Round 3 Rising Star: Connor Rozee living up to expectations in Chad Wingard’s No.20 jumper

It took Connor Rozee just three games to boot a bag of five goals, which is quite a feat, with the Port Adelaide youngster quickly living up to expectations in Chad Wingard’s old No.20 jumper.

Connor Rozee kicked five goals against the Lions on Saturday night. Picture: AAP

A player kicking five goals in a game is hardly remarkable — it has been achieved 9229 times in league history.

But booting a bag of five goals in your third senior game — as Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee did at the weekend — is quite a feat.

It took Tony Lockett 10 games before he snagged a bag of five or more goals.

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Jason Dunstall took six games to achieve the feat and Gary ­Ablett Sr 15.

Rozee’s effort against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba earnt him the Round 3 NAB Rising Star nomination.

“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.”

Selected with pick five in last year’s draft, Rozee was given his choice of jumper number this season and opted for No.20 — left ­vacant by Chad Wingard’s departure to Hawthorn.

Rozee knew selecting No.20 would come with expectations.

“There’s a little bit of ­external pressure but I try not to put too much pressure on myself,” he said.

“Hopefully I can play my best footy in that jumper.”

Connor Rozee is the Round 3 Rising Star after his bag of five goals against Brisbane. Picture: AAP

A St Kilda fan growing up despite being raised in Adelaide, Rozee idolised former Saints midfielder Lenny Hayes.

While happy getting on the end of goals in the forward line for the time being, he hopes to one day move into the midfield just like his hero.

“That’s where I played most of my juniors coming through and last year once I started playing a bit of senior footy I got moved into the backline and forward as well,” Rozee said.

“But at the moment I’m loving playing down forward.”

For now, though, a big clash against a depleted Richmond at Adelaide Oval on Saturday is the focus as the Power look to get back on the winners’ list after their 17-point loss to the Lions.

“We go in this week pretty confident against the Tigers,” Rozee said.

“Obviously they’ve got a few out but we definitely won’t come in complacent and hopefully we can come away with a win.”

Originally published as Round 3 Rising Star: Connor Rozee living up to expectations in Chad Wingard’s No.20 jumper