Power young gun Rozee aiming for more midfield minutes in 2020
Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee burst onto the AFL scene last year as a teenage goal-kicking sensation. Now entering his second year, the Power’s star talent is pushing for more midfield time in 2020.
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Port Adelaide young gun Connor Rozee says he’s seeking to build his endurance this pre-season ahead of a much-wanted move into the midfield after a stunning debut season at AFL level.
In just his first year, the 19-year-old finished as the Power’s leading goalkicker and was fourth in their best and fairest count.
He also finished second in the AFL’s Rising Star award behind Carlton’s Sam Walsh.
With pre-season starting again for the Power’s first to fourth-year players this morning - however, SANFL finals commitments meant only eight players hit the track at Alberton - Rozee said getting a chance in his favourite midfield position was his aim in his second season.
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The No. 5 draft pick told The Advertiser of his goal to become an on-baller in the mould of GWS star Josh Kelly and Sydney’s Isaac Heeney, adding he needed to build his running tank and put on some kilos to help him prepare for the move.
“(It’s about) just building on how I finished last year… firstly, establish myself in the team again and then hopefully during the year move into the midfield,” Rozee said.
“Endurance is probably the main one, especially if I’m going to move into the midfield.
“Whenever Ken (Hinkley) wants me to go out there, I’m happy whenever I play forward, but whenever he needs me to go into the midfield I’ll go there.
“So, I’ll keeping pushing my case.”
In addition to his goal-kicking abilities, Rozee has also been thrown into defence in the past - most notably during North Adelaide’s stunning 2018 SANFL premiership win.
But while he liked playing in different positions, he’s waiting for Hinkley to give him the green light for a stint in the Power’s engine room.
“It’s more about a case of improving, and when he thinks the time is right he will move me in there,” Rozee said.
During this AFL season, Port Adelaide was criticised as being too slow in the midfield, with too many big-bodied players at the coal face.
Rozee hoped he could add some pace around the stoppages in 2020.
“I’m a little bit of a different body shape to most of those boys (already in there),” he said.
“I think what I bring differently is a bit of leg speed, and run and carry with the ball.”
There were 11 players in this morning’s main training group including Rozee, Dan Houston, Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters, while Taj Schofield, son of assistant coach Jarred, also joined in.
Jack Watts, who suffered an horrific leg injury early last season, ran laps of Alberton alongside superstar team-mate Robbie Gray.
The rest of Port Adelaide’s playing list will return for pre-season on November 18.