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Callum Sinclair

Callum Sinclair

AFL Sydney Swans ruckman

1 episodeDec 2019
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About Callum

Callum Sinclair - AFL Sydney Swans ruckman

Callum Sinclair started his career as a draft pick for West Coast Eagles, before transferring to Sydney Swans during the 2016 trade period.

Cal on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calsinc/

Cal's podcast, Conversations with Cal: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/conversations-with-cal/id1458307189?i=1000446329611

In Callum’s words

Verbatim from the transcripts — each quote links to the moment.

“I actually really, really struggle with it. Like, I'm, um, in terms of like talking about my strengths, I hate talking about it.”
Ep 553▶ 31:38
“there's only two types of games that a player plays. One's the game where you come off the ground and you cheque your phone and there's about 30 messages, missed calls, everything like that. And then the other game is when you come off the ground, you cheque your phone, crickets.”
Ep 553▶ 43:11
“football clubs are a really, really good leveler, you know what I mean?”
Ep 553▶ 48:15
“I cannot stand that guy chatting. That is not me.”
Ep 553▶ 1:07:04

Callum’s advice on the show

How should a team or organisation get the best out of its people?

Nail the fundamentals first, then focus on identifying each individual's strengths rather than dwelling on weaknesses — it's easy to point out what someone is bad at, but recognising and doubling down on what they're good at is what actually makes a person or team perform well.

Ep 553▶ 29:41

How can you tell who your genuine friends are when you're in the public eye?

Pay attention to who reaches out to you after a bad performance or loss versus only after wins — that pattern reveals who actually cares about you versus who's just along for the good times.

Ep 553▶ 43:11

How should athletes (or anyone with a short career window) prepare for life afterward?

Treat your playing/career window as short and plan for a long life after it — take advantage of support like the Players Association's tuition reimbursement, stay engaged with the outside world, and build relationships and interests beyond the sport itself.

Ep 553▶ 1:17:51

Stories Callum told

Discovering Josh on YouTube

Ep 553▶ 0:45

Callum explains he recognised Josh from Elsternwick Primary School after stumbling on one of his videos via YouTube's algorithm, which led to him getting invited onto the show.

Double shoulder dislocation mid-game

Ep 553▶ 57:58

Callum describes dislocating his shoulder twice within 20 minutes during a match, including the pain of it being relocated on the sideline by the team doctor and continuing to play before eventually needing reconstruction surgery.

Declining the Brownlow invite out of pride

Ep 553▶ 1:02:17

Callum explains he was once offered a last-minute Brownlow Medal invite after others declined, but refused to go because his ego didn't want to be seen as a backup choice.

Bombing a Year 12 theatre monologue

Ep 553▶ 1:13:38

Callum recalls dressing as a woman with a shopping trolley for a nerve-wracking Year 12 theatre studies monologue exam, convinced the judges hated it, and later feeling 'filthy' about getting a C in his school play despite thinking he nailed the comedic role.

Questions these interviews answer

Drawn from the episode transcripts.

How does the AFL draft actually work?

Players pay around $60 to enter a ballot; of the over 1,000 people who enter, only about 70-90 get selected (drafted) onto a club list, though some players like Callum Sinclair are drafted later (age 20+) after playing local or state-level football first.

From episode 553→
What is Callum Sinclair's advice about building a strong team or organisation?

He advises nailing the fundamentals and then identifying each person's individual strengths and doubling down on them, arguing it's easy to point out weaknesses but much harder — and more valuable — to recognise and lean into what someone is actually good at.

From episode 553→

When Callum came up

Mentioned on 1 episode Callumwasn’t on.

AFL player for the Swans, friend of Max's and Tommy's primary school peer, considered for the sports segment.

Ep 560▶ 1:09:42

Episodes with Callum

Every episode featuring Callum Sinclair on The Daily Talk Show.

Callum Sinclair On Doubling Down On Your Strengths
EP 553
104:23

Callum Sinclair On Doubling Down On Your Strengths

Callum Sinclair joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 553 (20 December 2019) — "Callum Sinclair On Doubling Down On Your Strengths". Callum Sinclair - AFL Sydney Swans ruckman Callum Sinclair started his career as a draft pick for West Coast Eagles, before transferring to Sydney Swans during the 2016 trade period. We chat about being drafted for the AFL, ASADA testing, doubling down on your strengths, and how Cal dislocated ...