

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

May 21, 2023 • 13min
#78 - Local Senior Football Strength & Conditioning Advice
Highlights from the episode:
- Start preseason in January
- Complete 80% of your training sessions
- Rest every 8 to 10 weeks
- First session should be a flush run
- Hamstring strengthening and lengthening
Are you ready to enhance your coaching? Uncover the strategies to build a thriving online platform, liberating yourself from the time-for-money constraints while pursuing a career as an AFL S&C coach.
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May 18, 2023 • 5min
#235 - Luke Meehan, Physical Performance Manager at Richmond Football Club
Highlights from the episode:
- How he met Loris Bertolacci
- How to get the most out of your internship
- People who influenced his career
- How his philosophy change on how a footballer should prepare for a game
- His life motto

May 16, 2023 • 59min
#234 - Peta Carige, Consultant Performance Sports Dietitian
Key Topic: How to periodize for different energy needs depending on the sport and athletes
Highlights from the episode:
- What is periodization and how it relate to nutrition for athletes
- Nutrition difference between endurance athletes and power athletes
- Common mistakes athletes make when it comes to their nutrition
- Best recovery foods and supplements for athletes
- Adjusting athlete's nutrition plan during competition season versus off-season

May 14, 2023 • 3min
#77 - How to Train for Your AFL Playing Position
Highlights from the episode:
- Midfielder position training
- Inside mid-position training
- Midforward and speed defender position training
- Key forward and ruckman training
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

May 11, 2023 • 4min
#233 - Jacob van Rooyen, Melbourne FC Key Forward
Highlights from the episode:
- How he started footy and the people who influenced him
- How Jacob managed to still perform during the challenging COVID-interrupted football season of 2020
- What does his best footy playstyle look like
- His key focus during the offseason or preseason
- His gym work routine for the week

May 9, 2023 • 53min
#232 - Phill Moreland, Senior Sport Science Manager Human Performance at Royal Australian Air Force
Highlights from the episode:
- His advice for people who don't upskill themselves and stay in their comfort zone
- Performance facilities and tech they use in defense
- What their periodized annual plan looks like
- How they do rehab in defense
- Fit For Life philosophy and injury mitigation

May 7, 2023 • 7min
#76 - Top 5 Tips for Footballers Gain 5kg of muscle in less than 8 weeks
Highlights from the episode:
- Get a surplus of your caloric intake
- Eat plenty of protein
- Lift Heavy
- Get enough rest and sleep
- Hire a strength and conditioning coach

May 4, 2023 • 8min
#231 - Matthew Pell, Catapult Senior Applied Sport Scientist
Highlights of the episode:
- Matt's top tips for developing strength & conditioning coaches wanting to gain work experience in elite sport
- Matt explains the use of tactical periodization in AFL
- Successful methods he used to get buy-in for athletes who don't like the gym
- His favorite acceleration drills for athletes
- Tips and tricks to deliver a clear message during a presentation

May 2, 2023 • 34min
#230 - Scott Smith, Strength & Conditioning Coach at Melbourne Victory FC
Key Topic: How to continue to maximize athletic development while managing a condensed schedule.
In this episode, we are thrilled to have Scott Smith, the renowned strength and conditioning Coach at Melbourne Victory join us as our special guest.
Scott is a highly respected figure in the sports industry, with over 15 years of experience in strength and conditioning coaching. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the sporting world, helping them to achieve their fitness goals and reach the peak of their performance.
In this episode, Scott shares his expertise on what it takes to build and maintain a successful fitness program for professional athletes. He talks about the importance of tailoring training programs to individual needs, managing injuries, and the role of nutrition in supporting athletic performance.
Whether you are an aspiring athlete, fitness enthusiast, or simply curious about the world of sports and fitness, this podcast episode is a must-listen. So join us as we dive deep into the world of strength and conditioning with Scott Smith.
Highlights from the episode:
- How to manage in-season fatigue
- Tips and advice for coaches managing a group of athletes going through a condensed schedule
- Post-game training sessions for those who aren’t playing
- Tips for athletes managing fatigue or low motivation in season
- Favourite recovery methods for players after a game
People mentioned:
- Justin Crow
- Tony Popovic
- Adam Waterson
- Karl Dodd
- Craig Duncan
- Benjamin Vasco
- Jayden Anderson
Connect with Scott
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-smith-0448b754/z

Apr 30, 2023 • 3min
#75 - Essential Speed and Strength Training Tips for the In-Season Phase
Highlights from the episode:
- Tip #1: Hit 2 to 3 reps of your max velocity once a week
- Tip #2: Improve max strength
- Tip #3: Consistency Pays
- Key Core exercise for the week: Rotational Power throw
AFL Core Exercises:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVS4ZGBUcw0zzKEpjNKTpJiK9m8pTwqs-
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