CONNOR ROZEE burst onto the AFL scene in 2019 as a dynamic forward that finished the season as Port Adelaide’s leading goalkicker. This year he is among a group of young guns looking to have an impact in the Power’s midfield as the side aims to improve on consecutive Preliminary Finals losses.

Rozee has long been earmarked for a role in the midfield. A shift for more minutes on the ball last season was derailed by foot surgery late in the pre-season and a host of injuries to the club’s small forwards, requiring him to spend more time inside forward 50.

But free from injury and feeling fresh, Rozee has set clear goals for 2022.

“I want to get into the midfield more and have more of an impact on games,” Rozee said during a press conference on Monday.

“It’s hard to set specific goals in terms of numbers and that sort of thing but our plan is to play finals again and to go deep, and I want to have as big an impact as I can.”

Rozee is entering his fourth season and his first in the last couple of years without off-season surgery.

He turned 22 at the weekend and described feeling “really fit and strong” as he looks to join youngsters Jackson Mead, Miles Bergman, Xavier Duursma, Josh Sinn and Zak Butters in Port’s engine room alongside experienced campaigners Travis Boak and Ollie Wines.

Sinn in particular has impressed Rozee since being the club’s first-round selection at November’s draft.

“Joshy Sinn has been really good,” Rozee said. “He’s been working with the midfield group so I’ve seen him the most and he’s been really impressive.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a bit of him throughout the season.”

With news on Monday that forward Orazio Fantasia and Charlie Dixon had suffered respective knee and ankle injuries and would consult surgeons to determine whether surgery would be required, Rozee said he would play forward if required to cover any absences during the season.

“It’s not necessarily a thing that it’s midfield or bust for me,” he said. “I just want to win games – that’s the main thing for me.

“I think one of my main strengths is that I can play both roles. Obviously, the plan is to get my fitness up and give myself the best opportunity to go in there because hopefully that’ll be a big part of my game going forward but football is pretty flexible and injuries can change the game week to week.

“The plan is at this stage to play more midfield minutes but you never know depending on what happens before the season.”

As well as a host of new faces pushing for selection, Port Adelaide’s midfield has a new man at the helm with Brett Montgomery taking over as line coach.

Rozee has enjoyed working with the 2004 Premiership player and his fresh perspective.

“He sees the game really well and he’s really footy smart,” Rozee said of Montgomery. “I get along with him really well and he wants to take the approach of using our strengths as a midfield group rather than having the same boys in there.

“He’s been really good for my development so far – just the little things and how he sees the game.”

Rozee’s fellow 2018 draftee Xavier Duursma has re-signed with the club until the end of 2024 and Rozee’s name will be high on Port Adelaide’s list of players to re-contract.

He explained he was a South Australian who loved playing at the club, but would focus on football and allow his management and the club to deal with contract discussions.

“I’m still going over that at the club at the moment,” he explained. “I leave that sort of stuff mostly to my manager so I think they’re slowly talking with the club and hopefully some time soon or during the year we’ll get that sorted.

“It’s not a massive priority (for me) at the moment. Pre-season is the main one and being fit for Round 1.

“I really enjoy playing for Port Adelaide and have loved my first four years here so I’m sure that will get put to bed soon. Hopefully the club and my manager can get that done.

“I try not to worry about that stuff too much. My head is more around the football side of things and that will get sorted by itself.”