Alex McDonald
Managing Director
Alex is a qualified accountant and brings over 25 years of AFL experience as the Managing Director of Hemisphere AFL. He has the distinction of being the number one AFL draft pick in 1988. After seven seasons at the Hawks, Alex finished his career at Collingwood. Crucially Alex knows what it's like to be a player at the elite level. He's even a member of a select group of families who have had three brothers play over 100 AFL games. His brothers, Anthony and James, both played for Melbourne.
Hemisphere's philosophy of maximising on field and off field opportunities is built out of our desire to build lasting relationships with every talent. Combining 18 years of industry experience with his football career, Alex is perfectly equipped to guide talent through the rigours of life in the AFL.
David Trotter
Head of Talent Management
Being a former top 10 draft pick and having spent 4 years in the AFL system at North Melbourne, Dave has lived the life of a young, elite AFL player.
Managing some of the game’s best young players, Dave ensures potential draftees are informed and prepared ahead of the draft.
With a degree in exercise and sports science, and factoring in his own personal experiences, Dave is the perfect fit to help players move into the increasingly demanding AFL environment.
Annabel Burge
Talent Manager
Following the completion of her Bachelor of Business and Arts - Sports Management at Victoria University, Annabel launched into her dream career in sports management in 2013. A diehard Hawks fans, her career path was inspired by her passion for building strong working relationships and her enthusiasm and love for sport.
Julian Petracca
Talent Manager
A passionate sports enthusiast with a particular interest in AFL, Julian studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Sports Management) at La Trobe University. Learning valuable experience through internships and part-time work at other leading Player Management Companies, Julian opted to pursue full-time work in a completely different industry in 2014. Being a former Senior Premiership Captain in 2015 for The Mitcham Football Club, Julian has recently moved to The North Ringwood Football Club to challenge himself in Division One of the Eastern Football League. His enthusiasm, caring nature and personal experiences makes him a great resource for our young talent coming through the elite pathway systems.
Tom Seccull
Talent Manager
Born and raised in Victoria, Tom now resides in Perth as head of our WA office. A talented athlete, Tom studied a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance) before combining his Tax & Advisory skillset with his lifelong passion for the AFL. Whilst managing some of the brightest young stars of the AFL, Tom’s passion also lies with developing and nurturing the best young talent coming out of both Western Australia and South Australia.
Brodie Steele
Talent Coordinator
Joining the Hemisphere team in 2020, Brodie has combined his skill sets obtained through completing his Bachelor of Business Degree (Management and Marketing) from Monash University, with his passion for AFL football. Brodie’s family has a strong history of playing in the AFL, with his father Darren playing 137 games for North Melbourne and Geelong. Brodie still plays football at a high-level, Vice-Captaining the Old Haileybury Football Club in the VAFA. His marketing brain in conjunction with his love of sport and helping others is what makes Brodie a very valuable member of Hemisphere.
Nick Allan
Talent Coordinator
Nick is a young West Australian working in the Hemisphere WA office. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting & Finance at Notre Dame and after graduation he soon began work in an accounting role. He joined the Hemisphere team in 2020 and recently played at Claremont in the WAFL. Coming from a family with a rich football history, Nick’s father Ben played 211 games across the AFL and WAFL, including an AFL Premiership, 2 All-Australian Medals and was the original captain of the Fremantle Dockers. Using his knowledge and experience of the WAFL system, Nick works with our younger players in WA and helps them best prepare for the AFL National Draft.
Anthony Panozzo
Talent Manager
Anthony’s football career began playing for Richmond’s U19s in the late 80s. He then went on to play senior football at age 18 in the VFL and SANFL – finally finishing off by playing in a Premiership winning side for Wonthaggi in the Gippsland Football League. A very successful businessman, he has a passion for mentoring and coaching young talent which led him to becoming an Accredited AFL Player Agent. Keeping an eye on the young talent coming through the elite pathways, Anthony’s strong values around relationship building and industry knowledge helps to ensure Hemisphere’s young clients are prepared for their AFL journey.
Kristian Nikoloski
Endorsements
Kristian completed his Media and Communications degree in Melbourne and Cincinnati before entering the media industry shortly after graduating. Within a year he made the move over to Los Angeles to pursue a career in talent management. Whilst over there he quickly landed a role as an assistant to an endorsement agent and worked with some of America’s A-list talent. Upon his return to Australia he began work with Hemisphere as the talent services and endorsements coordinator.
