St Kilda’s AFLW Mentor Program, the first of its kind within the competition, aims to help athletes balance and develop their professional and personal lives.

Alice Burke and Jack Sinclair may be at vastly different stages of their careers, but the similarities between them are undeniable.

From their respective moves to the backline, to juggling work, study and footy at the same time, the Saints pair have a great deal in common both on and off the football field.

As part of the Saints' AFLW Mentor Program, Alice and Jack have made the most out of their relationship to support each other through the highs, lows and everything in-between.

Can you talk a little bit about your relationship?  

AB: I’ve been paired up with Jack since the start of 2020 when I first got drafted. It was great to work with someone that’s managed studying at university as well as playing sport at the same time.

We’ve met up a few times for coffee and a chat. We have a lot in common in terms of our ambitions for the game. When we first got paired up, Jack had just been moved to the same position I was playing in (in the backline). Because I was a bit new to the backline myself it was good to pick his brain about how to play that position.

Obviously, I’ve got my dad at home who’s a massive help, but it’s great to have someone else involved at St Kilda.

JS: Alice and I got paired up when she first came to the footy club. Because I was 19 when I was drafted, I had a full year at university while trying to play footy while working part-time, so with my background we are kind of similar.

I really enjoy working with Alice. She’s easy-going and I’m there to help her where I can, if she wants to ever ask me questions, she knows she can.

What kind of conversations do you have with each other?

AB: Majority of our conversations have been about supporting each other. When I played my first game Jack helped me with my nerves – I was over the top nervous – so he was really great. He helped me visualise what I wanted to get out of the game and simplified it for me.

When we had our joint training session with the men’s group earlier this year, Jack was fantastic at explaining what I needed to improve on. He’s very constructive with his feedback.

In return, whenever I see that Jack’s won player of the week or had a decent game, I shoot him a text. We boost each other up.

JS: I'm not there to tell Alice how to play. I know she’s got plenty of good people around her in her Dad, family and the coaches. I’m there as someone outside of that if she ever needs or wants to chat.

Alice, what’s it like having a mentor at the club?

AB: Whenever Jack and I see each other at the club we always say hi and have a chat. When I first started at the club I didn’t know a lot of the men’s players personally, but now I do thanks to him.  

Jack, can you talk about your similarities? 

JS: There’s a positional element to our relationship. We’re both defenders off half-back. 

Defence is as new to me as it is to Alice. I’ve only played in the backline for a couple of years. We’ve used each other to improve on our game from that perspective.

Alice, what’s Jack’s advice been to you?

AB: A lot of what Jack says to me is "be yourself – your own game will come to you".

His advice is mostly about not trying to do anything too hard on your own, and that things will come naturally.

Jack, what do you admire most about Alice? 

JS: Obviously I admire her work on the field. She’s really hard at it and competitive. She wants to win and you can see that. You can see she’s passionate in the way that she plays and that she’s always got a smile on her face.

Off the field, I admire the way she's studying while making her way in the AFLW from minimal experience growing up (her background is in soccer).

For the most part, the guys have all played Auskick or been playing footy for 10+ years, but for our women they may be new to the game. I admire how she’s come in and played a lot in the first few years – it's not easy to do.

I admire all the girls. They put so much time into their footy like it's full-time job, even though they’re not considered full-time athletes.

It’s been great to see Alice improve this season and since I've known her. I can’t wait to work with her in the future and see what else she can do.