Emergence

Brent 'Boomer' Harvey is a former AFL player for the North Melbourne Football Club, however, he isn't any ordinary player. He is in fact the AFL games record holder with an incredible 432 games across 21 seasons at the elite level. Showing remarkable durability, resilience, dedication and adaptability to improve and evolve over such a long time, the man they call Boomer is undoubtedly one of the AFL's greatest ever.

Harvey was a record breaker from his early years. From kicking 21 goals in one game as a junior footballer, to breaking three records at the national AFL testing combine for under 18 draft hopefuls and then going on to be the games record holder amongst many other accolades along the way, Harvey seemingly was destined to be a star. But, at just 175cm and 64kg when he was drafted, there were many doubters as to whether he would make it but one person was so confident that he would - himself.

Throughout our conversation, you begin to learn about and dive into the mindset of what made Boomer a champion and allowed him to have such sustained success at the top level for such a long period of time. He provides a fantastic insight into his goal setting, his self belief on the sporting field, remaining grounded and humble growing up in the suburb of Preston in Melbourne, the 'shinboner' culture of the North Melbourne Football Club, the three things he believes any person in any walk of life must possess if they are to be successful and his overriding attitude of proving them wrong.

Please enjoy this authentic and passionate discussion with Brent Harvey.

Nick Maxwell is a former AFL player and premiership captain of the Collingwood Football Club. Throughout his 204 AFL games, he developed a reputation and was respected for his leadership, endeavour, courage and loyalty and because of this has become a sought after leadership consultant who works with the Collingwood Football Club and the Melbourne Storm NRL club currently.

It wasn't easy for Maxwell though, who was initially overlooked in two national drafts and although he trained and had interest from several clubs, they chose to pass on him as well. He moved to Ballarat to study and would find his feet and begin his journey to the AFL via VFL club North Ballarat. After two seasons with North Ballarat, Collingwood drafted Maxwell as a rookie where he would fight to earn his position in the senior side over time.

Maxwell worked for everything he got throughout his career and after listening to what he had to overcome, the obstacles he faced and his approach to it, he thoroughly deserved it all.

Maxwell's story is one of persistence, belief and humility. Whatever perception you have of Nick Maxwell, let it go now because he is incredibly grounded, self aware and real.

Our conversation provides a fantastic insight into the mental approach and application Nick showed to reach his goals and how you can duplicate his mindset to reach your own. He also talks about his leadership approach throughout his playing days, dealing with the infamous 'rat pack' at Collingwood, his training habits and his surprising take on the abrupt end to his career.

Please enjoy this open and honest conversation with Nick Maxwell.

Andy Collins is a former AFL player and champion of the Hawthorn Football Club and post his playing days has enjoyed a successful and decorated coaching career at AFL and State League levels and is the current coach of the Williamstown Football Club. Collins has a reputation for success and understands how to build it.

Collins had an outstanding playing career at both Sandringham Football Club in the VFA where he was a Premiership Player in 1985 before being recruited by Hawthorn Football Club where he would go on to play 212 games, win three AFL premierships, win a best and fairest and finish 5th in the Brownlow Medal in 1990.

As a coach, Collins had stints at AFL level early on in his coaching career but has really made his name and established himself as one of the best coaches in the country at state league level. Coaching in both the VFL and SANFL competitions for 16 seasons, Collins has taken his teams to the finals in 12 of those seasons, five of them finishing as preliminary finalists and five times leading his teams to the grand final for two premierships.

In our chat, Andy talks to me about his football journey, his philosophy and approach to coaching and developing people, how he builds teams, his background in teaching and psychology and some quirky stories to go with it as well.

Andy provides great learnings throughout this episode and gives you a closer look into his thinking and what has made him successful where ever he has gone.

Please enjoy this episode with Andy Collins.

Gary Ayres is a former AFL player and champion of the Hawthorn Football Club who now has become a successful and established coach of the Port Melbourne Football Club.

Ayres boasts one of the most decorated playing and coaching resumes you will come across.

During a 16 year playing career at the elite level, Ayres would play 269 games, win five premierships, be the first player to win two Norm Smith medals as being judged the best player on the ground on grand final day, win Hawthorn's best fairest in 1986, represent Victoria on multiple occasions, captain the team in 1992-1993 and subsequently be named in Hawthorn's Team of the Century in the back pocket.

He has then gone on to forge just as decorated career in the coaching caper. Becoming senior coach of Geelong Football Club in 1995, he would lead them to a Grand Final in just his first year at the helm and remain coach until 1999 before crossing over as senior coach of Adelaide Football Club in 2000 - 2004.

In 2007 Ayres was inducted into the Australian Football League Hall of Fame for his contribution and success to the game.

If that wasn't enough, Ayres took over as senior coach of Victorian Football League standalone club Port Melbourne in 2008 and remains in that position today. In his 12 seasons, Port Melbourne have played in 11 finals series and won two premierships.

During our conversation, Gary talks to me about his football journey, a defining moment where he almost left Hawthorn Football Club to play down in Tasmania and how he has tried to replicate the successful culture of the Hawthorn playing days to Port Melbourne today.

Gary provides an insight into the glory days of the Hawks and his mindset to achieving success both as a player and a coach.

Please enjoy this engaging and informative discussion with Gary Ayres.

Shane McCurry is a Culture and Leadership Consultant who has worked with some of the biggest names across high performance sport, business, government and education settings for the past two decades.

One of his many current roles sees him engaged as a Leadership and Organisational Development Consultant at the Richmond Football Club and although he won't admit it, he has had a sizeable impact and contribution to the successes the club has experienced since joining at the end of the 2016 season.

During our conversation, Shane discusses vulnerability, the power of story telling, how to build culture & connection in your teams, working with the Richmond Football Club and their leaders plus his approach and life mantra.

Shane provides valuable insights into his thinking and practical ways you can apply the learnings to your own personal or professional life.

Please enjoy this engaging and informative discussion with Shane McCurry.