Connor Rozee named Port Adelaide’s new captain, signs eight-year contract extension

Connor Rozee is one of the youngest captains in Port Adelaide’s 153-year history – and he has a fellow South Australian to thank for guiding him to the top so quickly.

Leadership advice from cricket star Travis Head has played a key role behind Connor Rozee’s ascent to Port Adelaide’s captaincy.

Rozee revealed that South Australian skipper Head, the hero of last month’s World Cup final triumph in India, had been a sounding board for two years, as the Power young gun transformed from a promising forward to a dual All-Australian midfielder.

Port Adelaide anointed Rozee as its successor to the retired Tom Jonas as captain on Monday – while also announcing the 23-year-old’s contract extension for a mammoth eight seasons.

Along with his parents and past Power skippers Jonas, Travis Boak and Ollie Wines, Rozee nominated Head as someone who had shaped his leadership path.

Head is a Port Adelaide ambassador.

Connor Rozee in the No. 1 jumper at Alberton Oval on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

“When (former assistant) Nathan Bassett was at the club, he set us up with someone outside the club to learn a bit of extra leadership stuff off,” Rozee said.

“I love my cricket so it was a good relationship for me.

“He’s someone that I can reach out to for questions.

“When he (Head) is back in Adelaide we’re able to catch up and have discussions about not only leadership but just life in general.”

Rozee becomes the eighth Power skipper and one of the youngest in the club’s 153-year history.

Fellow midfield star and 2018 draftee Zak Butters was named vice-captain, while Dan Houston, Willem Drew and Sam Powell-Pepper were chosen in the leadership group.

Zak Butters, left, has been named Rozee’s deputy for 2024. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Rozee, who joined the club via pick 5 in the 2018 national draft, said the thought of captaining the side one day emerged a couple of years ago.

“I’ve always been that sort of personality that wants to lead people and make other people better,” he said.

“I’m still only 23 but feel like I’m a mature 23 and am ready to take this club forward, and hopefully lead it to some success.”

Unsure as yet what type of leader he would be, Rozee said he was not as stern as Jonas and liked putting his arm around the younger players.

Power coach Ken Hinkley said Rozee was the right choice.

“Connor, by his own words, has got that little step ahead of Zak with the maturity part,” Hinkley said.

“Zak sometimes can blow up a bit easier, Connor’s a bit calmer.

“He’s been a great influence on Zak.”

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was all smiles as the club announced the big news. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Wines, who was co-captain with Jonas in 2019 and acting skipper for much of last season, was overlooked as the Power opted for an entirely new leadership group.

Hinkley said Wines, 29, was one of first people he spoke to about the club’s direction.

“Oll, by his own admission, didn’t have the season he would’ve liked from a performance point of view,” he said.

“I think it’s a great moment for him to step into a supporting role and help these two boys lead in their own way, and allow him to get back to playing his absolute best football.

“When we had the discussions about the right direction for the club to take … he said ‘let them know it’s their turn and opportunity, and I’ll be there to support them’.”

Rozee’s contract is the joint-longest in the AFL, along with Western Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton.

Hinkley said while there were risks with a deal so long, Rozee was an ideal candidate.

“Fit, firing, two All-Australians, a best-and-fairest – his best footy is still coming,” he said.

“So we probably got him cheap, I reckon.”

Originally published as Connor Rozee named Port Adelaide’s new captain, signs eight-year contract extension