DASHING Port Adelaide midfielder Connor Rozee is preparing to celebrate his 100th AFL game this Saturday night, in a huge Showdown clash.
Since being drafted by the Power in 2018, Rozee has grown into a classy, composed footballer and impressive, young leader.
Speaking to the Adelaide media on Tuesday, the 23-year-old spoke on learning from the loss to Collingwood, the Power’s traditional cross-town rivalry with Adelaide, and which player has most impacted his brief, but bright, career.
Rozee on his 100th game
“(It has snuck up on me) a little bit, I feel like I'm still part of the younger group. We've got a big core young group at our club now and I guess 100 games, it feels a little bit surreal. I'm just sort of starting my career and learning a lot of things still off the older guys at the club and building different parts of my game and my leadership, so to make it to this milestone already is a proud moment for me and my family and it's great that I get to share that at home. Lots of my friends and family are coming this weekend.
“If I got to pick a game during the year (to celebrate my 100th), it would probably be (a Showdown) so I'm really looking forward to getting out there on the weekend especially after losing one earlier in the year. There are more important things than my 100th game this week (though), the boys are pretty fired up and ready to go.”
Rozee on his career achievements so far
“Some that stand out are probably my debut, that was as pretty cool moment when you first get the opportunity. And then when we’ve made finals, that's been the most exciting time for me is getting so close, which is frustrating in some respects, but it gives you that drive to go a little bit further and I want more than anything to win a premiership for this football club. If we can do that in my playing career that would be the ultimate goal.”
Rozee on where he sees himself in the competition
“I definitely am striving toward (being one of the best players in the competition). I think that's part of my growth as a player is to push myself forward and I don't think that's on me to say whether I'm in that conversation or not, that's for external people to decide. I think internally I’ve become a more consistent player this season and grown my game in different respects to be able to be more consistent, which is what our playing group needs. (You want) midfielders that are going to turn up every week and you know what you're going to get from them. I'm just trying to build my game every week and like I said before I'm a pretty young player still so there's still so much I can get better at.”
Rozee on the loss to Collingwood
“We've been pretty fortunate this year in getting over the line in a lot of close games and I think our game style stands up in those close games. I think you probably learn more from a loss than you do from a win. It's hard to sort of review games to a certain extent when you're winning every single week. It definitely makes people listen when we haven't quite done something right and we're able to touch that up especially before finals where there are obviously going to be lot of close games. We’re going to be put in those situations more often and I think it will put us in good stead as a young group.”
Rozee on who has had an impact on his growth
“So many people. If I was to call out one, probably Travis Boak. He's the easiest one to call out but he's been my mentor now for a few years and since moving into the midfield especially I've learned so much from him on field, but I think the biggest thing I've learned from him is (about) separating the player and human. That's definitely made things easier for me, easier to deal with media and expectations and all those things that come with football that you probably don't expect when you get drafted and you just want to play footy. It’s been an interesting ride but Travis has been enormous and our coaching group as well – Ken and everyone else have been great.”
Rozee on Josh Carr
“Josh has been great since he’s come in. We obviously have the connection from North Adelaide. I think he's been great, not only for me personally but for our whole midfield group. He's great with his messaging, he's clear, he's concise, he doesn’t give us too much to focus on during the game. He lets us play our natural game and play to our strengths, which is what you want from your coach, is to give you confidence to go out there and perform and he's been great at doing that since coming to the club.”
Rozee on the team’s connection
“Our group's changes slightly (over the last few years) but I feel like we’re in a similar mindset in terms of wanting to go all the way. I think our connection is better, personally, for this group. We’re such a close group and we understand each other really well on and off the field, which I think in turn, has helped us to deal with external expectations and to keep that run going for as long as it did. It's a great group and I love playing with this group and hopefully we can keep it together.”
Rozee on the Showdown this Saturday
“That rivalry's been there for many years now but it's important to just get our season on track again after a couple of disappointing losses. We've definitely got bigger things in mind in terms of the season but we're really excited for this week. We love Showdowns, everyone loves Showdowns, the whole state loves it so I can't wait to get out there and go to battle.”
