

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

Jan 1, 2023 • 47min
#59 - My Top Programming Principles
Highlights from the episode:
- Time under tension
- Remember it's all GPP
- Replace de load with intro week
- Flip your sets and reps for accumulation block
- Be fluid, adjust to suit the athlete
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Dec 29, 2022 • 5min
#195 - Peter Brukner, Chairperson at Defeat Diabetes
Highlights from the episode:
- How he started his passion for nutrition
- The effect of switching from eating sugary and high-carb foods to real foods
- What does the app Defeat Diabetes do
- His strong influencers and mentors
- Trends he notices with successful athletes

Dec 27, 2022 • 48min
#194 - Vince Kelly, Associate Professor of Sports Science, Strength, and Conditioning at QUT
Vince is an experienced High-Performance Manager with 20 years of experience in elite sport roles gained in professional football codes and Olympic sport environments. He is a highly organized and detail-oriented manager, able to prioritize and delegate tasks effectively to ensure the successful delivery of physical performance programs within a team environment. Vince is an effective leader, who encourages excellence in individuals and inspires team members to achieve their potential while working toward common performance goals.
He has extensive experience in professional elite sport across a range of sports in both the professional environment and within the state institute academy network including Commonwealth and Olympic medallists.
Leadership and managerial experience include the development of long-term strategic plans, business plans, budgetary controls, and staff supervision through key performance areas and development plans.
His areas of research interest include ergogenic aids, quantification and management of training stress, the neuromuscular and hormonal adaptations to exercise, strength and power measurement, and strength and conditioning in high-performance sports. Vince is currently completing a Ph.D., examining the efficacy of beta-alanine supplementation.
Key Topic: Resistance Priming for Gameday Performance
Highlights from the episode:
- What is resistance priming and how it's used for game day performance
- How to measure the effect of a priming session
- Key considerations for resisted primer sessions such as training age, demands of the sport, and athlete preference
- Common mistakes Strength & Conditioning staff make when programming a resisted primer session
- The difference between isometric and isotonic primer sessions
People mentioned:
- Lachlan Penfold
- Greg Muller
- Patrick Holmberg
- Kelvin Giles
- Peter Harrison
References:
Factors Modulating the Priming Response to Resistance and Stretch-Shortening Cycle Exercise StimuliResistance Priming to Enhance Neuromuscular Performance in Sport: Evidence, Potential Mechanisms and Directions for Future Research

Dec 25, 2022 • 56min
Top 10 Podcasts for 2022
Highlights from the episode:
- Intro for our 2022 Top 10 Podcasts
- 10th place - #102 - Will Hams, Co-Founder of Liminal Wellbeing
- 9th place - #180 - Jarrod Wade, AFL Pre-season loading and how to structure physical performance work in season
- 8th place - #91 - Tim Parham, Head Physio at Adelaide FC
- 7th place - #111 - Pip Taylor, Sports Dietitian Consultant | Nutrition for Sports Performance
- 6th place - #112 - Aaron Kellett, The Physical Performance Coach at Men's Cricket Australia
- 5th place - #99 - Jean-Benoit (JB) Morin, Head of the Sports Science at University of Saint-Etienne
- 4th place - #97 - Jacqui Louder, The Sport Psychologist of the Collingwood Football Club
- 3rd place - #106 - Luke Meehan, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Richmond Tigers Football Club
- 2nd place - #110 - Robert Aughey, Professor at Victoria University and Self-employed Cycling Coach
- 1st place - #101- Kevin Ball, Sport Scientist at Victoria University

Dec 22, 2022 • 5min
#193 - Darren Burgess, High Performance Manager at Adelaide Football Club
Highlights from the episode:
- Key areas of focus for developing footballers
- How small-sided games help AFL athletes
- Developing Intensity and pitch, curiosity, and inner drive
- How to be a desirable S&C coach after graduating from uni
- His pre-game routine for his athletes

Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 10min
#192 - Nick Murray, Applied Sport Science in the AFL - Everything You Need to Know
Nick is an experienced scientist with over nine years of experience in a professional sporting environment. With strong technical knowledge combined with outstanding people and relational skills, he is skilled at transforming complex data into simple insights to drive informed decision-making for key stakeholders. Nick thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented work environment and looks to utilize his strengths to improve business insights, intelligence, and decision-making outcomes.
Highlights from the episode:
- Strong influencers and mentors early on in his career
- Online resources that he recommends for sports scientist
- Non-negotiables when doing an internship at an AFL club
- What equipment and staff he would have for a sports department
- His process when deciding which metrics to measure and present
To join our Coaches Academy waitlist, visit the link below:
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Dec 18, 2022 • 28min
#58 - My 2022 Year Reflection and My Key Learnings
Highlights from the episode:
- Spotify followers' giveaways
- Our Top 10 2022 podcast episodes
- 2022 Reflections
- Big lessons for this year
To join our Coaches Academy waitlist, visit the link below:
https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/
Follow the Prepare Like a Pro podcast
iTunes: https://bit.ly/Plppodcast
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zrwJEa
Thanks for tuning in and be sure to contact us for any inquiries or to discuss advertising your brand on the Prepare Like a Pro platform

Dec 15, 2022 • 6min
#191 - Andrew Russell, High Performance Director at Carlton Football Club
Highlights from the episode:
- How to help athletes focus on what's important and handle stress
- The importance of asking lots of questions
- Important things to focus on in a new club and psychological safety
- How he organizes his priorities and notes down the important stuff
- How he refines his craft being at the top of the game for many years
To join our Coaches Academy waitlist, visit the link below:
https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/
Follow the Prepare Like a Pro podcast
iTunes: https://bit.ly/Plppodcast
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zrwJEa
Thanks for tuning in and be sure to contact us for any inquiries or to discuss advertising your brand on the Prepare Like a Pro platform

Dec 13, 2022 • 45min
#190- Nick Kane: Key principles of being a physio in the AFL & Continued development
Nick is the Physiotherapist at Essendon FC and owner of Complete Balance Physiotherapy & Pilates in Maribyrnong & Tullamarine. Holding a Master in Sports Physiotherapy from La Trobe University, he is also the Managing Director of The Sports MAP Network delivering relevant, practical, and evidence-based courses for experienced physiotherapists.
Highlights from the episode:
- People who influenced him in elite sports
- What discipline physios should start if they want to work in elite sport
- Key pillars as a physio working in elite sport
- His overarching rehab principles
- How he started Sports MAP
People mentioned:
- Meirion Jones
- Callan Jones
- Peter Blanch
- Enda King
- Jarrod Wade
- Bruce Connor
- Alex Sakadjian
- Sean Murphy
- Justin Crow
- Conor Daly
- Anthony Hogan
- Jill Cook
- Jurdan Mendiguchia
- David Rundle
- Andrew Wallis
To join our Coaches Academy waitlist, visit the link below:
https://preparelikeaproacademy.com.au/
Follow the Prepare Like a Pro podcast
iTunes: https://bit.ly/Plppodcast
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zrwJEa
Thanks for tuning in and be sure to contact us for any inquiries or to discuss advertising your brand on the Prepare Like a Pro platform

Dec 11, 2022 • 12min
#57 - My Key takeaways From a Recent Workshop with Bill Knowles
Highlights from the episode:
- Movement is medicine and earning the right to progression
- Respecting injuries are neurophysiological
- Challenging the nervous system with complex movements
- How to increase your sprinting and change in direction efficiency
- Effectiveness of track and field drilling for speed efficiency
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.
Book a FREE coaches discovery call
https://calendly.com/plp2
Follow the Prepare Like a Pro podcast
iTunes: https://bit.ly/Plppodcast
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zrwJEa
Thanks for tuning in and be sure to contact us for any inquiries or to discuss advertising your brand on the Prepare Like a Pro platform