the architect
the guru
the professor
the host
MEET THE TEAM
MEET THE TEAM
- FUN FACTS
- Represented Victoria twice for AFL (U12 & U15)
- Family man with 3 wonderful kids & wife
- An experienced Archery Instructor
- AFL Premiership player with Northern Knights U18
- Qualifed A Grade Electrician
- Avid Surfer still looking for the ultimate wave
DUAL PREMIERSHIP PLAYER
CARLTON FC PLAYER
ADRIAN TALARICO
DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL
Having coached and mentored at AFL, TAC/NAB Cup & League Representative level, Adrian ‘The Architect’ Talarico has one of the most impressive junior coaching resumes in Australia. Working 4 years full-time with AFL Victoria’s TAC/NAB powerhouse clubs Northern Knights FC & Calder Cannons FC, Adrian performed a multitude of roles as Head Coach, Football Development Manager & Lead Recruiter, helping develop many AFL players who now enjoy successful careers at the elite level.
When it comes to the AFL club system, Adrian’s experience extends into Elite AFL club circles, having Head Coached and Program Managed three separate junior development pathways with AFL clubs Collingwood FC, St Kilda FC and North Melbourne FC. Adrian’s passion for junior development led him to establish Dynamic Footy Skills, the leading junior development skills program provider in Australia.
As a qualified Primary & Secondary PE, HHD, Science & Classroom school teacher, Adrian’s passion for coaching and teaching naturally led him to sit on the prestigious School Sport Victoria AFL sub-committee. Wherein he was given the responsibility of educating all Primary and Secondary teachers within the state of Victoria about AFL education skills and drills. Including presenting professional development seminars at the largest teachers conference in the Southern Hemisphere, the Victorian ACPHER convention.
Adrian has certainly earned his nickname ‘The Architect’ when it comes to coaching & developing programs for junior football players & coaches. As head of football development at Dynamic Footy Skills, ‘Tala’ as he is affectionately known is proud to have implemented the most comprehensive and formidable training program of his career.
MICHAEL TALBOT
HEAD OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT
When it comes to pure coaching knowledge, there are very few who can match the scope of expertise accumulated by ‘The Professor’ Michael Talbot. From recruiting duties with AFL club Fremantle FC, to his current role as Head Coach of Collingwood’s AFL Next Generation Girls Academy. Michael has a vast range of AFL/VFL coaching knowledge & experience spread across 8 years.
Michael’s diverse coaching development extends further than AFL, having had the honour of spending time with world renown Real Madrid FC Junior Academy. There Michael focused on the methodology and development of junior athletes. Michael also had the privilege of being mentored by world leading junior development coach, Portugal’s very own Jaime Sampaio.
Michael’s field experience is complimented with an educational base built upon a Masters of Sports Science (Football Performance) & a bachelor of Sports Coaching (Sports Science Stream).
Known to his friends as Mick, The ‘Professor’ is excited to help impart his wealth of knowledge to improve your game exponentially.
- FUN FACTS
- Living up to his name as 'The Professor', Mick is currently studying his second post-graduate degree
- Qualified Lacrosse and Tennis Hot Shots instructor
- Won a handball competition at the Grand Final Parade
- FUN FACTS
- Ran first 10km race in 43 minutes
- Snorkled amongst Sharks, Stingrays and Clownfish in the Maldives
- Spent 7 days island hopping Croatia on a boat
- Chess Champion at high School
NEXT GEN. HEAD COACH
RULES PLAYER
ADAM VELI
HEAD OF STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
There isn’t a safer pair of hands in the industry when it comes to Strength & Conditioning than ‘The Guru’ Adam Veli. Exercise and Sport Science was always the road destined for Adam. It is in his blood. After completion of his Sport & Exercise Science degree, Adam continued his study, completing his Masters of Exercise Science (Strength & Conditioning).
Complementing his plethora of knowledge is his extensive industry experience at Local and Elite level, currently fulfilling the High-Performance Manager role at the Essendon Football Club Next Generation Academy. His resume includes roles throughout the sporting world across a variety of Elite sports including AFLW, VFL, VIS, AFL National Talent Umpires & Cricket Victoria.
Adam’s passion meant that starting his own Junior Performance Academy was inevitable. In 2017 Adam founded the AV High Performance Academy, and has since grown the Academy to become an industry leader when it comes to Junior Strength & Conditioning.
Adam’s expertise as a sports & condition ‘guru’ is only matched by his passion to unlock the full potential of every athlete he coaches. He can’t wait to start your fitness journey within the online footy academy.
JOSH SCHONAFINGER
HORIZON CONFIDENTIAL HOST
Josh ‘The Host’ Schonafinger is a sports journalist and presenter with experience representing the country’s largest sporting organisations.
After graduating from a Sports Journalism degree in Melbourne, Josh honed his skills in the media departments of Collingwood FC, the Melbourne Stars and Kings XI Punjab.
Josh joined the newsroom at afl.com.au and was part of the social and digital team for three seasons before joining cricket.com.au for the 2019-20 summer.
He has also had work published with Fox Sports, the Herald Sun and Cricinfo.
Broadcasting is one of Josh’s many passions and he is excited to bring you Horizon Confidential where he’ll be chatting to an array of great footballing guests from within the academy and beyond.
- FUN FACTS
- Co-founder of the popular supercoachhq website
- Famously captured on camera losing to Michael Talbot in a goal kicking competition.
- Currently working a documentary covering the bizarre tradition associated with the 'Eagle Rock' Song, currently used by the West Coast Eagles.