Ando’s Shout: From kicking snags to waving flags: Why David Rodan has footy’s happiest grin
David Rodan spent his career splitting the big sticks, but has since forged a serious career waving flags between them. JON ANDERSON speaks to the man behind footy’s happiest grin ahead of his 100th game.
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From an aesthetic perspective, there’s a compelling argument to suggest David Rodan is one of the AFL’s best advertisements.
You know David “D-Rod” Rodan, he of the dancing feet who previously kicked regular goal of the week contenders before going on to win the 2014 version of Dancing With The Stars.
These days he’s the happiest flag waver in the business, coming up for his 100th game as a goal umpire this weekend after playing 65 matches for Richmond, 111 at Port Adelaide and nine at Melbourne from 2002-13.
JA: Why do you always seem so happy when signalling a goal?
DR: I do get a lot of positive comments about it which is good. I just love seeing a great goal kicked, so I give a nice little smile, not too over the top. I know how hard they are to kick so I give them a smile and hope they feel the love.
JA: Like the recent Collingwood-North Melbourne game when they combined for 37 goals from just 52 shots?
DR: My arms were getting tired that game. You love being involved in games like that, plus I have the best seat in the house, such as when Bobby Hill took that massive hanger.
JA: What’s hardest, kicking a miracle goal, winning Dancing With The Stars or adjudicating a really tough shot for goal?
DR: They’re all live and in all of them you have to make a quick decision. I actually enjoy being in stressful moments, so all of them.
JA: You seem made for footy, dancing and goal umpiring.
DR: I’ve always had fast feet and always enjoyed dancing, and I think that came out in my footy. Being a goal umpire, footwork and speed are important.
JA: You had four knee reconstructions, two traditionals, two LARS. If you were 32 and you did your knee in March with your side in contention to win a flag, might you give LARS a go?
DR: Under those circumstances, yes. But I understand why the traditional way is more common.
JA: How did you become a goal umpire?
DR: I was working in the diversity department of the AFL, where I worked with getting Indigenous and multicultural umpires going. So I thought it would be good to experience some umpiring.
JA: What do you need to be a good goal umpire?
DR: Being able to read the ball flight, which was part of my role as a small player. Obviously speed so you can get to the right positions and of course decision-making, when to go, when not to, or being decisive in your call.
JA: Any finals yet?
DR: No, but my ultimate goal is to do a final. I played in three with Port Adelaide in 2007 and would love to add at least one as an umpire.
JA: In public what are you recognised for?
DR: When I go to watch one of my four sons play footy, their mates get pretty excited and start doing goal umpiring signals. People around my age (40) know me for playing footy and the older generation relate to my dancing.
JA: What has made you the most nervous?
DR: My very first AFL game against Collingwood in Round 1, 2002, at the MCG, plus my first game as a goal umpire. But maybe the very first episode of DWTS because it was live and unlike football it was out of my comfort zone. You are dancing in front of the nation. We got three 10s for a cha-cha.
JA: What do you do other than waving the twin calicos?
DR: I work in commercial construction from Monday to Saturdays. We have four sons who play in four different teams at four different age groups. Plus two of them play basketball as well. They’re aged 15, 13, 11 and eight. I have a phenomenal wife (Carla). All the boys (Tevita, Maikeli, Tomasi and Salesi) have the rhythm in them.
JA: You were famously late for training in your first season, prompting Richmond coach Danny Frawley to make you wear eight watches.
DR: Punt Road traffic caught me out and I was never late again. ‘Richo’ (Matthew Richardson) re-enacted it for his podcast with a digitally altered picture.
Originally published as Ando’s Shout: From kicking snags to waving flags: Why David Rodan has footy’s happiest grin
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