The Footy Coach Podcast

Lewis Johnson joins the show for episode 170. Former first round draft pick for the Sydney Swans (pick 12) and Adelaide Football Club player, we discuss his experiences in AFL football, his transition into life post AFL football and his current coaching role in the SANFL with Woodville West Torrens. Lewis gives great insight into the challenge of making the transition into the 'real world' and giv...

This episode features guest Jamie Cassidy-McNamara, current Head Coach of the Coburn Lions in the VFL. During this chat we discuss a whole range of aspects of coaching including skill acquisition and the importance of planning your sessions, training skills that translate into the games, setting standards and expectations, key focus when starting a head coaching role at a new club, key principals...

If I was 16yo and playing AFL was my dream this is what I would do now! It starts with setting the goal and identifying your strengths and having the right mindset for success. From there is is all about building those skills, game knowledge, fitness, recovery habits, nutrition and hydration. It also includes being a great person, leader, teammate and getting advantages where you can! For all thos...

During this episode Joc discusses seven things you need to consider before starting to coach for the first time. They include: Why do you want to coach; Your football experience; Time commitments; Head Coach or assistant; Team demographics; Club support and people; Coaching ambitions Check it out to find out more

EP166 Joc discusses B.H.A.G. (BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS). The term originated from Jim Collins author of 'Good to Great' and 'Built to last'. Having a big long term goal (5-10+ years) was a key difference from his research into 'great' companies compared to just 'good' companies. In this episode Joc discusses how this can be applied to a Football Team and an individual player or coach. There are a...

Todd Goldstein joins the show for episode 165. Currently in his 19th AFL season, played 335 games AFL footy, Best and Fairest, All Australian and the AFL record holder for most hit outs (Over 10,000)! During this chat we discuss the role of the ruckman, ruck craft, his longevity and what an average week looks like, his draft year and the lead up, basketball and how it helped his footy, Key princip...

Neil Balme joins the show for episode 164. A 2x Premiership player for Richmond Fc, former Head Coach Melbourne Fc and legendary footy boss of Geelong and Richmond Fc during their recent premiership dynasties.  During this conversation 'Balmy' gives his insights on what it takes to lead a football department, foundation blocks of great teams, building belief amongst a team, who he sees as a succes...

David Buttifant joins us as our guest for episode 163. Former High Performance Manager for Collingwood, Carlton and North Melbourne in the AFL,  he is currently the Director of 'Resilience Builders' and the 'Keen Edge Team'. During this episode we discuss the keys to a great relationship between a High Performance manager of the club and the Head Coach; High performance for youth athletes; the fut...

Player Membership is for players who want to take their games to another level. The Membership offers tailored feedback specific to your development needs, so you’re not just practicing—you’re making progress with every session. When you join the Player Membership you will get access to all the very best of TFC. Including: Private Coaching sessions with Joc, Fundamental Skill Video Analysis and a...

This episodes guest is Chris O'Connor who has coached at Norwood Fc in SANFL and South Fremantle in WAFL among a number of coaching roles. During this episode we dive into the coaching world of today, in particular high level coaches who have not played AFL vs coaches who have played AFL. We discuss the AFL draft age and whether that is the ideal age or could it be better to draft players at a lat...

Cameron Ling is the guest for episode 160; Three Time Premiership Player, Premiership Captain, All Australian, Best and Fairest winner among many of his football achievements. We dive into a whole range of topics including his development years with the Geelong Falcons and what helped set him up for AFL success, how he trained, leadership and how he approached being captain, Bomber Thompson influe...

Episode 159 guest is Jade Rawlings. Current backline coach for the Fremantle Football Club. He was previously the Senior Coach of Norwood, winning the SANFL Premiership in 2022. He has also coached with North Melbourne, Melbourne, Brisbane and Richmond Football Club. Prior to coaching he played 148 games for Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne Football Clubs. During this chat we discuss...

Episode 158 features the current Easter Rangers u18 Girls Head Coach Jarrad Donders to the show. During this episode we discuss a whole range of coaching topics including team culture and how to create and sustain it, pre game speeches, over coaching and players retaining information, importance of player fundamental development over game structures and systems, mentors and AFL coach he admires, f...

Episode 157 guest is the current Hawthorn VFLW Head Coach Michael Ericson. During this episode we discuss a whole range aspects of coaching including his objectives during preseason games and keys to a good preseason, players seeking extra resources, his key principals for better or more consistent footy, myths and mistakes in training, AFLW coach he admires, book and doco recommendations and plen...

Episode 156 guest is Chris Muratore. He is the Richmond Football Club VFL backline coach, AFLW assistant coach and Senior Coach of Parkside Football Club - undertaking all three roles simultaneously! During this episode we dive into what it requires coaching in multiple programs, coaching backline and traits of good players, kicking technique, common coaching mistakes, key principals of better and...

Episode 155 brings Tom Cashin to the show, current VFLW Head Coach of Collingwood Football Club. During this episode we cover a lot of  ground from developing players, what successful seasons look like at VFL level, importance of having good people in your program, AFL coach who he see's as successful (former guest...), book recommendations and a heap more. Check it out!!

2025 is in full swing as we record this episode and we ask the question, what are you doing to get better as a coach this year? 

Episode 153 we welcome back Tyson Popplestone, former National level distance runner and founder of Relaxed Running. During this episode we discuss how you can become a better runner via better technique, what great running mindset looks like, better recovery and avoiding injuries, training advice and tips, offseason sessions and plenty more! Check it out

Episode 152 we feature Hamish Oligvie as our guest. He is the current National Recruiting Manager for the mighty Adelaide Crows Football Club and has been for the past 18 years. During this episode we discuss his role, what it entails and the challenging parts of it along with the best parts. We discuss his principals for selecting players and how he views potential recruits and whether they would...

Upon recently reading Bill Belichick's biography book by Ian O'Connor (which I loved) I share 6 coaching lessons that I took away and share them here. They include: 1. Work ethic 2. List decisions 3. List build and team culture 4. Game planning to win 5. Motivational talks 6. Testing coaching and team staff. Check it out (and the book too!)

This episode we get first time coach Chris Whelan on the show to discuss his learnings from this past season. Coaching the U14's at Langwarrin FC, Chris shares things he didn't know prior to coaching and how that can help you, myths and mistakes of a first time coach, common coaching mistakes, things first time coaches have to do, outside the box things that a coach needs to be aware of and plenty...

Episode 149 we continue our off season recommendation series, this time discussing coaches. Tune in and find out what we recommend you do as a coach to keep elevating our game and make next season your best one yet.

During this episode Joc discusses his four recommendations for junior players during the offseason: 1. Play a complimentary sport 2. Keep a footy in your hands 3. Get extra coaching - Footy Camps, Private Coaching 4. Don't overdo it Take a listen to hear these recommendations explained and why they are important. 

Michael Swann is the current List and Recruiting Manager of the mighty Brisbane Lions in the AFLW. Brisbane won the AFLW Premiership in 2023 and during this chat we discuss his role around list management and what it takes in the AFLW right now. We cover what the process is post season regarding list management decisions, relationship between Senior Coach and List Manager, what a typical week look...

Episode 146 we discuss the off season (September - November). Usually a 6 to 12 week span that starts after your last game of the season and finishes when your pre season starts. During this episode we look at a number of key things you can do (and not do) that will set you up for your best season yet next year. Listen to this episode to find out what these key things are!