Sporting Max

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 N...

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...

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 d...

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 hi...

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...

Australia are 2–0 up in the Ashes and heading to Adelaide in a position of real authority while England are left searching for answers as Bazball comes under its heaviest scrutiny yet. I sat down with cricket writer and broadcaster Peter Lalor to unpack where the series is really at. We break down Joe Root’s long-awaited century in Australia, why it mattered, and how he’s quietly become the standa...

Australia tighten their grip on the Ashes, and the second test has shifted the series from intrigue to authority. Bazball, once the great disruptor, is now being labelled dead - exposed by pressure, preparation, and a growing gap between the two sides. I sat down with Code Sports' Dan Cherny to unpack what this result really tells us. We break down why England’s fearlessness has faded, how over-tr...

In episode 229, Max chats with high-performance and leadership expert Damien Taylor! Damian takes us through through purpose, values, and what makes great teams tick. He breaks down why preparation builds confidence, how elite teams stay aligned under pressure, and the simple “hot wash” method he uses with leaders, athletes and organisations around the world. We explore the biggest gaps in modern...

In episode 228, Max chats with Western Bulldogs Assistant Coach Daniel Pratt! Daniel takes us through his coaching trip to the US - spending time with the Cleveland Browns, Guardians, Cavs, Detroit Lions and Tigers - who’s lit up the track so far, and what the Dogs need to do to become a premiership team. We dive into his journey: starting out under Dani Laidley at North Melbourne, getting deliste...

Australia takes a 1–0 lead in the Ashes, and the first Test in Perth had everything - chaos, brilliance, and a statement performance from Mitchell Starc that puts him within touching distance of Wasim Akram on the all-time list. I sat down with former Australian Test spinner Bryce McGain to break down one of the most dramatic Ashes openers we’ve seen in years. We unpack Travis Head’s electric walk...

In episode 227, Max chats with Melbourne Stars GM Max Abbott! Max takes us through how the club managed to retain a core of superstars in Haris Rauf and Tom Curran, the strong start to the WBBL season, the greatness of Annabel Sutherland, and how committed Glenn Maxwell is to the success of the Stars. He takes us inside the club’s mindset heading into BBL15 - the hunger to finally lift the trophy,...

In episode 226, Max chats with West Coast Eagles High Performance Manager Phil Merriman! Phil takes us inside his move from Fremantle over the off-season, why West Coast is one of the most exciting young groups in the AFL, and what it actually looks like to develop a large cohort of emerging talent all at once. From starting out in hockey, to being shaped by two of the best in the business - Andre...

In episode 125, Max chats with West Coast Eagles Head of Development Jamie Maddocks! Jamie shares the expectations for the year ahead and what a successful 2026 looks like for the Eagles. We dive into the challenge of developing a large group of young players simultaneously, the role of storytelling in teaching high-performance habits, and why surrounding emerging talent with strong senior leaders...

In episode 224, Max chats with the CEO of PGA Australia Gavin Kirkman! Gavin shares his journey from starting out in retail, to working at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, and eventually stepping into the role of CEO of PGA Australia. We chat about the Australian PGA Championship, the upcoming Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, and the realities facing professional golf in Australia - from player s...

In episode 222, Max chats with Head of TGI Cricket Simon Auteri! Simon gives us a rare look inside the England camp, where he represents Head Coach Brendon McCullum, and shares the mindset that’s shaped England’s resurgence. He also reflects on his journey - from learning the ropes in Andy Murray’s management team during the tennis star’s rise, to launching his own talent agency, and eventually co...

In episode 222, Eddy Cornes jumped on for a huge chat breaking down the AFL Trade Period and the opening week of the NBA season. We unpack the mechanics behind the failed Zach Merrett move to Hawthorn - Essendon’s media strategy, whether the Hawks should’ve given up more, and what it all means for both clubs. Plus, we talk Clayton Oliver’s situation, Eddy’s concerns for GWS, and the growing noise...

In episode 221, Max chats with Perth Wildcats GM Danny Mills! From starting out at the AIS, to playing college basketball and coaching in Italy, Danny’s career has spanned continents and cultures. He shared what it was like going from Europe to the NBA, earning a role with the Bakersfield Jam in the D League before joining the Philadelphia 76ers as a scout - eventually becoming Director of Scoutin...

In episode 220, Max chats with the AFL's Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney! We went deep on the laws of the game, umpire contact, holding the ball, and how to stay calm with 100,000 fans roaring behind you. Stephen shares how content he is with the current Brownlow Medal adjudication process, whether umpires could soon have access to stats, and how the interpretation of holding the ball has evo...

In episode 219, Max chats with North Queensland Cowboys Assistant Coach Justin Morgan! Justin takes us through his early playing days - including his “welcome to the NRL” moment and scoring a try on debut - before representing Wales at a Rugby League World Cup. From there, he shares the journey that took him to Europe, transitioning into coaching and being headhunted by Hull Kingston Rovers, where...

In episode 218, Max chats with Geelong Cats President Grant McCabe! Grant takes us through his journey that bridges football, leadership, and high performance - both on and off the field. Growing up in Geelong before studying Aerospace Engineering, Grant went on to forge a remarkable corporate career with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), shaping his approach to leadership and culture along the way....

In episode 217, Max chats with South East Melbourne Phoenix Owner Romie Chaudhari! Romie takes us through constantly moving around the US as a kid, to building a property empire in LA, and now leading one of the NBL’s most ambitious clubs. Romie opens up on how growing up moving around the US shaped an emotional detachment from his business ventures - something he says has been both a strength and...

In episode 216, Max chats with New Zealand Breakers GM Dillon Boucher! Dillon takes us through how the Breakers are reconnecting with their origins - bringing back core Kiwi talent and redefining what it truly means to be a Breaker. We dive into his early playing days in the NZNBL, his time with the Breakers before being told he was no longer required at the club he loved, and the journey that fol...

In episode 215, Max chats with GWS High Performance Boss Nick Poulos! Nick unpacks managing sore bodies, timing a run into finals, and building genuine trust and respect between players and the high-performance team. Nick’s story is one of the most incredible in Australian sport - from his early days as a rugby player and 400m runner, to coaching professional rugby internationally in Tonga and Qat...

In episode 214, Max chats with Chicago Bulls Assistant Coach Damian Cotter! From growing up in Ferntree Gully to the bright lights of the NBA, Damian shares his journey -becoming Knox head coach at just 28, leading the Sydney Kings, and the lessons he learned after being sacked just 12 games in. He opens up on rediscovering his love for coaching alongside Brendan Joyce with the Opals, the call tha...

In this episode of the Business Series, Max chats with Kai Bloomfield, founder of Trainstop, the modern way of recruiting athletes. Kai shares how his entrepreneurial mindset led to the creation of Trainstop, the process of turning an idea into a live app, and how they’re engaging younger athletes through camps and off-season training. From starting out as an intern at Collingwood in 2018 to launc...