Few players have polarised Sydney Swans fans more than Gary Rohan.
Possessing elite talent and pace to burn, the 26-year-old excitement machine has had his fair share of demons on the big stage. He’s struggled with the hype and, in the eyes of many, failed to deliver.
Hidden behind the powerful, suave, composed appearance, is a man whose doubts and nerves often get the better of him. Rohan’s confidence took a beating after the 2014 grand final, and despite better preparation last year, he admitted he was overawed in the decider.
“I know with the past two grand finals I’ve been really nervous and that kind of pulled the energy out of me,” Rohan said.
While electric in the 2016 finals, he couldn’t translate his form on the game’s biggest stage. Certainly not alone in his struggles, his form throughout 2017 wavered between inconsistent and indomitable, before ultimately fizzing out in the semi-final defeat to Geelong.
But while he was one of many who failed to perform, Rohan unfairly copped the brunt of the criticism for the dysfunctional forward line.
It’s worth rememebering the Swans wouldn’t have made the finals if it wasn’t for Rohan’s two match-winning plays. The first against the Tigers, kicking a goal to seal a remarkable come-from-behind win, and the second a mark on the line against the Bombers, seconds before the final siren, kicking the winning goal afterwards.
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Rohan in’t a prolific ball-winner, averaging just 10.1 disposals, but he’s an explosive, impact player – his run and aerial ability setting him apart.
A broken leg, serious hamstring injuries, and back issues have limited his game time, playing just 95 matches thus far, while Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery have already passed 150. His last two pre-seasons have been so affected, the club placed him on the long-term injury list, and he missed the first eight matches in 2016 and the first four in ’17.
Despite the constant setbacks, Rohan enjoyed a standout season. He was superb in attack, kicking 22 goals from 16 games, with career-best tackles per game (3.25) and his pressure acts off the chart. His flexibility at times has been key, pushing into defence before moving back to the forward line.
His ability to repeat-sprint over short-to-medium distances is almost unparalleled. For teams that thrive on forward-half pressure to generate scoring chances, there are few that do it better. Along with Tom Papley and Lance Franklin, Rohan forms a formidable, lightning-quick forward line.
AAP Image/David Moir
What’s more, Rohan has endeared himself to Sydney faithful with match-winning performances.
However, the constant injuries, interruptions in pre-season, and extended stints in the NEAFL playing different positions have affected his senior performances. It’s hard for any player that struggles with nerves to develop the confidence to overcome them if their body constantly lets them down.
A change of position, coupled with an injury-free pre-season could be the solution. Stints in the midfield will help him get the ball, and with his pace and size, he should be able to break the lines.
Translating his pressure in the forward half around the ground, and hunting the ball, would go a long way towards helping Gary Rohan adapt on the big stage.
harrry
Guest
Came across this article a bit late but it pisses me off People who write this stuff and who supposedly watch the game need to put more time in understanding the team structure and roles. Rohan plays an impact X factor role up forward and is so good he demands a key defender. Please the guy is in a forward line with Franklin who gets 7/10 of every inside 50 going at him then there is Reid leading as well. So guys like Rohan, Sinclair, Heeney Papley..... are having to battle for the scraps in the forward line. Sinclair is another example can start deep for 6-7 mins of first quarter to drag a big defender off Frankllin and Reid then rotates off goes back on at around 12min mark to relieve Naismith for 5-6 mins then maybe off again. If he doesnt get a good start in that first 6-7 mins playing deep everyone starts bagging him. Rohan the same. They play a role in the structure and they demand good players on them. Sinclair played 2 full games a key forward for a whole game against StKilda and Essendon with very few rotations on those days, allowed to roam and no structured ruck work demands. He smashed Carlisle and Hurley. He got a rubbish start in the Geelong Final (who didnt) and as a tall was the coaches whipping boy for the day once the game starting slipping away. That was was clear from the rotations. Rohan cops the same sort of treatment. Every team has these players who the supporter base gets into. However a close look at their roles in the structure and they do what is asked of them extremely well. You need to put more time into understanding the roles people are playing each week and not being so generic and uninformed in your observations of the roles these guys HAVE to play and dont CHOOSE to play.
Steff
Guest
He spends more time chasing around some old bird Lee3 or something on Instagram than he does training. Getting his priorities in order would be a start.
Steff
Guest
He spends more time chasing around some old bird Lee3 or something on Instagram than he does training. Getting his priorities in order would be a start.
Justin Mitchell
Roar Guru
Damien Hardwick sure takes the cake in recent time from Richmond, but he's just one of many. Rodan was one that copped a lot of flack during his Richmond days. I suppose it's different to Rohan. He showed a lot of potential before he was struck down by Lindsay Thomas. It took him almost 3 years before he could play football at a reasonable level again, and it's only been the last 12-15 months that he's put it together consistently. He's shown a lot of potential but little consistency. His pressure and defensive acts in the forward 50 are elite, some of the best in the competition, but at times just fades from the game with little more than a whimper. That's the most frustrating thing.
paulywalnuts
Guest
Nice post Olivia, but you're sort of contradicting yourself here. You say how "good" his good is and then bemoan his lack of confidence. How's he able to produce that good at all if his confidence in his leg is as bad as you say? That's a cop out. With respect to his big game performances, there's something else going on here.
Leonard
Guest
Doesn't every team have its 'polariser', aka scapegoat? Essendon fans will remember Kevin Walsh and Peter Somerville, both a Sheedy 'project', both derided by fans - and both premiership players. But then, there's that St Kilda dude who followed coach Lyon across the Nullarbor! Any other nominations? Richmond would've had a few recently, surely.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
I like Gary Rohan as a person very much. I worked in Cobden for a few years in the early 80's and knew his dad and uncle very well, so I was absolutely stoked when we drafted Gary - having seen dad Jimmy and uncle Peter tear up the Hampden League here was a bigger, stronger verson of them coming to play for us, and I could not have been happier. Then came Lindsey Thomas's actions, resulting in the single worst broken leg I have ever seen on a football field and, for those with long memories, that includes Nathan Brown and Jason Snell. Brown was never the same, Snell never played again but it looked as if the Football Gods had smiled on Gary - yes, he had and always will have muscular issues but the speed, balance, step change of direction and kick penetration were all intact, which is why articles such as this are written; why does this superbly talented athlete consistently fail to produce? The answer, I believe, is between his ears. I believe Gary goes out onto the field scared, waiting for his leg to fail. Anyone here who calls him a coward for that is a fool - the courage he shows in going out to play each week is inspirational. It is a completely natural, reasonable and expectable reaction after a trauma that severe. Sydney is a great club and I know that they have professionally assessed and managed this aspect of his recovery but I don't believe they have eliminated it and I wonder if it CAN be eliminated. You can almost see him playing a burst, feeling the leg cause pain and then losing focus whilst he fights his demons. The bigger the stage the greater the fear of failure, the less effective he becomes and the more upset the crowd gets; it's a vicious mental circle. I don't think a positional change would help and a Trade is not the answer for him - his legs go where he goes. The biggest issue is that his fears are reasonable and have a sound basis for existing; the leg could, literally, break again at any time. If I haven't made it plain how big a supporter of him I am by now then I'm doing something wrong. Gary has only two choices. Retire, or deal with his issues as best he can and use the Club psychologist or whoever to minimise his fears. He has chosen the latter and so I support him wholly in that. The good is so damn good that it negates the bad and I'd keep him at all cost. You can add ten times a game where his smothers, spoils and simple error causing because of his closing speed to his disposals and his goals and he starts looking a whole lot better as an assertion on field. He,ll have bad days. So will Buddy, Hanners, Luke Parker, Heeney and Mills and Jones and every other player out there. Rohan will give everything he is able to give every time he plays. It's good enough to get him a game and for me, that should be enough to get other Swans supporters off his back. It's enough for me
Paul D
Roar Guru
Zing!
Kane
Guest
Word on the street is Collingwood's offering him 500 grand a year for 4 years.
Jermayn
Guest
Back flank maybe...
I ate pies
Guest
He can run fast, that's about it for Gary.
paulywalnuts
Guest
Far, far too kind. I'd trade him, but unless you're the Suns (ie no intention of making the finals) who'd want him? Drive him out to the Grose Valley, turn him loose and hope he doesn't find his way home.
Rod
Guest
He's certainly got talent but, gosh, lacks consistency. He has rarely performed in crunch finals (but not the only one at the Swans) and maybe his role needs to be considered more astutely under those circumstances. Rely on his talents effectively in the home and away season then perhaps as a 'pinch hitter' off the bench if more finals eventuate and teams can afford the luxury of that type of role. I guess the other question is; can a player change his head space at 26 and start to handle the pressure of finals? He's admitted that the pressure gets to him, pretty regularly now. I would love to see him overcome that lack of confidence. After all his injuries and tough times, he deserves it.
Liam
Guest
"Stints in the midfield will help him get the ball..." No, they won't. If you're not naturally a ball magnet - if you've not been able to rack up disposals - then putting him in the midfield is placing more of a burden on the other players, who will be responsible for giving him the ball, as he's hardly going to get it himself. And if your whole gameplan is to give Gary Rohan the ball, there's an issue, isn't there?