Gary Rohan Biography

Gary Rohan shakes off his reputation as a shaky finals performer after playing a key hand in Geelong's thrilling qualifying final win over the Magpies with three goals and setting up Max Holmes' matchwinner.

"We are really clear on what he can bring to our team and the way we play. He's absolutely an energy giver, his teammates love playing with him, and I'm just really proud of him today," Geelong coach Chris Scott said of Rohan after the match.

Gary Rohan will be put through a mini pre-season over the next couple of months in a bid to return him to full fitness for the second half of 2022.

The 30-year-old has been dealing with a sciatica issue in his back and hip which caused him to be pulled in and out of the main group across the summer.

Geelong coach Chris Scott is given a suspended $10,000 fine by the AFL for a heated quarter-time confrontation with Brisbane players.

Scott exchanged words with Brisbane players at the first break after an incident between Geelong speedster Gary Rohan and Lion Lachie Neale. Rohan later received a two-match ban for his high shot on Neale.

Gary Rohan suggests in a recent video on Exclusive Insight that he was actually pushed out the door by Sydney.

"What really annoyed me was when the trade and that all happened, they came out and said 'he wanted to go back for family reasons and that kind of stuff'," Rohan said.

"It really hit me and my wife pretty hard. Obviously they couldn't say 'we wanted to trade him'. But that really hurt, obviously being at the club for nine years. I felt like pretty much - there's the door, see you later."

Sydney trades Gary Rohan to Geelong in exchange for pick 61.

Gary Rohan believes a change of scenery at Geelong and being closer to family will help him recapture top form after the most challenging year of his life.

In April, Rohan and wife Amie endured the heartbreak of losing one of their twin daughters, Willow, only hours after she was born.

The 27-year-old former Swan then struggled for form and fitness, averaging only 8.5 disposals – his fewest in the past five seasons - and kicking seven goals in 11 games.

"(I'm in) a bit of a flat spot here and I feel like I'm just on a treadmill going on the same spot," Rohan told NAB AFL Trade Radio.

"New scenery, new club, new faces, (will help me) get that excitement back and get back to what I was doing best."

Sydney football manager Tom Harley says the club will work towards facilitating a trade for Gary Rohan to Geelong.

"Gary and his wife Amie have had some clear challenges and if we can provide an opportunity for them to move back closer to family support so then Gary can play some good footy, then we'll look to do that," Harley said.

Dan Hannebery and Gary Rohan are set to continue their careers in Victoria next season after requesting to be traded from Sydney back to their home state.

"Both Dan and Gary have separate and unique circumstances for wanting to explore going home and as a club we are mindful and respectful of those circumstances," Sydney head of football Tom Harley said.

"As a result, we are open to exploring a trade for the pair at next month’s Trade Period and will look to secure the best result for the club."

Gary Rohan is reported to be is open to a move to back to Victoria in 2019, with Geelong and North Melbourne flagging early interest.

Contracted until the end of 2020, any move for Rohan would need to be agreed with the Swans by trade.

On the eve of his 100th game, Gary Rohan has bravely opened up about the tragedy of losing one of his twin daughters last month.

"It was pretty tough because Bella went straight to the NICU nursery and Willow went with Amie into recovery," Rohan said.

"I was going in between both, and didn't know whether to go with Bella or stay with Amie and Willow.

"But our parents came in and got to meet Willow before she passed, and that five hours was a very memorable time that I'll never forget.

"It's been a tough rollercoaster, but we had two beautiful girls and were lucky enough we got to bring one home."

Rohan admits the 100-game milestone is one he thought might never arrive.

"Plenty of times I thought I'd never make it to 100 games, especially after the broken leg shattered my confidence," he said.

"It's been a very long road, but it means a lot to get there after what I've been through."

Gary Rohan will bring up an emotional milestone when he plays game 100 against North Melbourne at the SCG.

It's been a long journey to three figures for Rohan, who is in his ninth season with the Swans after being taken with pick six at the 2009 NAB AFL Draft and has battled a host of injury troubles in that time.

Sydney has rallied around forward Gary Rohan and wife Amie after the couple's twin girls were born.

Bella Rae and Willow Nevaeh were born on Thursday morning, but Willow, who had been already diagnosed with anencephaly – a fatal condition that prevents the formation of a baby's brain and skull – tragically passed away hours after being born.

Rohan missed the trip to Perth to face West Coast in the season opener to stay in Sydney with Amie and was left out of the Swans' team for Saturday's round four clash with the Western Bulldogs for the same reason.

The Swans have placed no time frame on Rohan's return to the club and will focus all their attention on providing the popular clubman with all the support his family needs.

The 26-year-old wrote on social media in November that talking about the situation had been therapeutic for the expectant parents.

"And at the end of the day, we will always be parents to twins, our journey has just been written a little differently to others," he wrote.

Gary Rohan shares the sad news that one of the twins he and partner Amie are expecting will have its life cut short after being diagnosed with anencephaly.

The condition, which can be diagnosed during pregnancy, is a serious birth defect in which parts of the brain and skull are underdeveloped.

Rohan wrote on social media that talking about the situation had been therapeutic for the expectant parents.

"We would love for anyone who has been affected by anencephaly themselves or know of others affected by anencephaly to please contact us," he wrote on Instagram.

"Don't be afraid to talk to us about it. That's what we want, we want people to ask questions, we want to talk about it with others.

"We still need questions answered as much as everyone else.

"And at the end of the day, we will always be parents to twins, our journey has just been written a little differently to others."

Gary Rohan has been ruled out this week's clash with Brisbane as he recovers from concussion suffered during a heavy fall against Carlton last week.

"He's in pretty good spirits and most importantly there's nothing seriously wrong with him, so he misses a game of footy but that’s pretty small in the bigger scheme of things," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"He's had his fair share of challenges but he's always been able to come back from that and push through it."

Gary Rohan has been cleared of any structural damage and will be discharged from hospital on Sunday.

The 25-year-old was knocked out after a sickening collision with Carlton defender Sam Rowe at the MCG on Saturday afternoon and spent the night at Epworth Hospital.

A Swans spokesperson said that Rohan suffered concussion in the incident and was likely to fly back to Sydney on Sunday.

Rohan took to social media to thank fans for the outpouring of support.

"Thanks everyone for the well wishes. Scans came back all clear, just got a sore head, neck and back," Rohan posted on Instagram.

"On a plus side, (I) got a good view from (the) hospital bed."

Gary Rohan has been ruled out until at least round four with back soreness.

"Gary has been limited in his training, most recently because of back soreness," Swans football manager Tom Harley said.

"As a result of his limited training, he will need at least another eight weeks of preparation before he can return to play.

"Gary had a similar start to last season and was still able to come in and make a significant impact, so we're confident he will do the same again this year."

Gary Rohan signs a new three-year deal with Sydney that will keep him at the club until the end of 2020.

Rohan wasn't due to come out of contract until the end of next season where he would qualify for free agency, but chose to re-commit to the Swans early.

With Geelong reportedly interested in his services, Rohan thought about a return to his home state of Victoria, but said he "made the right decision to stay."

"We've got a very young side, I thought I'd stick around and be part of the team coming through," Rohan said.

Gary Rohan says he is committed to the club, despite reports linking him with a move home to Geelong.

"I'll commit to the Swans. I'm loving it there. I'm playing senior footy there and I've just bought a house," Rohan said.

"Everything's going well and I'm loving my time at the Swans."

Gary Rohan will miss at least eight weeks as he recovers from a persistent hamstring injury.

The Swans have placed Rohan on the long-term injury list, citing a need to build his fitness base after the injury forced him to miss a significant amount of pre-season training.

"Gary has been battling a hamstring problem for a number of weeks and has missed a critical portion of his pre-season preparation," Swans general manager of football Tom Harley said.

"As a result, he will need at least another eight weeks preparation before he can resume playing, so for now he will continue his rehab."

Gary Rohan is likely to miss at least a month of football with a hamstring injury suffered in the Swans' win over Port Adelaide at the SCG.

On the eve of Gary Rohan's 50th game, his father Jim says every game his son plays is a bonus.

"It's a bit hard to put into words what we've been through as a family to see a kid who's so full of life, come back home and put up with what he had to put up with," Jim Rohan said about his son's battle to come back from a broken leg.

"To have two broken bones in your leg like that, an horrific injury, and from having the surgeon say it could be his last game of football, to where he is now has been a bloody great achievement.

"We're very proud of him."

Gary Rohan says his right leg is finally pain-free nearly three years after it was severely broken in a collision with North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas.

"This year I haven't had any problems with it which is good," he said.

"I'm over the leg now, it's in the past and now I'm looking forward to this year."

Gary Rohan says he feels indebted to the Swans for sticking by him despite only playing 27 games in four seasons.

"I don't have to put too much pressure on myself this year to try and to get another contract, so I can go out there and play with a bit of confidence and hopefully have a good year," Rohan said.

"It's really great that they had confidence with me.

"I feel like I owe them a bit, now because they have stuck with me, and hopefully I can get them to a premiership."

After battling his way back from a serious leg injury in 2012, Gary Rohan agrees to a three-year contract extension to remain with the Sydney Swans.

"I think people can underestimate how difficult it is to return from an injury as serious as what Gary suffered," Longmire said.

"He has had to overcome some serious hurdles over the last few years, but he has bounced back really well and we are excited to see what he can bring to our team in 2014 and beyond."

Swans great Jude Bolton believes Gary Rohan will emerge and stamp himself as one of the most exciting players in the AFL in 2014.

Gary's a phenomenal talent. It was great to see him exposed to footy again last year. He's been around for a while, but he's really matured as a player," Bolton said.

"Hopefully he can lock down a spot, because he's electrifying to watch."

Gary Rohan's form continues to improve as he gains match fitness following his comeback from a serious leg injury.

"I'm getting better each week fitness-wise and getting back to the structures and all of that sort of stuff," Rohan said.

"I keep getting corkies in the first quarter and struggle a bit, but I'm pulling up really well and then get into training the next week."

Gary Rohan will finally make his senior return for the Swans this week against St Kilda.

"He kept telling me for the last three weeks to pick him and I've ignored him to a certain degree, but I think when we finally said 'OK mate, you're in', I think it did hit him in terms of how much work he's been able to do," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"Blokes like (Fremantle midfielder) Michael Barlow and others across the competition we've seen over the years are probably the only ones that can fully understand the amount of work and challenges that Gary's had to face."

Swans coach John Longmire says Gary Rohan is building towards a return to the seniors, possibly by round 22.

"He's played three or four games and he's come off 18 months, so it's pretty hard to pick it up in three or four games," Longmire said.

"So he's now getting over that soreness-type issues at the back of games and now it's more about coaching the specifics of the game and that's what we're focusing on at the moment."

Gary Rohan kicks two goals in first game in 15 months, playing 40 minutes in the second half of the Sydney Swans' reserves game against the UWS Giants at the SCG.

"It was fantastic to see him running around, he looked really good, hopefully he pulls up well tomorrow and can take another small step next week," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"We're really hopeful that we've laid a good foundation for him, but that's all it is and hopefully he's able to keep going forward."

Gary Rohan achieves another boost in his return from a horrific leg injury as he prepares to resume full training with the Swans.

"We've been really pleased with the amount of training he's been doing and he's been going really well and has looked fantastic at training," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"(But) he's still got a few weeks to go before he gets a few full sessions under his belt before we even consider playing him."

Swans assistant coach Henry Playfair says Gary Rohan is starting to return to full pace after breaking his leg against North Melbourne last year.

"He got the all-clear from the surgeon and they actually mentioned he can start pushing it a little bit," Playfair said.

"His running has increased in the last three weeks and he's actually starting to move a bit like the old Gary Rohan.

"We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves but you just see him stride occasionally and you think, he's on the way back."

Swan Gary Rohan continues his comeback from a broken leg with the help of a de-load treadmill that he says "feels like you're running on the moon".

"My mind was telling me that I shouldn't be running because I've been out for so long, but my confidence is coming back pretty well.
," Rohan said.

"It's a bit different to a normal treadmill because it takes my body weight, so I'm running at 70 per cent of my body weight, which is good, but it feels like you're running on the moon.



"Overall, I'm feeling more confident with my leg and I'm doing more weights as well. I feel bigger than last year, so that's where I'm at so far."

Injured Swan Gary Rohan hopes to hit 2013 at peak fitness.

"I should be running in November," Rohan said.

"I do a lot of swimming, a lot of leg weights trying to get my muscles back to strength."

Injured Swan Gary Rohan has called a radio talkback show to defend North's Lindsay Thomas over the slide tackle that broke his leg.

"I was told in junior footy to put your body between the opponent and the football. Lindsay Thomas did that," Rohan said.

"I thought it was fine. He was first to the ball and I couldn't do anything about it and I was waiting for him to get the ball so I could tackle him."

Sydney forward Gary Rohan will miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg during the Swans' match against North Melbourne.

"It's a real shame for him. He's such an exciting talent and a terrific kid to have around the footy club," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"I'm sure the players will get around him and help him through it and his family is up here (from Cobden in western Victoria), which is good. But it's obviously a blow for us."

Sydney Swans utility Gary Rohan will be sidelined for up to six weeks after having surgery on his right knee.

"He had a bit of cartilage damage behind his knee cap," club physiotherapist Matt Cameron said.

"We were hoping for that to heal naturally, but it's starting to float around a little bit, so we need to go in and remove it."

Gary Rohan makes his AFL debut for Sydney at Kardinia Park with 4 disposals (2 kicks and 2 handballs), a mark, 6 tackles and a goal in a 67-point loss to Geelong.

Sydney Swans first-gamer Gary Rohan will make his AFL debut against Geelong, the club he used to barrack for.

"I idolised Andrew Mackie, so I might be lining up against him in the backline," Rohan said.

"They're a great club and I'm looking forward to running out against the team I used to barrack for. Hopefully I can just play well, get a couple of kicks and I'll be happy with that."

Sydney Swans recruit Gary Rohan never imagined he would be a first-round selection in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft at pick No. 6.

"I never thought it would happen," Rohan said.

"I had a good year and got a heap of support from people back in Cobden and my family and friends."