premiership - including dealing with imposter syndrome and leading at the highest level. All this and much more in episode 237 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

    51 min

  2. FEB 16

    Jackson Dennis: Inside AFL High Performance & Load Management | #236

    In episode 236, Max chats with GWS Giants Head of High Performance Jackson Dennis! Jackson takes us inside what it really takes to design and lead an AFL high-performance program - from mapping out an AFL pre-season to managing player loads across one of the most demanding seasons in world sport. We discuss what it’s like taking over an already successful program and carefully implementing your own philosophy without disrupting what works. Jackson explains how the Giants prepare for the speed and intensity of the “Orange Tsunami” brand, the balance between speed and strength, and how performance staff individualise training to build durability across a 26-week campaign. Jackson also opens up about working with elite talent, including helping integrate Clayton Oliver into a new environment and rehabbing champions like Nat Fyfe through complex injury battles. We explore what truly separates good AFL players from All-Australians - and why high-performance behaviours away from the club often make the biggest difference. We also dive into Jackson’s journey from sports science student at UWA to earning one of the 18 Head of High Performance roles in the AFL, the mentors who shaped him, and the mindset required to build a career at the elite level. All this and much more in episode 236 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

    28 min

  3. FEB 11

    Bodhi Uwland: From Rehab to Finals and The Mindset Shift Behind the Suns’ Rise | #235

    In episode 235, Max chats with Gold Coast Suns Player Bodhi Uwland for an honest and wide-ranging conversation on development, resilience, and what it really takes to make it at AFL level. We unpack the Suns’ pre-season under Damian Hardwick, the impact of new additions like Christian Petracca, and how standards, role clarity and system buy-in are shaping the group heading into 2026. Bodhi opens up on his personal journey growing up on the Gold Coast, coming through the Suns Academy, and navigating one of the most challenging periods of his career after fracturing his back in his draft year. He reflects on wearing a back brace 23 hours a day, the mental toll of an open-ended rehab, and how he earned respect while sidelined during his first year on an AFL list. The conversation also explores the value of northern academies in player development, the moment he was dropped for the first time and how he responded, and what changes when a new coach arrives with a clean slate and clear expectations. Plus, the Suns’ first-ever finals win - the emotion of that moment, and the shift from rehabilitation to genuine belief and performance at the highest level. All this and much more in episode 235 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

    32 min

  4. FEB 7

    Ivan Mitrovic: What Do NBA Scouts Really Look For in Players? | #234

    In episode 234, Max is joined by Washington Wizards NBA scout Ivan Mitrovic for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how elite talent is identified, evaluated, and projected at the highest level of basketball. Ivan takes us through his journey from growing up in Belgrade and playing across Serbia, the US, and Luxembourg, to building his own Balkan-based scouting service and earning a call-up to the NBA in 2023. He opens up on how his early playing experiences shaped his eye for the game and why scouting is about projecting who a player will become, not who they are today. We dive deep into the realities of modern talent identification - how scouting has changed with social media, NIL, and increased access to film and data, why early physical dominance can be misleading, and the traits scouts value most when assessing long-term upside. Ivan breaks down how risk is evaluated, why basketball IQ and decision-making are often undervalued, and how personality, competitiveness, and cultural fit can separate prospects at the highest level. Ivan also reflects on scouting generational talents like Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić, shares insight into Alex Sarr’s development path through Perth, and explains what NBA teams are really looking for when projecting international prospects across Europe, Australia, and beyond. A fascinating, inside look at global scouting, player development, and the decisions that shape the future of the NBA. All this and much more in episode 234 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

    25 min

  5. JAN 27

    Dan Ryan: Leadership, Standards & Building Buy-In | #233

    In episode 233, Max chats with South East Melbourne Phoenix Assistant Coach Dan Ryan for an in-depth look inside one of the NBL’s most consistent programs. Coming off a season-defining win over the Sydney Kings, Dan breaks down what that moment meant for the group, how confidence is built across a long season, and why consistency, discipline, and defensive standards remain non-negotiable. We dive into what’s driving the Phoenix’s evolution under Josh King - from defensive buy-in and role clarity to managing stars like Nathan Sobey and John Brown III, load management heading into the back end of the season, and the balance between freedom and structure on the offensive end. Dan also shares insights on player development, including the growth of Owen Foxwell, Angus Glover’s sixth-man impact, and why buy-in from the locker room is the true foundation of success. Dan takes us through his journey - growing up in Chicago, shaping his coaching foundation in the NCAA system, breaking into Division I basketball, transitioning into professional coaching in Europe, and working across Germany and Turkey before landing in the NBL. He opens up on learning the pro game, adapting to different coaching philosophies, and the core principles that translate across elite programs worldwide. All this and much more in episode 233 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

    28 min

  6. JAN 25

    Greg Vanderjagt: What Actually Changes When a Coach Gets Sacked Mid-Season? | #232

    In episode 232, Max chats with Brisbane Bullets Assistant Coach Greg Vanderjagt! Greg takes us inside the reality of professional coaching - from what actually changes when a coach is sacked mid-season, to how players and staff respond when pressure peaks. We dive into Greg’s journey, starting out as a player and how those experiences shaped the way he now coaches. He reflects on lessons learned during his playing career, the transition from player to coach, and how understanding life inside the locker room influences his approach to leadership and communication. Greg opens up on the daily demands of an professional program, managing player confidence, maintaining standards, and keeping a group aligned when uncertainty hits. He also shares insights on player development, people management, and what separates good teams from great ones over the course of a long season. Plus, we chat lessons from elite environments, what really happens behind closed doors in the coaches room, and what aspiring coaches don’t see from the outside. All this and much more in episode 232 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

    1h 6m

  7. 12/24/2025

    Matt Spangher: Coaching at the Bulldogs, Delisted to Premiership Player & Hawthorn’s Golden Era | #231

    In episode 231, Max chats with Hawthorn Head of Football Strategy and Projects Matt Spangher! Matt takes us inside his decision to leave the Western Bulldogs, who’s stood out on the track at Hawthorn so far, the standards he’s helping set, and what it really takes to build a team capable of competing for a premiership. We also dive into Matt’s journey: starting out at West Coast, navigating the highs and lows of being delisted, winning a flag with Hawthorn during their golden era, and transitioning into coaching. He shares the moment Alistair Clarkson told him he was playing in the 2014 Grand Final after a tough prelim - and the key message he took away: enjoy the week, wrap your head around it, and play with confidence. Matt opens up on his coaching philosophy at the Bulldogs, how he develops young talent while maintaining elite standards, and the behind-the-scenes work required to help a team reach its potential. Plus, he talks about his new venture with Daniel Pratt, Pocket Mentor, and the thinking behind it. All this and much more in episode 231 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/ Pocket Mentor https://www.pocket-mentor.com.au/

    43 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    Brad Lloyd: Inside Carlton, Pressure, and the Reality of List Management | #230

    In episode 230, Max sits down with former Carlton General Manager of Football Brad Lloyd! Brad takes us through what it’s really like running an AFL club at the highest level - from the inside. We unpack Carlton’s rise to a preliminary final, the expectations that followed, and how quickly momentum - and perception - can shift in football. Brad opens up on his departure from the Blues, the surreal airport press conference prior to his exit, and what it feels like facing the media when the spotlight is at its brightest. We dive deep into list management and leadership: how clubs assess risk, when to strike on big calls, and why trading future picks can be both a necessity and a gamble. Brad shares insight into working under Brian Cook, the standards required at an elite club, and how decision-making changes once you’re no longer in the building. On a personal level, Brad reflects on his own journey - growing up in Avondale Heights, fighting for opportunities as a player, transitioning into football administration, and the pride he felt watching his brother Matthew Lloyd carve out an iconic career. We also touch on how quickly things move in football, the realities of modern AFL governance, and why clarity and conviction matter more than ever under pressure. A grounded, insightful look at leadership, power, and performance inside one of football’s most demanding environments. instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/

    45 min
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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
    251
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Sporting Max