Revealed: Crows, Power players joining Max & Ali on Mix 102.3

Two AFL players – who play for rival teams Crows and Power – are getting their kicks on radio at Mix 102.3. Find out who.

This year is turning out to be one of new beginnings for Ivan Soldo.
Not only has the ruckman officially started playing for Port Adelaide, but he has also just signed on with Mix 102.3.

Ivan is going to be a regular contributor on Max & Ali in the Morning, the rebranded Ali Clarke Breakfast Show.

It is the latest change for the program, which has had a shake-up of staff in recent months – executive producer Kate Meade recently left, AFLW legend Erin Phillips didn’t sign on for 2024 (and is now at SAFM) and Shane Lowe got the axe.

But new radio recruit Ivan isn’t the only footy player who will be making his mark alongside breakfast presenters Max Burford and Ali Clarke.

Ivan Soldo. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

Reilly O’Brien. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Crows ruck Reilly O’Brien is also going to be heard on the show. His signing to Mix is a back-to-back win; he was also part of the on-air talent last year.

FYI, Reilly is engaged to Adelaide’s Chloe Swale and Ivan also has a girlfriend, Chelsea Becirevic, who has been named “Australia’s hottest new WAG”.

Reilly O'Brien and Chloe Swale. Picture: Instagram

Ivan Soldo and Chelsea Becirevic. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

While both players will “bring listeners behind-the-scenes insights from the Port Adelaide and

Adelaide Crows camps”, there could also be some friendly rivalry, especially when they are in the studio at the same time.

The question is will it be more intense than that which exists between Crows fanatic Ali and one-eyed Power supporter Max?

Mix 102.3 Max Burford and Ali Clarke. Picture: Supplied

To kick things off, Reilly and Ivan will be teaming up for the first time, on Max & Ali, on Friday, March 8.

After that, for the most part, they will go their separate ways on the airwaves.

Reilly, who has brawn and brains (he has not one, but two degrees – a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Master of Neuroscience), will join Max and Ali every Monday to talk post round recap.

On Wednesdays, Ivan will be discussing the round ahead.

Reilly O'Brien warming up during the 2023 AFL Round 17 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Ivan Soldo kicks a goal during the 2024 AFL Community Series match between Port Adelaide Power and Fremantle Dockers at Alberton Oval. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

It will make for an interesting mix: Reilly has been with the Crows since 2014, while Ivan has just been traded from Richmond, where he was a 2019 premiership player.

“Ivan’s new to town while ROB is part of the furniture in Adelaide, so I can’t wait to see

how they see things,” Ali says, adding: “Let’s face it … so many other people talk about the on-field footy stuff, but we want to get everyone behind the scenes.”