Connor Rozee lauds draftees, outlines why Port Adelaide will be a better side in 2025

Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee has hailed the impact of two of the club’s draftees — including top pick Joe Berry. Plus, the skipper on why Port will be a better side in 2025.

Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee believes the Power’s squad is in a better position than 12 months ago despite losing dual All-Australian Dan Houston to Collingwood.

And the second-year skipper has given high praise to the club’s top two draftees, saying goalsneak Joe Berry and tall forward Jack Whitlock are going to be stars.

Houston was part of Port’s leadership group and earnt his second consecutive All-Australian blazer this past season, before being traded to Collingwood in a three-club swap in October.

The Power netted nine-game Magpies small forward Joe Richards in that deal, along with picks 13 and 29, using them to grab Berry and Whitlock.

Coming off a preliminary final, Port was criticised externally in some quarters for giving up Houston cheaply.

But Rozee said the club did “a really good job of putting ourselves in a better position” than before trading the 27-year-old.

Connor Rozee is adamant the Power will be a better team in 2025. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Football’s an interesting sport these days — there’s people moving all over the shop,” Rozee said at Port’s annual general meeting at Alberton.

“For different reasons, Dan wanted to get home.

“He obviously did an amazing job when he was here and I really loved him playing with him and having him in our group.

“But I firmly believe we’re in a better position now than this time last year as a whole of our playing group.

“The guys that have come in have made an impact straight away.

“It seems like a big loss in the time but it’s what we can get out of the situation.

“The most exciting thing for me is you look at our draftees – Joe Berry and Jack look like they’re going to be stars.

“I’m really excited to get into some match play and see what they can do.”

Rozee says Joe Berry and Jack Whitlock shape as future stars. Picture: Michael Klein

Rozee played all bar one of the Power’s 24 games this year and finished fourth in its club champion award.

He said one of the many things he learnt during his first season as captain was needing to be a little more selfish at times.

“Being my first year as a leader, I just wanted to do everything right by the playing group and put just a little bit too much energy into other people throughout the game when we’ve been focusing on things that make me a better version of myself,” he said.

“That was something I wanted to do at the start of the season was lead by example.

“I probably got back to that in the last couple of games and finals.”

Port’s season ended with a 36-point preliminary final loss to Sydney at the SCG – its third defeat at that stage in the past five campaigns.

Rozee said getting back to the last four would be a huge challenge.

“It’s about creating an environment where our young guys can evolve and learn from the experiences they’ve had the last couple of times we’ve played finals,” he said.

Rozee singled out midfielder Jackson Mead as someone who had gone to another level this pre-season, particularly with his running.