Rising Star Connor Rozee’s clean hands at ‘another level’, says Port Adelaide premiership star Brett Montgomery

Port Adelaide premiership star Brett Montgomery has described rookie sensation and Rising Star nominee Connor Rozee as having as clean a pair of hands as he has seen in football.

Connor Rozee shows poise for Port Adelaide. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

• Bassett’s wrap for young gun Rozee
• Moment on Monday: Rozee’s pace excites
• Five-goal Rozee proves a shining light
• Diary of an AFL draftee: Rozee’s journey

Port Adelaide premiership star Brett Montgomery has described rookie sensation Connor Rozee as having as clean a pair of hands as he has seen in football.

In a glowing endorsement of the exciting 19-year-old — who on Monday became the Power’s first AFL Rising Star nomination in more than a year — Montgomery marvelled at No. 5 draft pick Rozee’s ability to handle a greasy ball during the 17-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Connor Rozee takes a screamer against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night. Picture: DAVE HUNT (AAP).

“We know his obvious talents but one thing he’s done that he hasn’t had a lot of credit for is that he’s been super clean when it’s been either wet or dewy, he’s looked at another level in that part of the game,’’ said Montgomery, who played alongside Brownlow Medallist Gavin Wanganeen and four-times premiership ace Shaun Burgoyne in Port’s 2004 flag side.

“Our players found the going pretty tough up at the Gabba for ball handling but he didn’t.

“His four-quarter performance was off the charts.’’

Utility Rozee’s breakout five-goal, 21-disposal, seven-mark display saw him beat off strong competition from Carlton’s No. 1 draft pick Sam Walsh, exciting Geelong forward Gryan Miers and Richmond debutant Sydney Stack to win the round three Rising Star nomination.

“I think I’ve been pretty dangerous down forward the last couple of weeks so once our midfield got on top I was able to get a few opportunities,” Rozee said.

“It’s always good when you can get on the end of a few and kick a few goals.

“It definitely gives me confidence for the rest of the season.”

It was the Power's first nomination since round one last year when defender Riley Bonner was rewarded for a 31-disposal performance against Fremantle.

“He's absolutely right up there (when it comes to clean hands),’’ Montgomery said of Rozee, a 2018 North Adelaide SANFL premiership defender who has played as a forward for Port.

“Ground level, in the air, what he produced on the weekend was a really complete performance.’’

Rozee’s State under-18 coach Tony Bamford last year said the 185cm athletic machine was so effective with the ball that he would rather take a dozen disposals from him than 25 from most other players.

Montgomery agreed.

“Quality of touch, timing, we have been really happy with his eight or nine possession games (in the pre-season) to date, just for his involvements, the fact he’s a really smart player and takes a lot of work to defend, which creates opportunities for others,’’ he said.

“We had a discussion about him last week, about the possibility of spending more time on a wing or inside (midfielder), these are high level conversations for a first-year player.

“I don't see any boundaries there, with that talent.’’

Connor Rozee celebrates one of his five goals against Brisbane at The Gabba. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Rozee — wearing new Hawk Chad Wingard’s old No. 20 guernsey — has averaged 19 disposals and kicked seven goals in his first three games but it was his third-up effort that has the football world talking about him.

At 19 years and 74 days, he became the youngest Power player to kick five goals, eclipsing premiership skipper Warren Tredrea’s 21-year-old record.

Tredrea was 19 years, 136 days old when he achieved the feat in round seven, 1998, bagging eight majors against Carlton.

Even Brisbane coach Chris Fagan was impressed with the new boy on the block.

“He’s a fantastic player that young fella,’’ Fagan said.

“It was exciting to watch him play, he’s a great recruit.

“He didn’t kick them all (goals) on one of our defenders. He kicked them on various of our defenders and he just attacked the ball so well and finished off well.

“Credit to him, Port have got a beauty there.”