Cranbourne’s Zak Roscoe on his rising status in the Southern league

Zak Roscoe wasn’t always the destructive midfielder he is today. We discover how he “evolved” into the most damaging player in the Southern league.

Zak Roscoe.

Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien remembers it well.

He welcomed Zak Roscoe back to Cranbourne after a three-year stint at Noble Park with the invitation to a few laps.

They walked and they talked.

O’Brien offered Roscoe, the then wing-half forward, a new role as an inside midfielder.

Roscoe had O’Brien’s backing and took the role on.

Now, as Cranbourne chases its second Southern league flag in two years, Roscoe is the Eagles’ key as the most damaging midfielder in the competition.

“He had played a little bit of it before but he was really keen to take that on,” O’Brien recalls.

“It was just giving him the confidence to get to work and backing his skill set in as that type of player.

“Now he keeps evolving in the role, he keeps getting new challenges but he keeps stepping up to the plate.

“It’s just the constant evolution in this game, you’re always learning no matter what position you hold, whether you’re coaching or a player, there’s always something new.

“He fully embraces that.”

Zak Roscoe of Cranbourne rarely gets an easy touch. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Roscoe says O’Brien’s trust has “made him a better player”, as has his pre-season at VFL level.

“A lot is through the VFL, being a bit fitter, being a bit stronger but also seeing the game through a different lens,” Roscoe says.

“Stringing a few good games together early, it gives you the confidence that you are up to the level to impact week-in, week-out.

“In my first year in the midfield last year, I took a lot of gambles trying to get through contests trying to get those perfect plays.

“You sort of see how VFL and AFL players train to stay in the moment a little bit longer and let the play pan out before taking risks.

“Be around the ball for a bit longer and protect the space, not leaving it too early.”

Roscoe leaves the field after Cranbourne’s recent finals win. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

After being “pushed off the ball” in his first season in the midfield, Roscoe had some guidance from a VFL premiership captain.

“Recently, working with Mitch White, he was at Cranny and was Casey’s captain as well,” he said.

“He spoke to me a lot about stoppage work, it has been massive for me.

“I was smaller and lighter playing as a winger going into the middle, I had to put on some size and strength to compete with the big bodies in there.

“I was getting pushed off the ball a bit but this year I can hold my own a bit more.”

Roscoe clears the ball. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Roscoe’s evolution as a player has increased rapidly in 2023, going from 15 goals last season to an impressive 44 this year.

He says he has kicked a lot better this year but gaining a lot more attention around the midfield demands him to push forward to impact the game.

O’Brien expects Roscoe to improve again next year and, if he does, a VFL club is certain to come knocking.

Roscoe will explore it if the right opportunity comes.

“I think if I get offered the opportunity, I would want to do that,” he says.

“I don’t want to get comfortable playing local football, if the opportunity to play a higher level comes up I would absolutely take it.”

Cranbourne takes on Cheltenham again in this Saturday’s grand final where Roscoe will hunt his second flag and Meneilly Medal for best-afield.