James Rowe has taken his game to a new level with the Eagles in the SANFL

TEENAGER James Rowe is adamant his height is no issue as he makes his mark at Woodville-West Torrens.

James Rowe making mark with the Eagles. Picture: Dylan Coker

CALEB Daniel has become the pin-up hero for footballers challenged by height.

Had Daniel been six foot one in the old language, it is more than likely he would have been drafted from South Adelaide as the top pick in 2014.

Instead, the product of the Panthers junior programs is 168cm (5.5 feet) and was considered a risk on the national stage. There were even fears he may have been overlooked entirely despite his exceptional skills.

Western Bulldogs took a punt on Daniel and his name was called out at No. 46. The rest is history as they say, Daniel now being an AFL premiership player with the Bulldogs as he etches out a highly successful career.

So much so, he has become the reference point scouts use when deciding whether a shorter player has the ingredients to be successful at the highest level.

Talented Woodville-West Torrens teenager James Rowe, son of former Adelaide and Norwood player Stephen, is only 173cm, but is a typical ambitious youngster dreaming of an AFL career.

Unfortunately for the youngster, he missed a spot with an AFL club at last year’s draft, and as with Daniel, there were concerns about his height.

But he showed that was no issue with an outstanding league debut for the Eagles against Glenelg in round four when he picked up 27 possessions and five clearances on the ball, and had three tackles.

As scouts will say, he knows how to find the ball, he has a football brain. He showed no fear chasing the ball.

“I was a bit nervous and excited,” Rowe, right, with the ball, said. “The whole experience was very good. I was hoping like every other 18-year-old to get on a (AFL) list last year. During the year I just tried to do my best and sometimes I let it consume me.

“Now I’m just enjoying my footy at the Eagles, just enjoy whatever grade I play. I’d love to play AFL, but I’m enjoying my footy and working on my weaknesses to get better.”

While Rowe says it would help being 195cm and the perfect shaped footballer, he refuses to use height as an excuse.

“If you are good enough, you are good enough and you work with what you have got,” he said. “I don’t worry about it, I don’t think I’m too small.”

Rowe describes Eagles coach Michael Godden as a legend, and “as a little fella like me, he helps me with everything”.

As for his dad, he never saw him play.

“One of his friends showed me a hanger which dad claims he took in the 1997 (SANFL) grand final,” Rowe said. “It is not even a hanger. Like me, we both can’t get off the ground.”