In Episode Five of the InPlay Performance Podcast, Essendon captain Andrew McGrath opens up on the mental side of leadership, performance and life at the highest level.

From carrying the expectations that come with being a No. 1 draft pick to stepping into the captaincy at Essendon, McGrath shares how he has learned to navigate pressure, expectation and responsibility throughout his AFL career.

He discusses why looking after his mind has become a priority, how his approach to mental preparation has evolved, and the importance of staying grounded when dealing with the inevitable highs and lows of professional football.

McGrath also takes us inside the mindset required to lead an AFL playing group — balancing his own performance with the responsibility of supporting those around him and creating an environment where teammates can thrive.

It’s an insightful conversation about pressure, leadership and perspective, and why developing the person behind the footballer can be just as important as developing the player.

In Episode 5 of the InPlay Performance Podcast, we sit down with Dr Ben Robbins - a former 92-game AFL player, registered psychologist and performance and wellbeing leader with more than 15 years of experience inside elite football environments.

With a PhD in Clinical Psychology focused on the wellbeing of professional athletes, Ben brings the rare perspective of someone who has experienced AFL pressure both on the field and from the psychologist’s chair.

Ben shares the most effective mental skills aspiring AFL athletes can use to prepare for competition, manage nerves, build genuine confidence, reset after mistakes and remain composed when facing selection pressure, injuries and external expectations.

He also reveals the character traits and personal assets he has consistently observed in successful AFL players - from resilience and self-awareness to coachability, discipline and a willingness to complete the unseen work.

This is an essential episode for emerging footballers, coaches and parents seeking to understand the mental preparation required not only to reach the elite level, but to perform and thrive once they get there.

In Episode Four of the Podcast, Jordan Ridley shares the mindset and mental resilience that have helped him navigate the highs and lows of elite football.

After becoming just the third least experienced player in Essendon Football Club history to win the prestigious Crichton Medal, Ridley's career appeared destined for rapid ascent. But a series of injury setbacks forced him to confront new challenges, testing his patience, confidence, and perspective.

Jordan opens up about learning to accept feedback and criticism as a young footballer, the mental hurdles that come with elite sport, and how practices like breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness have helped him stay grounded through uncertainty. He shares valuable insights on controlling the highs, navigating the lows, and maintaining belief when progress isn't always linear.

This is a conversation about resilience, self-awareness, and the mindset required to keep moving forward when adversity strikes.

Joining the Podcast is former Dyson Heppell captain and current Collingwood Football Club Development Coach Dyson Heppell.

Heppell shares the mental performance habits that shaped one of the AFL's most respected careers.

Dyson reflects on the early childhood behaviours and experiences that led him to explore breathwork, meditation, self-awareness, and mental preparation, ultimately transforming both his leadership and performance.

He explains why mentality is often the greatest separator at the elite level and reveals what he's learned working alongside stars like Nick Daicos and Scott Pendlebury, whose mental approaches set them apart from their peers.

From handling pressure and building resilience to unlocking peak performance, Dyson shares the lessons every aspiring footballer can learn to maximise their potential and become the best version of themselves - both on and off the field.

In Episode Two of the Podcast, Cooper Hamilton opens up on the harsh reality of having the game you love taken away from you.

After injuries cruelled his football journey, Cooper found himself battling identity loss, uncertainty, and mental health challenges that many athletes experience but rarely speak about publicly.

Through documenting his life post-football on social media, he’s built a powerful platform centred around honesty, vulnerability, and growth.

This episode explores resilience, purpose, identity beyond sport, and how to navigate life when things don’t go to plan — offering valuable perspective for athletes and anyone facing setbacks in life.

In the very first episode of the Podcast, founder Kaine Baldwin sits down with co-host Brynn O'Connor to unpack the journey behind InPlay and the mindset lessons that shaped it. Kaine opens up about his AFL experience, navigating anxiety, performance pressure, setbacks, and the mental battles athletes often face behind closed doors. Together, they explore why tools like visualisation, breathwork, and meditation are becoming game-changing skills for modern athletes - and how the InPlay App aims to help young footballers build confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and stronger performance both on and off the field.