Youth AFL Development Sydney | Magpies-Level Speed & Contact Readiness
Led by David Lambropoulos — Masters-qualified S&C coach and Head of S&C at the Inner West Magpies AFL — supported by Prak Sharma, Head Physiotherapist at the same club. Built around the running loads, marking contests, and repeat-efforts of modern AFL, with elite sprint coaching from a three-time Olympic coach.
BUILT FOR THE DEMANDS OF AFL
AFL combines the highest running volumes in professional team sport with repeated contests, marking leaps, and physical collisions. Developing AFL-ready athletes requires sport-specific conditioning that builds both aerobic capacity and collision tolerance together.
High-Volume Running & Aerobic Base
AFL players cover over 12km per match with frequent high-intensity bursts. Our program builds the aerobic engine that underpins every other physical quality — because endurance deficits show up late in games when it matters most.
Vertical Power for Marking
Contested marking is a defining skill of AFL. Vertical jump development, approach jump mechanics, and mid-air body control — programmed progressively for young athletes across their growth and development stages.
Contact Readiness & Trunk Strength
AFL is a collision sport without pads. Trunk stability, neck strength, and upper body resilience built age-appropriately so young players can contest with confidence — without the contact injuries that end seasons.
Speed, Change of Direction & Evasion
Evading tackles, breaking lines, and changing direction under fatigue are defining AFL skills. With sprint mechanics coaching available from a three-time Olympic coach, your young athlete develops genuine speed — not just generic cone-drill agility.
MAGPIES S&C. MAGPIES PHYSIO.
Your young AFL player trains under the Head of S&C and the Head Physiotherapist from the Inner West Magpies — Sydney AFL's premier Inner West club — with elite sprint coaching from a three-time Olympic coach available on top.
David is the Head of Strength & Conditioning at the Inner West Magpies AFL, bringing direct weekly exposure to the physical demands of competitive AFL football. A Sports Chiropractor with a Masters in Strength & Conditioning and Ironman All World Athlete background, David blends elite endurance conditioning, S&C programming, and AFL-specific physical preparation into every junior program he delivers.
Prak is the Head Physiotherapist at the Inner West Magpies AFL, combining a physiotherapy and S&C background with direct weekly exposure to competitive AFL. He also plays 3rd Grade Premier Cricket at Sydney CC, meaning he understands the high-volume, multi-sport demands many young AFL players juggle across summer and winter seasons.
For AFL players wanting dedicated speed development, John Quinn offers elite sprint and agility coaching. A three-time Olympic athletics coach who has worked with Usain Bolt, John also brings deep AFL experience — former High Performance Manager at Essendon Football Club and a decade with the GWS Giants. Few coaches in the country can develop AFL running and speed like John.
ASSESSMENT. PROGRAM. PROGRESS.
Every young AFL player starts with a comprehensive assessment. Programming reflects their position, development stage, and competition load.
Physical Profile Assessment
Aerobic testing, jump testing, movement screening, strength profiling. Baseline data before any programming starts.
AFL-Specific Programming
Periodised around the AFL season. Pre-season running base, in-season maintenance and recovery, off-season capacity building.
Re-Testing & Season Monitoring
Progressive data tracking. Workload management through heavy training weeks. Adjustments based on how their body actually responds.
EXPLORE OTHER PROGRAMS.
TRAIN LIKE THE MAGPIES.
Young AFL players at Five Dock get direct access to the Head of S&C and Head Physio from Sydney AFL's premier Inner West club. No referral needed.
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