#1 Australian Rules Football Psychologist
Back yourself when the game's on the line
Whether you’re lining up after the siren, entering a centre bounce, or fighting through a tough patch of form, confidence matters. Our Australian Rules Football psychologist helps you stay composed, trust your preparation, and make good decisions when the pressure is at its highest.
1-on-1
sessions built for you
24 Hour
response time to new enquiries
WEBCAM
sessions possible
Sessions
at times that suit you
Stay calm when the tempo lifts
AFL demands quick decisions under constant pressure. When the game’s moving fast, it’s easy to overthink a disposal, hesitate at a contest, or lose confidence after a mistake.
When pressure starts affecting your decision-making, confidence can suffer and hesitation can creep into your game. Our Australian Rules Football psychologist helps you stay composed, trust your instincts, and make better decisions under match-day pressure.
Build confidence in every aspect of your game
Aussie Rules tests more than your physical skills. The ability to stay composed, make good decisions, and respond to setbacks can have a large impact on performance. We help you strengthen the psychological side of your game so you can compete with greater confidence and consistency.
Back your instincts
When the pressure rises, hesitation can creep in. Learn to trust your preparation, commit to your decisions, and play with confidence when every moment counts.
Reset after mistakes
A missed set shot, dropped mark, or missed tackle doesn't have to define your game. Learn to reset quickly, refocus on the next thing, and keep mistakes from affecting your performance.
Build confidence and consistency
Confidence isn't about feeling good all the time. Develop a reliable mindset that helps you stay composed through setbacks, form fluctuations, and the pressures of competition.
Make better decisions under pressure
The speed of the game can challenge even experienced players. Stay composed, process information clearly, and make effective decisions when the pressure is at its highest.
Stay focused across four quarters
AFL demands sustained concentration from the opening bounce to the final siren. Learn practical strategies to manage distractions and maintain your focus throughout the match.
Work through setbacks and challenges
Selection setbacks, injuries, loss of form, and competition for spots can test any player. Build resilience, stay motivated, and keep moving forward with confidence all season.
Meet the psychologists who'll help you work through the mental side of Footy
Whether you’re fighting for a spot in the senior side, returning from injury, or struggling with confidence around goal, our AFL psychologist provides practical support to help you stay focused, resilient, and ready for the next contest.
Brian Langsworth
Michelle Pain
Harley de Vos
David Barracosa
Gareth J Mole
Madalyn Incognito
Darren Godwin
Alexandra Mapstone
James Kneller
Lauren Bischoff
Chris Pomfret
How to work with our Australian Rules Football psychologist
Submit your enquiry form
Start by completing our New Enquiries form below. Tell us a little about your football background, the challenges you're facing, and what you'd like support with. Once we've received your enquiry, we'll try to get back to you within 24 hours.
Book a call with Tara or Lizzie
After reviewing your enquiry, we'll organise a call with one of our New Enquiries Officers, Tara or Lizzie. This is an opportunity to discuss your goals, ask questions, and learn more about the support available. They'll also explain our different Monthly Options and help you understand which may be the best fit.
Tell us about your challenges
AFL players face different challenges. Whether you're working through a form slump, selection disappointment, injury setback, confidence issue, or the pressures of competition, Tara or Lizzie will recommend the psychologist best suited to your needs. They'll also help arrange your initial Kick Start Session.
Start your 1-on-1 sessions
Once your Kick Start Session has been confirmed, your Aussie Rules psychologist will get in touch to introduce themselves and explain what to expect moving forward. From there, you'll begin personalised 1-on-1 Mental Toughness Training. It will be custom to your goals, helping you build confidence, handle pressure, and get more from your football throughout the season.
Stay locked in from first bounce to final siren
Plenty of AFL players start well. Fewer maintain their focus when the game becomes chaotic. Learn how to stay engaged, make good decisions under pressure, and keep playing your role deep into the fourth quarter.
Bounce back faster after mistakes and setbacks
A missed tackle, turnover, or poor game can stay in your head long after the moment has passed. Instead of focusing on your next contest, you’re replaying mistakes and worrying about making another one.
This can affect confidence, consistency, and enjoyment of the game. Our AFL psychologist helps you develop resilience, manage self-criticism, and reset quickly so one error doesn’t impact your performance.
Strengthen your game's mental side
Physical preparation is only part of the equation. Learn how our Australian Rules Football psychologist can help you handle pressure, overcome setbacks, and bring greater consistency to your football throughout the season.
FAQs about working with an Australian Rules Football psychologist
When should I work with an Australian Rules Football sports psychologist?
It depends on your goals and the challenges you’re facing. Many footballers seek support when confidence, pressure, focus, motivation, or setbacks begin affecting their ability to train and compete at the level they expect from themselves.
Some players reach out during a form slump, after an injury, or while dealing with selection pressure. Others simply want to strengthen the mental side of their game and bring greater consistency to their performances throughout the season.
You don’t need to be struggling to benefit from psychological support. Many work with a sport psychologist proactively to improve decision-making, build resilience, and develop habits that support long-term performance.
How can an Aussie Rules sports psychologist help me play better?
An AFL sports psychologist can help you build confidence, improve focus, manage pressure, and develop strategies for responding to setbacks. These factors can have a big impact on how you perform during matches and training.
Many footballers know what they’re capable of but struggle to bring that level of performance into competition consistently. Psychological support can help close the gap between preparation and execution.
The goal is to help you develop habits and skills that allow your ability to show up more often when it matters, not change you as a player.
Can sports psychology help with confidence around goal?
Yes. Confidence around goal is one of the most common reasons footballers seek support from a psychologist. Missed opportunities, poor form, and negative self-talk can quickly affect how you approach set shots and scoring chances.
Over time, players can become focused on outcomes rather than their routine and decision-making process. This often increases pressure and makes it harder to trust their instincts.
A sports psychologist can help you develop strategies for managing nerves, maintaining confidence, and committing fully to your process when opportunities present themselves.
Can an AFL psychologist help with selection pressure?
Yes. Selection pressure can create uncertainty, frustration, and self-doubt, particularly when you’re competing for a place in the senior side or returning after injury.
When players become preoccupied with selection decisions, they often focus on things outside their control. This can make it harder to concentrate on training, preparation, and role execution.
A sport psychologist can help you stay focused on controllable factors, manage expectations, and maintain confidence regardless of external outcomes.
Can sports psychology help after a poor performance?
Yes. A tough game can affect confidence and create doubts that carry into future performances if they aren’t managed effectively.
Many footballers replay mistakes long after the final siren, focusing on what went wrong rather than what can be learned. This can make it difficult to move forward and prepare for the next challenge.
An AFL sports psychologist can coach you by helping you process performances constructively, identify useful lessons, and develop strategies for bouncing back more effectively.
Is sports psychology only for elite or high performance athletes?
No. Sports psychology can benefit AFL players at every level, from junior through to senior and high performance athletes.
The challenges associated with confidence, focus, pressure, and motivation aren’t limited to elite competition. Players across all levels experience similar mental and emotional demands.
While high performance athletes often use psychological support to gain a competitive edge, the same principles can help any footballer improve their enjoyment and consistency.
What issues do footballers commonly discuss with a psychologist?
They commonly seek support for confidence issues, performance anxiety, pressure management, concentration, motivation, injury recovery, selection concerns, and form slumps.
Some want help with a specific challenge, while others are looking to improve overall performance and consistency. The focus depends on the individual’s goals and circumstances.
Sessions are custom to the player and their situation, with practical strategies designed to support both performance and wellbeing.
Can sport psychology help me prepare for big matches?
Yes. Big matches, like finals, often bring a different level of pressure, expectation, and scrutiny. Even experienced players can notice changes in confidence, focus, and decision-making when the stakes are higher.
As important matches approach, it’s common to become preoccupied with outcomes, selection decisions, or the significance of the occasion. This can make it harder to stay present and focus on your role.
A footy psychologist can help you prepare mentally for big matches by developing routines, managing pressure, and maintaining confidence. The goal is to help you approach important games with the same mindset and preparation you bring to every other week of the season.
Can sport psychology help me become a more complete footballer?
Yes. Football development isn’t limited to fitness, skills, and game awareness. The way you respond to pressure, setbacks, mistakes, and challenges can influence how much you get from your abilities.
Developing stronger mental fitness can help you maintain confidence, stay focused on your role, and adapt more effectively when circumstances change throughout a match or season.
Many players pursue psychological support as part of their broader high-performance development. By strengthening the mental side of the game, you can perform more consistently, handle setbacks more effectively, and get more from your abilities over time.
What is mental fitness in Aussie Rules?
Mental fitness refers to your ability to stay focused, resilient, confident, and adaptable throughout the demands of training and competition. Like physical fitness, it can be developed and strengthened over time.
AFL regularly presents challenges such as pressure situations, mistakes, injuries, performance slumps, and changing team dynamics. Mental fitness helps you respond effectively to these situations.
Developing mental fitness can improve your ability to handle adversity, recover from setbacks, and maintain consistent standards across a long season.
