David Rodan Biography

David Rodan has become the first AFL player to make the transition to goal umpiring at the highest level.

Rodan started goal umpiring at under-18s level in local footy, progressing through to seniors before moving to the TAC Cup and later the VFL.

"I didn’t want a token role and I wanted to have as much development as I could get," he said.

He umpired his first AFL match in round 16 (North Melbourne-Fremantle at Etihad Stadium) and on Saturday, will be waving the flags during the Carlton-Geelong game, also at Etihad Stadium.

"It's harder than a lot of people think," he said. "A lot of it is about positioning and watching the ball flight."

Rodan recently initiated a pilot project as part of his role at AFL Victoria, aiming to recruit youngsters from multicultural and indigenous backgrounds to goal umpiring. He hopes to take the program nationally.

"I'm trying to show people that footy provides a lot more opportunities than what it appears to," he said.

"There's a role for everyone, with so many opportunities in different fields."

David Rodan will take another step towards becoming an AFL goal umpire when he officiates during the upcoming JLT Community Series.

The 33-year-old took up umpiring after his 185-game AFL career finished in 2013.

He spent last season umpiring and surprised the crowd at the EJ Whitten Legends Game when he performed 'the worm' dance move after a goal was scored.

David Rodan is aiming to be an AFL-listed goal umpire by 2017 as he embarks on a new career this year.

The ex-Port Adelaide, Richmond and Melbourne player will start as a VFL goal umpire this season as he targets an AFL debut next year.

"It's up to [AFL umpires boss] Wayne (Campbell) to decide due to my performance, so hopefully sooner rather than later [I'll be able to goal umpire an AFL game]," Rodan said.

"We'll see how I go. I'll obviously develop this year and then hopefully next year [I can umpire at the top level]."

Nuggetty former on-baller David Rodan has signalled his intention to pursue a career as a goal umpire.

"I've seen David down here on a couple of occasions working out with our goal umpires coach," AFL umpires boss Hayden Kennedy said.

"He moves well between the sticks. He's going to bring a lot of character to goal umpiring.

"I spoke to David about why he wanted to become a goal umpire and they're just fantastic reasons, about the multicultural [side of things] and how he can get other people involved.

"It's just a fantastic story if it ends up David actually debuts."

David Rodan announces his retirement after rupturing the ACL in his left knee for the third time against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

David Rodan says he wants to make the most of his time with Melbourne.

"I want to prove to the playing group that I still have what it takes to play at the level. You need to gain respect from the playing group and also the coaching staff," Rodan said.

"And at the same time, seeing these younger guys come through and helping them develop is quite rewarding as well."

New recruit David Rodan has a simple remedy for Melbourne's woes - run, and take on the game more.

"Run with the ball, take it forward and drive it in deep," Rodan said.

"I enjoy that type of role where I can work one on one but also on the training track. Obviously I've played a few more years than some of the guys here, so hopefully I can pass on some stuff."

David Rodan is traded to Melbourne and says he is excited at the prospect of being a Demon.

"I'm extremely excited to get another opportunity," he said.

"Melbourne Football Club has obviously shown a lot of faith, I just can't wait to start training and be a part of it."

Richmond hasn't ruled out bringing back former player David Rodan .

"I definitely wouldn't mind [returning to Richmond]," Rodan said.

"I obviously played five years [there] and didn't get to my best football.

"If it came about it'd probably be nice to get back and show the club and the fans I've developed a fair bit and show them that I've improved a bit."

Dumped David Rodan says there has been interest from a number of clubs, including former team Richmond.

"There has been a bit of talk, but it's still very early and we've still got a few days, another week, until we finish up talks," Rodan said.

"But the great thing is I've obviously got a few clubs hopefully wanting me to get on their lists."

Dumped Port Adelaide midfielder David Rodan says he is confident he still has more to offer as he searches for a new home.

"I just turned 29 last week and I still feel I've got a fair bit to offer and [I'm] hungry to play at the level," Rodan told SEN radio.

"Hopefully in the next few weeks I can find a new home and help them out."

David Rodan and Jacob Surjan among seven delistings announced by Port on Friday.

The seven delistees also include Simon Phillips, Mitch Banner and rookies Daniel Webb, Mitch Curnow and Jarrad Irons.

"David embraced his new opportunity from the outset and is a player who won't be forgotten by Port Adelaide supporters who admire his flair as a midfielder and willingness to take on opponents and attack the game," Power football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"He's popular within the club as well and is respected for his work ethic, ability to overcome serious injuries, his personality and what he does off the field to promote football in our multicultural community."

David Rodan's manager Liam Pickering says his client could look for a move if he isn't in Port Adelaide's new coach Ken Hinkley's plans.

"If Ken Hinkley comes out and says, 'there's no way I'm going to let this bloke go because I really rate him', he'd be happy to stay at Port Adelaide," Pickering said.

"But if he says, 'the opportunities are going to be limited, maybe it's best to move on,' we'll move on."

Power football operations manager Peter Rohde says David Rodan's future at the club hinges on the appointment of a new coach.

"It's fair to say [Rodan] had a pretty disappointing end to the season," Rohde said.

"We won't make a decision on him, and probably three or four others, until we appoint the coach and the coach has some input in to those sorts of decisions."

Livewire David Rodan considers a move back to Victoria after playing just 10 games for Port Adelaide in 2012.

Port Adelaide's David Rodan says Collingwood's Andrew Krakouer should shun a traditional knee reconstruction and opt for the LARS procedure.

"It's definitely something someone in their late 20s with only a few years left would definitely have to look at. The recovery rate is fantastic," Rodan said.

"If you're a younger player you could probably opt for the traditional method, but I'd definitely be pushing it to him if he wants to play for another few years."

David Rodan feared the worst after his rebuilt right knee twisted awkwardly against Hawthorn but was relived to be informed it would only be a 4 to 6-week injury.

"I've only done four injuries and they've all been knees, so I guess there would be something in that," he said.

"I guess a lot of my game is agility, trying to get around people and those sorts of things, so it puts a lot of stress on my knees."

Port Adelaide midfielder David Rodan has expressed concern over the viability of the LARS procedure after Nick Malceski re-injured his right knee.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't have any concerns, but these things you can't really help. It doesn't matter whether you have the traditional [reconstruction] or the LARS, there's no guarantee on either one of them," Rodan said.

"It's very unfortunate and I've expressed my sorrows to Nick. I gave him a phone call to see if everything was fine. Obviously he's a little bit upset at the moment...but I've got no doubt he'll be back bigger and stronger than ever just like he was after the first one."

Port midfielder David Rodan has completed a remarkable comeback from a third knee reconstruction.

"David's trained for the last three-to-four weeks fully and will definitely be playing on the weekend. He's done a fair chunk of training, so we think he's up for that and he'll definitely get a good hit-out," football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"He's had virtually no hiccups at all since Christmas. He's moved along very quickly and we're looking forward to him getting back out there and getting some match practice before round one."

Port Adelaide midfielder David Rodan is confident he will make a speedy and full recovery after having a third knee reconstruction using the LARS procedure.

"When I knew LARS was an option I jumped at the chance," Rodan said.

"I knew having LARS meant I was going to come back and get back to what I could do before. I got a lot of confidence out of last year and being able to play some of the football I think I can play."

Port Adelaide's David Rodan is about to complete another stunning comeback from a LARS reconstruction.

"We haven't set a return date for David, but we're thinking it'll be early in the season, if not round one," Port Adelaide football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"He's back running and is looking and feeling really good, so...so far so good."

David Rodan will undergo a second LARS reconstruction on his left knee after re-injuring it at training.

"David wanted to go down that [LARS] path straight away. Going down the path of a regular [reconstruction] means his season would be gone for next year and he hadn't had any complications with the LARS prior to this at all," Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus said.

"No matter which way you go about doing [repairing] knees there are always things that can go wrong and unfortunately for David it has...but plenty of people have ruptured them [their ACL] again [after having a traditional reconstruction] too."

Port Adelaide midfielder David Rodan will have an arthroscope this week after injuring his left knee at training.

Rodan's left knee was reconstructed using LARS at about the same time last year but Power football operations manager Peter Rhode says the latest procedure is merely precautionary.

Radical knee surgery that rapidly helped Port Adelaide midfielder David Rodan back to action could become the AFL norm after he was one of the Power's best with 27 disposals in a win against St Kilda.

"The ability of the operation to actually keep the player involved with the group, it doesn't put them aside for six months before they can come back and train," Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams said.

"He was walking around the oval two weeks after. It was just amazing. It seemed like nothing more than a hamstring or an ankle injury. It kept his spirits up and kept him involved."

Port Adelaide captain Domenic Cassisi says the team will draw inspiration from David Rodan's comeback from a knee reconstruction against Geelong on Sunday.

"He has come from a long way back with injury, he hasn't really missed too much, he was walking laps a few weeks after the injury and has built up from there," Cassisi said.

"For all the guys, especially with such a young group, to see the work ethic that he has had to get back playing AFL footy is a credit to himself."

Cameron Hitchcock is elevated to Port Adelaide's senior list to replace John Butcher meaning former Blue Cameron Cloke remains a rookie due to David Rodan's remarkable recovery from a knee injury.

"I had a meeting with Choc last night and he told me that the club was going to upgrade me today," Hitchcock said.

"I've really enjoyed playing so far in the NAB Cup and this is a great opportunity for me."

David Rodan is close to making a remarkable comeback to football after undergoing revolutionary LARS knee surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

"He's shocked us all," Port football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"If you'd asked me a few weeks ago I would have said he'd have little chance of playing in Round 2. Now, after watching him do tackling drills last Friday, there is real hope that he could."

John Butcher and David Rodan are place on Port Adelaide's long-term injury list allowing the likes of former Blue Cameron Cloke and livewire forward Cameron Hitchcock to likely be elevated to Port Adelaide's primary list.

"We'll definitely upgrade someone in the next two weeks. Cloke and Hitchcock are the two that are at the forefront now. It'll depend on needs and who we're playing that week, but both of them have shown enough form to get upgraded," Power coach Williams said.

Only 11 weeks after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, David Rodan has resumed training with his teammates.

"This morning when the whole team found out that he was going to train with us it brought a smile to everyone's face. He looked a bit nervous. I was sitting there watching him and I gave him a word or two here and there," teammate Danyle Pearce said.

"I don't think even David has a [return] date in his mind. He's just taking it week by week and seeing how the knee pulls up after every session. He's really looking forward to getting back and he just wants to get back into his normal routine."

David Rodan is 'blown away' by his rapid recovery from radical knee surgery, but says he cannot put a date on his comeback yet.

"I'd love to say I can be back in 12 weeks, but I really don't know," Rodan said.

"It's obviously something new to all of us, so [the doctors and I] are just going through it week to week. It's pretty mind blowing how quickly my recovery has been fast-tracked, but until I can do the stuff I used to do I won't come back."

David Rodan is running despite having major knee surgery in December, but Port Adelaide will not rush him into playing.

"I'm sure our supporters will be excited to see David running around, but it's all pretty measured and we won't be pushing him before he's ready," Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams said.

Port Adelaide midfielder David Rodan has successfully undergone the same radical LARS (Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System) knee surgery as Swans defender Nick Malceski in a bid to be back by mid-season in 2010.

"We're going to take it week-by-week and that's exactly how it will be managed. We're not putting any timeframe on when David may be able to return. It's purely going to be based on how he recovers," Port Adelaide doctor Mark Fisher said.

"He'll be up and about a lot sooner but the best-case scenario is that we have David up and playing some sort of football at some level by the middle of next season."

Port Adelaide midfielder David Rodan is likely to miss the 2010 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during training.

"The whole club is extremely disappointed for David and his family," the club's football operations manager, Peter Rohde, said.

"All we are concerned about at the moment is getting David's knee successfully reconstructed and putting a rehabilitation program in place to assist in his recovery."

Midfield dynamo David Rodan will be a Port Adelaide player until at least 2012 after re-signing with the club that gave him a second chance following his delisting by Richmond.

"I definitely wouldn't have thought when I got picked up by Port Adelaide that I'd be here right now," he said.

"I was very happy to get the second chance to show that I could still get out there and the club showed faith in me.

"It's a pretty proud feeling and hopefully I can repay them in the next few years."

Criticism of Danyle Pearce, Peter Burgoyne and Josh Carr is unwarranted according to teammate Travis Boak.

The trio have been singled out in the South Australian media following the Power's disappointing performance against Melbourne on Sunday.

"We think Pearcey's been one of our best players, not because he is getting 20-plus possessions or he's not getting 20-plus possessions, but because he's taking another player out of the play and helping someone else like Kane, Dom or David Rodan around the ball," Boak said.

"The guys know that he's probably copped a bit of criticism, but we're right behind him and we're really behind Peter and Carry as well.

"We're going to give Pearcey confidence. We're going to give him the ball and tell him to run. He's strong in mind and he's going to bounce back."

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams says Shaun Burgoyne is only three weeks from a return which will make life easier for the Power's other midfielders in Peter Burgoyne and David Rodan.

"Shaun's knee is feeling better than it was," Williams said.

"Shaun Burgoyne is our best player. Take the best player out of any side and that would show the influence Shaun will have when he comes back into our team.

"It might not be the first week or two, but if we can get him back it will be a significant influence on our game and our results. It also helps Peter Burgoyne or David Rodan and those sort of blokes because it draws attention away from them."

Port Adelaide's David Rodan has been dropped twice this year, but he says it was deserved.

"It was very tough. The team was a bit up and down early in the season and I guess my form wasn't up to scratch, so I went back to the SANFL," Rodan said.

"There were a few things going on in my life at the time and I think at the time I needed to go back to the SANFL and do the right thing.

"You never like getting dropped, but you just deal with it if it's best for the team and I'm pretty happy that I'm back in the team now."

Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak believes there more collisions between players and umpires this season are likely with teams looking to use the officials as shields against their opponents.

"It's pretty hard for Shaun Burgoyne, David Rodan and these sorts of guys to get away from their opponents. They're going to try and do anything to get away from their players and I know we try and use it sometimes," Boak said.

Travis Boak, Robbie Gray and Nathan Krakouer sign new contracts with the Power, keeping them with Port Adelaide till 2010.

"As a club we couldn't have hoped for anything better than we got from Travis, Robbie and Nathan last year, particularly given they all joined us from interstate only last season," Power coach Mark Williams said.

"We do keep in mind that they are very much in the infancy of their careers and their development won't always be linear but it's fair to say we're excited about our future with these young players as part of it."

Port Adelaide players head to Port Lincoln as part of a three-day training camp.

Apart from fishing, one of the more interesting activities include the opportunity for players to literally swim with the sharks, albeit with the benefit of a shark cage.

"It's been an excellent training camp," defender Michael Pettigrew said. "Physically demanding at times, but not as bad as last year."