Darwin Buffaloes product Mal Rosas Jr credits Gold Coast Suns star Izak Rankine with helping his confidence ahead of his AFL debut against Brisbane Lions at Metricon

DARWIN Buffaloes product Malcolm Rosas Jr admits “I’m not the most confident bloke”. But one young star at the Suns has helped him with that, which means you should see a young man backing his immense talent when he makes his AFL debut tomorrow.

Darwin Buffaoes product Malcolm Rosas Jr pictured with Izak Rankine. Rosas Jr credits Rankine for helping him become more confident in himself. Picture: Regina King

IT’S been 18 months since Malcolm Rosas Jr was named in the Gold Coast Suns list and this weekend he’s finally getting his chance to prove himself on the big stage in the QClash.

And the Malcolm Rosas Jr that will run out onto Metricon Stadium is a vast improvement on the talented youngster who was selected as the first player to come through the club’s Academy zone in Darwin.

Rosas Jr has long showed the talent and flair that prompted the Suns to pick the livewire up as a pre-draft selection in 2019.

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But after a year and a half of hard work and training he has developed a confidence and consistency that has inspired his selection to make his mark on the big stage.

“Last year I wasn’t very developed and I just wasn’t ready,” Rosas Jr said.

“I was still a bit raw and just didn’t really know what I could be capable of. I was trying to see what I could do and figure myself out at this level.

“I was still in that development stage, and I’m still developing now but I think I’m ready to take the big step.”

The Darwin Buffaloes junior enjoyed a solid first season with the Suns playing in reserves scratch matches against rival AFL clubs.

But it wasn’t until post-season discussions with the coaching staff including head coach Stuart Dew when things started to fall into place.

“I chatted with most of the coaches and mainly forwards coach Tim Clarke and Stuey on what I needed to do to play AFL,” Rosas Jr said.

“It’s about how I need to keep my talent there but focus on playing consistent footy and just keep bringing the heat.

Darwin Buffaloes product Malcolm Rosas Jr during a Gold Coast Suns training session. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“I worked a lot on just bringing my pressure and improving my work-rate as well (throughout pre-season).

“My pressure has probably been the best I’ve ever had it right now. I just want to keep doing that and keep bringing my talent.”

That improvement has been clear on field as the 19-year-old averaged 13 disposals and five tackles across the first three games of the 2021 VFL season, with a return of two goals from that period.

But perhaps the biggest improvement he has made came off field in his pursuit to boost his confidence.

He’s close to fellow Indigenous players Jy Farrar and Izak Rankine, with the latter playing a role in helping Rosas Jnr come out of his shell and let his football do the talking.

“I’ve worked a lot with Izak on how I need to be more confident,” Rosas Jr said.

I’m not the most confident bloke, I just go with the flow normally but having that confident mentality is good. He sees that so he’s trying to help me reach my potential.

“It’s been good to see more Indigenous boys playing in our team, particularly while we’re still young and developing.

“Building that chemistry now will be good for us in the years to come.”

The Suns play the Brisbane Lions in the QClash at 4.05pm (NT time) at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.