AFL Performance Tips for Strength & Conditioning Coaches & Footballers
Prepare Like a Pro with Jack Mclean
Welcome to the “AFL Performance Tips for Strength & Conditioning Coaches & Footballers" your go-to resource for invaluable insights into the world of elite sports. We're here to empower footballers and high-performance staff with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the AFL arena. Prepare to take your game to the next level with our expert guidance.
In this podcast, we tackle a range of burning questions often asked by those striving for excellence in the AFL. From understanding the distance AFL players cover and their training regimen to breaking into elite sports as a strength & conditioning coach and exploring pathways to the AFL, we've got you covered.
Every Monday, we release a new episode that provides updates on upcoming live interviews and fresh insights from AFL players, senior coaches, sports psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports dietitians, and other leading figures in the industry. These experts share their career journeys, success stories, and practical tips for athletes and high-performance staff alike.
Don't miss our weekly live conversations on the Prepare Like a Pro YouTube channel, where you can watch these discussions and get notified about new content. For more resources, freebies, and blog posts, join our newsletter, and stay connected with us on Instagram. Your feedback matters, so let Jack know how we can make our podcasts even better and suggest the topics you'd like us to cover next.
To explore the wealth of information we offer, visit our website at https://preparelikeapro.com/, and if you're ready to take your training to the next level, join our academy membership at https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/. Get ready to prepare like a pro and unlock your full potential in the world of AFL high performance! Also don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@PrepareLikeAPro to get more high performance value!
In this podcast, we tackle a range of burning questions often asked by those striving for excellence in the AFL. From understanding the distance AFL players cover and their training regimen to breaking into elite sports as a strength & conditioning coach and exploring pathways to the AFL, we've got you covered.
Every Monday, we release a new episode that provides updates on upcoming live interviews and fresh insights from AFL players, senior coaches, sports psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports dietitians, and other leading figures in the industry. These experts share their career journeys, success stories, and practical tips for athletes and high-performance staff alike.
Don't miss our weekly live conversations on the Prepare Like a Pro YouTube channel, where you can watch these discussions and get notified about new content. For more resources, freebies, and blog posts, join our newsletter, and stay connected with us on Instagram. Your feedback matters, so let Jack know how we can make our podcasts even better and suggest the topics you'd like us to cover next.
To explore the wealth of information we offer, visit our website at https://preparelikeapro.com/, and if you're ready to take your training to the next level, join our academy membership at https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/. Get ready to prepare like a pro and unlock your full potential in the world of AFL high performance! Also don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@PrepareLikeAPro to get more high performance value!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 13, 2023 • 59min
#242 - Leigh Egger, Head of Performance at Feyenoord Rotterdam
Highlights from the episode:
- Feyenoord Rotterdam’s multi-faceted approach to performance
- How a breakfast club accelerates successful player development
- Benefits of coordinated-based movement training
- How he uses movement analysis and aerobic capacity to measure movement efficiency
- Software he uses for movement analysis
Jun 11, 2023 • 18min
#81 - AFL Plyometric Training
Highlights from the episode:
- Consider training age
- Consider your body mass
- Know your medical limitations
- Know when to do plyometric training
- Make sure you intend to move faster
Are you ready to enhance your game? Our program is designed to propel footballers, like yourself, towards greater fitness, speed, and strength, ensuring you’re fully prepared to dominate on the field!
Book a FREE footballer discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2
Jun 8, 2023 • 7min
#241 - Steve Gravina, Senior Sports Physiotherapist at Front Runner Physiotherapy and Coaching
Highlights from the episode:
- How he made his connection as a physio and move up the ranks
- Mentors who shaped Steve's career
- How he handles guys with shoulder and wrist issues
- Advice to working with big groups trying to get the best bang for their buck
- Key equipment Steve recommends including in the gym for teams with minimal budget
- Light recovery protocols Steve recommends for post-game or post-training
Jun 6, 2023 • 57min
#240 - Des Ryan, Director of Coaching and Performance at Setanta College
Key Topic: How to create a successful athletic development program.
Highlights from the episode:
- His key philosophy for athlete development in team sports
- Developing functional competency in athletes
- The significance of development windows in the program
- The perks of developing young athletes
- Importance of an integrated and holistic program
People mentioned:
- Phillip Moore
- Liam Henry
- John Toben
- Arsene Wenger
- Dan Baker
- Sean Cummings
- Colin Leu
Connect with Des:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/des-ryan-56875918/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeasunO
Jun 4, 2023 • 20min
#80 - The four key themes to planning your Football Training
Highlights from the episode:
- Training themes
- The energy of the group
- The balance between work and time away from the club
- Importance of offsite sessions
Are you ready to enhance your game? Our program is designed to propel footballers, like yourself, towards greater fitness, speed, and strength, ensuring you’re fully prepared to dominate on the field!
Book a FREE footballer discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2
Jun 1, 2023 • 7min
#239 - Dom Condo, Performance Science and Nutrition Manager at Richmond FC
Highlights from the episode:
- Nutrition advice for developing footballers
- Where to find Dom's recipes that people can follow
- Benefits of periodization
- Mentors and influencers who shaped Dom’s career
- When and what an athlete should eat during a game
- Eating window time before or after the game to not feel sick
May 30, 2023 • 52min
#238 - Nathan Kiely, Rehab and Speed Coach for Brisbane Broncos
Key Topic: A guide to speed development for NRL athletes
Highlights from the episode:
- Secrets behind maximizing speed potential in NRL athletes
- How Nathan sets position-specific strength targets to optimize athletes' roles on the field
- Common mistakes athletes make when improving speed
- What a successful speed session looks like
- Supplementary exercises for injured athletes to prepare them for sprinting on their comeback
People mentioned:
- Roger Farber
- David Boyle
- Sam Kennedy
- Graeme Morris
- Nathan Parnham
- Ross Herridge
- Dave Ballard
- Dean Benton
- Jonas Tawiah Dodoo
May 28, 2023 • 19min
#79 - 5 business tips for personal trainers and strength & conditioning staff
Highlights of the episode:
- Have a theme from a marketing point of view
- Have a consistent schedule
- Involve the community and provide free value
- Collaboration
- Retention

Are you ready to enhance your coaching business? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints.
Book a FREE business discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2
May 25, 2023 • 8min
#237 - Nik Popovic, Director of Sports Performance WBB at the University of Southern California
Highlights from the episode:
- How Nik discovered his passion for sports
- How he smashed his interview and landed his first job
- People who influenced his career
- The language barrier and Nik's work challenges in China
- What basketball opportunities for S&C in Australia look like
- What Nik believes it takes to be a successful athlete or S&C coach
May 23, 2023 • 59min
#236 - Suzy Russell, Ph.D. in Mental Fatigue in Elite Sport at The University of Queensland
Highlights from the episode:
- What mental fatigue is and how it differ from physical fatigue
- How does mental fatigue impact athletic performance
- Common signs or symptoms of mental fatigue
- Effective strategies to tackle mental fatigue
- How personality traits and coping strategies impact an athlete's susceptibility to mental fatigue
