Sporting Max
Sports
About
Our host Max Becker takes us on the journey of the lives of sporting stars, their careers, struggles, growing up and of course a few laughs along the way!
Episodes
- Belle Brockhoff: Three Olympics, World Championship Gold & Becoming World No. 1 | #251
In episode 251, Max chats with World Champion snowboarder Belle Brockhoff! From growing up on the slopes of Mount Buller to becoming one of the most successful snowboard cross athletes in Australian history, Belle takes us inside a remarka…
- Tony Ronzone: Kobe, Luka, Team USA & The Evolution of Global Basketball | #250
In episode 250, Max chats with NBA agent and executive Tony Ronzone! From coaching in New Zealand at 22 years old to helping build NBA championship teams, Olympic gold medal teams and discovering some of the greatest international basketba…
- Joe Montemurro: Inside Arsenal, Juventus & Leading the Matildas | #249
In episode 249, Joe Montemurro, Head Coach of the Matildas, discusses his coaching career with Sporting Max, covering his experiences at Arsenal and Juventus. The conversation delves into his leadership philosophy, culture building, and th…
- Joe Foster: The Founder of Reebok | #248
Max chats with Reebok co-founder Joe Foster about building the iconic brand from a small factory in England into a global sports leader. Foster shares insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, branding, and innovation, reflecting on early…
- Matthew Hodgson: Boomers, the NBL & Battling Self-Doubt | #247
Max chats with former Boomers and NBL star Matthew Hodgson about his unique basketball journey, including his rise from late beginnings to professional play and representing the Boomers. Hodgson candidly shares his struggles with self-conf…
- Sophie Taylor: From Non-Selection to Captaining the Hockeyroos | #246
Sophie Taylor, captain of the Hockeyroos, shares her experience of being told she would not play for Australia again, her journey back to the national team, and captaining her country. The episode covers non-selection, missing the Tokyo Ol…
- Bharat Sundaresan: Cricket Saved My Life | #245
In episode 245 of Sporting Max, host Max interviews cricket writer and broadcaster Bharat Sundaresan. They discuss the current state and future of Australian cricket, including the upcoming Test schedule and generational transitions. Sunda…
- Craig Starcevich: Building a Dynasty - Inside Brisbane’s AFLW Success | #244
In episode 244, Max chats with Brisbane Lions AFLW Senior Coach Craig Starcevich! Craig takes us inside one of the most successful programs in AFLW history - and what it actually takes to build and sustain a premiership team in a constantl…
- Ryan Leff: How NBA Deals Really Happen - Inside Player Movement & Contracts | #243
In episode 243, Max chats with NBA Agent Ryan Leff! Ryan takes us inside the world of NBA player representation - from managing elite talent to navigating the business, pressure, and constant movement behind the scenes of the league. We di…
- Mike Weinar: Inside an NBA Finals Run - How Championship Teams Are Really Built | #242
In episode 242, Max chats with former Indiana Pacers Assistant Coach Mike Weinar! What actually goes into an NBA Finals run? Mike takes us inside the Indiana Pacers’ 2025 run to the NBA Finals - breaking down how a connected, resilient gro…
- Elle Armit: Inside Australia’s Olympic Water Polo Campaign | #241
In episode 241, Max chats with Australian water polo Olympian Elle Armit! Elle takes us inside the reality of chasing Olympic success - from the years of preparation and sacrifice required to make the Australian team, to the emotional roll…
- Kim Keedle: Inside F1 High Performance & Oscar Piastri’s Rise | #240
In episode 240, Max chats with former McLaren Formula 1 Performance Manager Kim Keedle! Kim takes us inside the world of Formula 1 high performance - from preparing drivers for the physical demands of racing at over 300km/h to managing the…
- Ryan Hoover: Inside the NBA Trade Deadline & Building the Bucks’ 2021 Championship | #239
In episode 239, Max chats with Milwaukee Bucks Vice President of Global Scouting Ryan Hoover! Ryan takes inside what it’s really like inside the front office during the NBA trade deadline. From the intensity of deadline decisions to the pr…
- Caleb Mitchell: From Delisted, to Starting Again & Building the Tasmania Devils | #238
In episode 238, Max chats with Tasmania Devils player Caleb Mitchell! Caleb shares an honest look at his journey through the AFL system - from the uncertainty of draft year and training by himself to earn a shot, to the reality of being de…
- Selwyn Griffith: Inside Melbourne’s High Performance System & Coaching Transition | #237
In episode 237, Max chats with Melbourne Football Club Head of High Performance Selwyn Griffith! Selwyn takes us inside what it really takes to design and lead an AFL high-performance program during a coaching transition - from aligning wi…
- Jackson Dennis: Inside AFL High Performance & Load Management | #236
In episode 236, Max chats with GWS Giants Head of High Performance Jackson Dennis! Jackson takes us inside what it really takes to design and lead an AFL high-performance program - from mapping out an AFL pre-season to managing player load…
- Bodhi Uwland: From Rehab to Finals and The Mindset Shift Behind the Suns’ Rise | #235
In episode 235, Max chats with Gold Coast Suns Player Bodhi Uwland for an honest and wide-ranging conversation on development, resilience, and what it really takes to make it at AFL level. We unpack the Suns’ pre-season under Damian Hardwi…
- Ivan Mitrovic: What Do NBA Scouts Really Look For in Players? | #234
In episode 234, Max is joined by Washington Wizards NBA scout Ivan Mitrovic for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how elite talent is identified, evaluated, and projected at the highest level of basketball. Ivan takes us through his journe…
- Dan Ryan: Leadership, Standards & Building Buy-In | #233
In episode 233, Max chats with South East Melbourne Phoenix Assistant Coach Dan Ryan for an in-depth look inside one of the NBL’s most consistent programs. Coming off a season-defining win over the Sydney Kings, Dan breaks down what that m…
- Greg Vanderjagt: What Actually Changes When a Coach Gets Sacked Mid-Season? | #232
In episode 232, Max chats with Brisbane Bullets Assistant Coach Greg Vanderjagt! Greg takes us inside the reality of professional coaching - from what actually changes when a coach is sacked mid-season, to how players and staff respond whe…
- Matt Spangher: Coaching at the Bulldogs, Delisted to Premiership Player & Hawthorn’s Golden Era | #231
In episode 231, Max chats with Hawthorn Head of Football Strategy and Projects Matt Spangher! Matt takes us inside his decision to leave the Western Bulldogs, who’s stood out on the track at Hawthorn so far, the standards he’s helping set,…
- Brad Lloyd: Inside Carlton, Pressure, and the Reality of List Management | #230
In episode 230, Max sits down with former Carlton General Manager of Football Brad Lloyd! Brad takes us through what it’s really like running an AFL club at the highest level - from the inside. We unpack Carlton’s rise to a preliminary fin…
- Ashes Second Test Wrap with Peter Lalor
Australia are 2–0 up in the Ashes and heading to Adelaide in a position of real authority while England are left searching for answers as Bazball comes under its heaviest scrutiny yet. I sat down with cricket writer and broadcaster Peter L…
- Ashes Second Test Wrap with Code Sports' Daniel Cherny
Australia tighten their grip on the Ashes, and the second test has shifted the series from intrigue to authority. Bazball, once the great disruptor, is now being labelled dead - exposed by pressure, preparation, and a growing gap between t…
- Damien Taylor: The Science of Leadership & High-Performance Culture | #229
In episode 229, Max chats with high-performance and leadership expert Damien Taylor! Damian takes us through through purpose, values, and what makes great teams tick. He breaks down why preparation builds confidence, how elite teams stay a…
- Daniel Pratt: Leadership, West Coast's 2018 Flag & the Bulldogs’ 2026 Blueprint | #228
In episode 228, Max chats with Western Bulldogs Assistant Coach Daniel Pratt! Daniel takes us through his coaching trip to the US - spending time with the Cleveland Browns, Guardians, Cavs, Detroit Lions and Tigers - who’s lit up the track…
- Ashes First Test Wrap with Bryce McGain
Australia takes a 1–0 lead in the Ashes, and the first Test in Perth had everything - chaos, brilliance, and a statement performance from Mitchell Starc that puts him within touching distance of Wasim Akram on the all-time list. I sat down…
- Max Abbott: Inside the Stars’ Push for BBL15 | #227
In episode 227, Max chats with Melbourne Stars GM Max Abbott! Max takes us through how the club managed to retain a core of superstars in Haris Rauf and Tom Curran, the strong start to the WBBL season, the greatness of Annabel Sutherland,…
- Phil Merriman: Inside West Coast’s High-Performance Program & Youth Development | #226
In episode 226, Max chats with West Coast Eagles High Performance Manager Phil Merriman! Phil takes us inside his move from Fremantle over the off-season, why West Coast is one of the most exciting young groups in the AFL, and what it actu…
- Jamie Maddocks: Inside West Coast’s Rebuild & the Future of the Eagles | #225
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 gr…
- Gavin Kirkman: Inside the Future of Australian Golf | #224
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 cha…
- Simon Auteri: From Andy Murray to Brendon McCullum & The Business of Modern Cricket | #223
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 reflec…
- Eddy Cornes: AFL Trade Fallout, Wemby Hype & The Knicks To Win It All? | #222
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 t…
- Danny Mills: Scouting, Culture & the Perth Wildcats | #221
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 Euro…
- Stephen McBurney: Inside the AFL’s Laws, Pressure & Umpiring Decisions | #220
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…
- Justin Morgan: Coaching, Resilience & Lessons from Craig Bellamy | #219
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 R…
- Grant McCabe: Inside the Culture Driving the Geelong Cats | #218
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 Eng…
- Romie Chaudhari: The Mind Behind the Phoenix Rise | #217
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.…
- Dillon Boucher: Rebuilding the New Zealand Breakers | #216
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 div…
- Nick Poulos: Lessons in Leadership, Load Management & Building Elite Teams | #215
In episode 215, Max chats with GWS High Performance Boss Nick Poulos! Nick unpacks managing sore bodies, timing a run into finals, and building genuine trust and respect between players and the high-performance team. Nick’s story is one of…
- Damian Cotter: Culture, Resilience & Coaching the Chicago Bulls | #214
In episode 214, Max chats with Chicago Bulls Assistant Coach Damian Cotter! From growing up in Ferntree Gully to the bright lights of the NBA, Damian shares his journey -becoming Knox head coach at just 28, leading the Sydney Kings, and th…
- Kai Bloomfield: Reinventing Athlete Recruitment with Trainstop | BUSINESS SERIES
In this episode of the Business Series, Max chats with Kai Bloomfield, founder of Trainstop, the modern way of recruiting athletes. Kai shares how his entrepreneurial mindset led to the creation of Trainstop, the process of turning an idea…
- Angus Brandt: Building Resilience, Winning Cultures, and The Road Back | #213
In episode 213, Max chats with Australian basketball star Angus Brandt! Angus takes us through building resilience, championships, and a potential NBL return. From starting out as a lanky kid dreaming of playing professionally, to the impa…
- Cameron Schwab: Leadership, Resilience & The Lessons of Football | #212
In episode 212, Max chats with Former Melbourne and Fremantle CEO Cameron Schwab! Cam takes us through growing up around his late father Alan, listening to the legendary conversations of Tom Hafey and Ron Barassi, to walking into the Melbo…
- Alistair Dobson: Privatisation Of The BBL, Babar Azam, and The Future of The League | 211
In episode 211, Max chats with Executive GM BBL Alistair Dobson! Alistair takes us through all the talking points ahead of the biggest season in league history. We dive into one of the hottest topics in Australian cricket - the proposed pr…
- Phil Beckner: What It Takes To Be Great, Damian Lillard, and The Formula For Success | #210
In episode 210, Max chats with Legendary NBA Skills Trainer Phil Beckner! Phil takes us inside what it truly takes to be great. From growing up in a broken home to finding the one person who believed in him, to training Damian Lillard for…
- Daniel Kickert: Championships, Coaching, and the Sydney Kings | #209
In episode 209, Max chats with Australian Boomers Legend Daniel Kickert! Daniel takes us through striving for excellence, trusting the process, and building a championship culture with the Sydney Kings. From starting out at the AIS alongsi…
- Andrew Russell: Inside Hawthorn’s Dynasty, Elite Standards & Carlton’s Rise | #208
In episode 208, Max chats with legendary high performance director Andrew Russell! Andrew takes us through starting out at Essendon working with James Hird and Matthew Lloyd - including helping Hird return to his best and leading to a prem…
- Marc McGowan: The Age, AFL, and Trade Update | #207
In episode 207, Max chats with The Age's Marc McGowan! Marc clears the air on last week’s Footy Classified feedback. We dive into what it really takes to get a “10” from Marc, his journey from Star News Group to footy in the NT and the AFL…
- David Barham: Touring with Greg Norman, Bruce McAvaney & Leading Essendon | #206
In episode 206, Max chats with Essendon Bombers President David Barham! David takes us through tours with Greg Norman, travelling the world covering sport alongside Bruce McAvaney, and behind the unearthing of the lost AFL archive. One of…