The Footy Coach Podcast

This weeks guest is Zane Littlejohn, the current Head Coach of the Box Hill hawks in the mens VFL competition. During this episode we discuss common coaching mistakes, myths and mistakes in training, AFL coach he admires, a player who exceeded expectations and how, game day routine, favourite books and doco's and plenty more! Check it out

With the fun finished for another period of school holiday footy camps, we discuss how they went and what you can expect to do if you join in next time! 

Steve Grace is the current Head of Footy at Caulfield Grammar in Melbourne. He previously was an assistant coach at the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood football Clubs. He started out his AFL coaching journey with Fremantle football Club as development coach. He was senior coach at Oakleigh Chargers for three seasons prior to entering the AFL. During this chat we discuss his current role and how h...

Darren Reeves is the newly appointed Senior Coach of Glenelg FC in SANFL. He previously was Head of Development at North Adelaide Fc, Head Coach NT Thunder, Central districts Reserves and U18's coach and community club experience prior to that. During this episode we discuss his thoughts on midfield roles and what is required to do them well, key principals to better and more consistent footy, com...

Josh Jenkins played 149 AFL games and kicked 296 goals as a rookie drafted mature age recruit in 2010. He is now a development ruck coach at the mighty Geelong Football Club helping them to a premiership in 2022.  During this episode we discuss his journey to get drafted and how he made that happen, we discuss his current role at the cats and what makes the Geelong Football Club special. We discus...

Episode 90 I am pleased to have on Tami Roo's, meditation expert to discuss how mediation can help you in your coaching and playing but also in your everyday life. During this episode we cover how she got into meditation and the benefits she experienced to then teaching and facilitating meditation sessions. She has worked with a number of AFL clubs including Melbourne Fc, Carlton Fc, Sydney Fc and...

Aaron Greaves is the current Coaching and Performance Manager at the Carlton Football Club. For the past 10 years he has held numerous roles at Carlton, Port Adelaide and Melbourne Football Clubs from a Development Midfield/Ruck Coach to Head of player and football development.  He also did some work with the AFL umpires department. During this episode we discuss his current role and what it invol...

During this episode we discuss 4 easy things to do that will boost and help sustain your coaching performance: Sleep, nutrition, hydration and Meditation. Listen to this episode to find out how and why they will help your coaching.

In this episode I walk you through the 5 simple steps to kicking a drop punt. This is ideal if you are coaching juniors or players who are yet to master a consistent drop punt kick.  The 5 steps are: 1. Ball Grip 2. Body position 3. Eyes 4. Ball drop 5. Kicking foot Listen to this episode to hear those 5 steps explained in detail.

Sam Durdin currently play's for the Carlton Football Club and this is his second chance at AFL level. After being a highly touted frist round draft pick in 2014 (pick 16 overall) to the North Melbourne Fc, he was delisted in 2020 after playing 22 games over those 6 seasons. During this episode we discuss his journey, his time with Glenelg Fc after his stint with North Melbourne which ultimately go...

With the Christmas/New Year holiday break in full swing (it is now the 8th January as I am writing this) and we are away from our footy clubs. I thought it would be a great chance to give some tips on how players can tackle this period and set themselves up for 'success' (I am not just talking winning games). So check out this episode to find out my 6 components to get right this break.  Enjoy

In this episode I reflect on the top 10 lessons I learn't in 2022. Check it out

During this episode I share the 3 simple steps to make this your best season yet! Check it out

In this episode I discuss a 'Must Read' book that I have finally checked out called 'The War of Art' by Steven Pressfield.  The focus of the book is about doing the work that you were meant to do. To do that kind of work you will face a lot of resistance and it is about pushing back against that and doing it anyway becasue that is who you were meant to be. During this episode I discuss my key take...

Paul Griffiths is the current midfield coach for the 2022 Sandringham Dragrons premiers in the NAB League boys competition. Prior to this he has done stints as VFLW Head Coach for Carlton and AFLW line coach, VFL line coach for premiership winning Richmond Tigers (Under Craig McRae) and was a line coaching for Gary Ayres at Port Melbourne. He has also coached extensively at the community level.  D...

Jack McLean join's us as a guest this episode as part of our strength and conditioning series. He is the current Strength and Rehab coach at Melbourne Football Club and is the founder of Prepare like a Pro. During this episode we discuss strength and condition for local clubs and youth players, common mistakes with stregth and conditioning programs, a player who exceeded expectations on their athl...

For the first time we have 2 players on the show discussing their respective journeys to the draft. Geelong Falcons 2022 Captain Jhye Clark from Leopold/Queenscliffe Fc and Geelong Falcons Vice Captain Ted Clohesy from St Josephs Fc. Jhye was an All Australian U18 representative, won the MVP for Vic Coutry and also played in the U18 National Championship against Vic Metro. Jhye was the Best and Fa...

Our first repeat guest, Christina Polatajko comes back onto the show for the second time (previous EP.46 'How to coach when your team is the underdog'). During this episode we discuss her recent USA Coaching Study Tour and all the amazing insights she gained and key learnings. We also discuss the coaching courses she has undertaken in recent times and discuss her jump up to the AFLW coaching ranks...

Junior development of players is a key focus for junior football coaches. To ensure your junior players get developed having them play across all three line groups is paramount. In this episode I discuss why winning is important but not everything, why your 'best players' need to play multiple positions, why your inexperienced players will thrive in new roles, how you can implement these position...

With the offseason is full swing, new coaching roles becoming available and your attention headed towards the new season I thought it would be a great chance to discuss how we can help your coaching with our Membership: An online resource for footy coaches to make your coaching easier and better. Have a listen and check it out!

In this episode I discuss the idea of focusing on your habits and how that can manifest what you want to become more than focusing on your goals/outcomes. When attaching your identity with traits that are aligned with your goals/outcomes and creating habits that reflect those traits is where great results occur. Check this episode out for more.

Liam Cavanagh is the current head coach of the Coburg women's football team. He started this role in 2021 and in 2022 took them all the way to a Grand final. During this chat we discuss the building of his football team and the key things he did well and got right that allowed it to flourish. We discussed his key principals for better and more consistent football, AFL coach he admires, myths and m...

Graeme O'Connor is my dad and he recently passed away on 4/9/22. As a family we will all deeply miss him.  For this episode I wanted to share some of his favourite life lessons and saying's that he would constantly drill into my siblings and I along with all the people who worked with him. I hope these lessons can help all those who listen to this episode to achieve new heights.  Thanks

Brenton Sanderson played over 200 AFL games and was the Senior AFL coach of the Adelaide Football Club. He also was an assistant coach winning 3 premierships with Geelong Cats in 07,09 and 2011. During this episode we discuss a whole range of topics to what an average week looks like for a AFL coach, AFL coach he admires, common coaching mistakes, what made Geelong triple premiership team great, m...

Paul Dunn is the current Assistant defensive coach at the Northern Bullants in the VFL. Prior to this he coached at community level with Northern Saints and Greenvale, he was an developement coach with Coburg Fc and general assistant coach at Essendon VFL football clubs. During this episode we discuss his journey and key learnings, key principals for better and more consistent footy, AFL coach he...