Opinion
In what may have been a look into the crystal ball at the remainder of the 2020 season, Connor Rozee lit up the Adelaide Oval in Showdown 48, running amok through the centre of the ground.
Rozee’s seamless transition from up forward has ignited a Port Adelaide midfield formerly lacking in speed and excitement.
Rozee’s career-high eight clearances, five inside 50s, and 17 disposals created a pure spectacle. Not to mention this spectacle was all the more captivating as it was performed wearing the club’s prestigious prison-bar guernsey.
Rozee looked about as dangerous as a young player in his second year of senior AFL could look. It is both an awe-inspiring and a worrisome sight for Port Adelaide supporters, as it’s not the first time an excitement machine has burst onto the scene and made a name for themselves in a Showdown.
There are some bizarrely interesting comparisons to be made between Connor Rozee and former Port Adelaide player Chad Wingard, who also made a name for himself kicking five in Showdown 35. Early in their careers, both debutants in the black, white and teal were heralded as the future of the Port Adelaide Football Club.
The similarities between the two began early on, as both were scouted by the club as promising local talents. Chad Wingard, born in Murray Bridge, was picked up in the 2011 national draft at pick six as an exciting left-foot midfielder who was capable in front of goals, and possessed a Nick Riewoldt-type courage to put his body on the line. The Port Augusta-born Connor Rozee was taken by Port Adelaide seven years later at pick five in the 2018 national draft.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Both players being taken early in the first round of the draft isn’t the only coincidence. How Port Adelaide utilised a mega-trade including Hawthorn and Brisbane, which allowed Wingard his request to be traded to the Hawks, was vital for Port to obtain the desired pick five needed to move up in the draft to secure one of the hottest local talents in an unprecedented year of hot local talents, Connor Rozee.
Both would go on to immediately debut for Port Adelaide in Round 1 of 2012 and 2019, respectively. Before his debut, Chad Wingard was presented the number 20 and his guernsey from Gavin Wanganeen, a Port Adelaide legend whose game style resembled that of Wingard and Rozee. Almost as if by fate, the same number 20 would be passed on to Rozee years later, after Wingard’s departure to the Hawks.
During one of the 19 games played in his debutant season, Chad Wingard received his Rising Star nomination in a losing effort against the Brisbane Lions in Round 22. Wingard amassed 27 disposals, five marks and a goal during his impressive performance.
Rozee also achieved a Rising Star nomination, which was also in a losing effort against the Brisbane Lions, however Rozee’s nomination proved to be exceptionally memorable, as he had 21 touches, seven marks, and kicked five goals, gaining the attention of the footy world. Rozee was the runner-up to the 2020 Rising Star, having placed second behind Carlton’s Sam Walsh, an outcome that is still the source for much debate and will be going forward as both continue to become stars of the game.
Wingard and Rozee averaged similar statistics during their debutant season, with Rozee slightly coming out on top with +2.9 disposals, +1.6 marks, +0.8 goals per games, with 82 per cent time on ground. Even in comparison to his contemporaries of the other 2019 Rising Star nominees, Rozee’s dominance in his first year saw him as first in total goals scored, score involvements, and tackles inside 50, backing his presence on-field as a game-changer. Both breakout seasons saw both players awarded the Gavin Wanganeen Medal, as the best Port Adelaide player under 21.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Connor Rozee’s breakout 2019 season was one of potential and excitement, yet it is what’s to come that is so tantalising, especially if we are to go off Chad Wingard’s second AFL season, in which he would become All Australian at only 20.
While it is still early days on whether Rozee could be gearing up to achieve the very same accolade as Wingard did in 2013, his statistics after Round 2 are evidence that Rozee has All Australian status in his sights. His average numbers on clearances, disposals, tackles and score involvements are not only considered elite, but are comparable to Wingard’s 2013 season.
Currently, Rozee even surpasses Wingard’s All Australian statistics with +2.1 inside 50s, +2.5 tackles, +18.2 disposal efficiency, and +2.5 clearances, with the on-field effect of all these evident during the Showdown victory.
Mark Robinson summed it up nicely during AFL 360 on Monday night, saying “Not all players have this. He’s got an unwritten ability that says, when he’s got the ball, something happens.”
It is this unwritten ability that is possessed by the stars of the game, and much like a young Chad Wingard, Connor Rozee possesses this ability, leaving it to be seen if this year is Connor Rozee’s year.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
The former Collingwood president said it 'wouldn't be beyond the pale' for the AFL to add weeks to Finlayson's three-game suspension, after the Power…
Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson says he's 'pissed off' at himself for making a homophobic slur, not the AFL for suspending him. Finlayson, banned…
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Former great David King has blasted Match Review Officer Michael Christian's decision to not suspend Port Adelaide star Zak Butters for his high bump…
The AFL Players' Association has come out swinging against the league for their decision to hand Port Adelaide forward a three-match suspension for using…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
