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 is critical.

Jamie takes us through his journey - from Oakleigh and an injury-affected junior career, to rediscovering his passion for footy, the influence of Luke Beveridge, and the lead-up to the 2016 Western Bulldogs premiership.

We also unpack his move to West Coast, Andrew McQualter’s vision for the club’s future, and what’s driving the next phase of growth.

All this and much more in episode 225 of Sporting Max!

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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 sustainability to growing prize money and improving governance across the sport.

Gavin also reflects on the day he found out he was appointed CEO, the accomplishments he’s most proud of in his tenure so far, and what’s next for the game in Australia.

Plus, a surprise drop-in from golf legend Ian Baker-Finch!

All this and much more in episode 224 of Sporting Max!

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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 combining forces with TGI Sport.

We dive into what it takes to build a talent agency from the ground up, how to earn an athlete’s trust, the key conversations that helped land McCullum the England role, and how Simon identifies the next wave of elite talent.

All this and much more in episode 222 of Sporting Max!

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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 around Zak Butters potentially moving out of SA next year.

Then we switch gears to the NBA: Is Wemby already on an MVP path? Can the Warriors contend with their current roster? Who’s our pick to win it all - and why does Eddy think the Lakers are only an 8-seed in the West?

Eddy also drops some hot takes: Cooper Flagg hype, Giannis for MVP, and… the Knicks to win the title?!

All this and much more in episode 222 of Sporting Max!

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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 Scouting.

Danny takes us inside the draft room on draft night, what goes into identifying elite talent, and how the Sixers nailed the Tyrese Maxey pick.

Now back home in Perth, he opens up on what was his first task as GM - finding a new head coach, the cultural shift underway at the Wildcats, and how they’re setting up for a deep finals run with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. leading the charge.

All this and much more in episode 221 of Sporting Max!

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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 evolved this year - including whether the “shrug” could be deemed prior opportunity in 2026.

He also gives fascinating insight into how the out-of-bounds rule impacts the ruck’s role in the game, and whether the ARC’s boundary line review system will carry over into 2026.

Stephen takes us through his umpiring journey - from being mentored by John Beveridge to bouncing the ball in his first AFL match, and the greatest Grand Final he’s been part of. We unpack how umpires communicate in real time during matches, what changes he wants to see for greater safety, and how the AFL can maintain consistency across a full season.

All this and much more in episode 220 of Sporting Max!

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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 he led them to Super League promotion.

We talk about his return home to coach in the NRL, his long-term aspirations to become a head coach, and what he learned working under Craig Bellamy at the Melbourne Storm - including why he believes Bellamy is the greatest coach the game has ever seen.

Justin also reflects on how Cameron Smith made him feel instantly welcome at the Storm, the traits that make that club so consistent, and the lessons he’s brought to the Cowboys.

Plus, we unpack the season that was for North Queensland and how the team plans to climb the ladder again next year.

All this and much more in episode 219 of Sporting Max!

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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.

He shares the lessons from that period, how they’ve influenced his role at Geelong, and the values that continue to drive the club’s sustained success.

We dive into the hot topics across footy - how the Cats have supported Bailey Smith, the new generation of players navigating social media, and the culture that allows Geelong players to thrive and truly be themselves.

Grant also takes us inside his role in securing Geelong’s inaugural AFLW licence, his time as Chair of the AFL Industry Governance Committee for Player Development, and what he’s carried from that experience into leading one of the AFL’s powerhouse clubs.

Plus, we unpack the AFL’s extended audit of Geelong and the fascinating insights it revealed.

All this and much more in episode 218 of Sporting Max!

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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 a weakness. But there’s one venture he admits he’s deeply connected to: the Phoenix.

We dive into his first real estate deal (a three-story apartment he renovated himself), his three key questions before partnering with investors, and his major development projects in Miami.

Romie also shares how he initially said no to investing in the Phoenix, the 48-hour deal he struck with Larry Kestelman, and the faith he’s placed in Tommy Greer to build the club’s foundation.

Plus - the story behind turning down LaMelo Ball in 2020, and how Josh King’s appointment mid-season last year transformed the team’s direction.

All this and much more in episode 217 of Sporting Max!

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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 followed - including a move to Perth, a 21-game winning streak with the Brisbane Bullets, and the defining words Andrej Lemanis shared with him after winning their first championship back in New Zealand.

Now in the front office, Dillon discusses the mindset behind rebuilding the Breakers’ culture, the return of import Parker Jackson-Cartwright, and the building blocks being laid for long-term success.

All this and much more in episode 216 of Sporting Max!