Shaun's career in the AFL speaks for itself, playing 407 games of professional football, the 5th most ever in the history of the AFL and the 1st indigenous player to have ever played over 400 games. He is a x4 premierships player, winning 3 with Hawthorn Football Club and 1 with Port Adelaide Football Club.

Since retiring at the end of 2021, he has transitioned into media where he now finds himself on Channel 7 and triple M commentating the AFL matches, as well as working in multiple positions at Port Adelaide such as Indigenous Liaison officer, Football Service officer, and Community Ambassador.

On today’s show, whilst we speak a lot about football in this podcast, this chat is more about the inner mindset of a football player and the inner workings of an elite football club. Shaun was recruited in 2009 to the  Hawthorn Football Club,  and the club under the leadership of Alistair Clarkson, built a dynasty, winning 4 premierships over 8 years. We talked about the high-performing culture the club created, the meaning of living and breathing the values within a football club context, and the absolute obsession with giving and receiving feedback.  

We also deep-dived into Shaun's own mindset, and how he grew from a pretty easy-going teenager who had just been drafted to becoming elite with his habits and behaviors, his application, his mental state, and how he managed through the ups and downs of injury, how he kept himself in the best possible position they play week in and week out, and finally how he managed to be a husband and father of 4 whilst playing at the highest level for 20+ years.  

Shaun also shared with us :

• His journey and the importance of his family in his career - Wife and 4 kids
• His learnings as a player and the influence of his coaches in his life
• How was the process of Changing club and the importance of the values and culture of the club
• Importance of Leadership, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Reconciliation Path
• Culture change in the club - Women can now play
• How he learned to trust others

Books  mentioned in this episode:

• Silk Football, Family, Respect  By: Shaun Burgoyne, Martin Blake 

Where to find  Shaun Burgoyne:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter

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Say hello to our host Daniel Franco on LinkedIn.