Adelaide Crows captain Taylor Walker says Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee should be leading the Rising Star ‘by an absolute country mile’’

Crows captain Taylor Walker has heaped praise on Port Adelaide rookie sensation Connor Rozee, saying he should be leading the AFL Rising Star award ‘by an absolute country mile’.

Connor Rozee tackles North Melbourne’s Jasper Pittard on Friday night. Picture SARAH REED

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Crows captain Taylor Walker has heaped praise on Port Adelaide rookie sensation Connor Rozee, saying he should be leading the AFL Rising Star award “by an absolute country mile’’.

Just two weeks before Adelaide meets hometown rival the Power in Showdown 46 at Adelaide Oval, Walker said he had never seen a first-year player make such an impact as Rozee has in the first six rounds.

“He’s a star,’’ Walker told Channel 7 of last year’s No. 5 draft pick.

Connor Rozee has enjoyed a spectacular start to his AFL career. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

“I think Rozee should be leading it (the AFL Rising Star) by an absolute country mile.

“His impact on the game has been outstanding, the best I have seen in my time, 12 years in the AFL.

“To be able to come in and rip the game apart like he has been awesome to watch.’’

Rozee, 19, is second favourite for this year’s Rising Star behind ace Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh, who was the No. 1 pick at last year’s draft.

"I think Rozee should be leading (the Rising Star) by an absolute country mile."@texwalker13 with some high, high praise for the Power youngster #GameDay pic.twitter.com/aPqfU2c2DX

— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 28, 2019

He is averaging 17 disposals, eight contested possessions and seven score involvements and has booted nine goals — the best return from any first-year player.

Utility Rozee, who is being played as a forward by Port, won a Rising Star nomination in round three after kicking five goals in a losing effort against Brisbane at the Gabba.

Power great Kane Cornes also has been gushing in his praise of Rozee, comparing him to Fremantle Brownlow Medallist Nathan Fyfe.

“He’s the next Nathan Fyfe of the competition,’’ Cornes said.

“He can sit on peoples heads, he can do it on the ground, he’s got genuine pace and matchwinning ability. And matchwinners don’t grow on trees.’’

Connor Rozee tackles North Melbourne’s Jasper Pittard on Friday night. Picture SARAH REED

Port assistant coach Brett Montgomery said he hadn’t seen a teenage draftee more mentally prepared than North Adelaide product Rozee.

“The way Connor turned up here was extremely impressive,’’ he said.

“He arrived a very well-developed young man physically and mentally and in terms of his craft, his knowledge and game sense, which was a breath of fresh air,” Montgomery said.

“Apart from his obvious talents with the ball — being clean, his silky-smooth skills and his decision-making — he’s one of these rare kids who understands his role in team defence and at stoppage to set the ground up.

“He’s got a high level of footy acumen and intellect. He’s as good as anyone I’ve seen in those areas.’’