Connor Rozee Biography

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley admits he erred in playing Connor Rozee in Showdown 55 with questions over the Power skipper's fitness due to a hamstring concern.

"All the testing that we'd done, all the medical support we could get, all the information I could get was Connor was able to play," Hinkley said.

"I'd seen it with my own eyes - he was able to run as fast as he needed to, kick as long as he needed to - but once fatigue set in tonight, it was clear.

"I can try and hide behind it, but I'm not. I'm not a coward when it comes to owning a mistake, and that was what it was, a mistake."

Rozee is now ruled out of Port's upcoming round nine clash against Geelong.

Ken Hinkley denies Port Adelaide is taking too great a risk by naming Connor Rozee to play in the Showdown despite their captain not running out the club's win against St Kilda last week due to a hamstring issue.

"There's always a risk with any injury to a hamstring of any type," Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said.

"So for those people who are sitting there with the doomsday saying 'you're taking a big risk' - we're taking a normal risk with an injury like this."

Connor Rozee signs a massive eight-year contract with Port Adelaide and is named captain of the club for 2024, with Zak Butters serving as vice-captain.

"To wear the number one guernsey is something I'm incredibly proud of and I won't take for granted. I feel I'm ready to lead our group moving forward," Rozee said.

Connor Rozee's move to the midfield this year has seen him win the John Cahill Medal as Port Adelaide's best and fairest player for the 2022 season.

Rozee was the standout vote-getter and finished 30 votes clear of Travis Boak in second spot.

Connor Rozee will miss the start of the premiership season after opting for surgery on his problematic foot.

"I've seen a couple of specialists and there seems to be a little bit of something that shouldn't be in my foot," Rozee told Fox Sports.

"They're still not sure what it is ... hopefully that (time out after surgery) will only be three or four weeks maximum."

Connor Rozee credits Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley for allowing him to flourish at AFL level.

"Pretty much as soon as I walked in the door Ken said 'There's going to be a lot of new things you're going to have to learn and a lot of structures different to what you've previously played under, but the main thing is we want you to bring your strengths'," Rozee said.

"The main reason they draft players is because they've got strengths they can bring to the team and if they can bring those strengths it will make us a better team. That's what he told me from day one and is what has made me a better player since then."

After finishing 2019 as the Power's leading goalkicker, Connor Rozee says he is eager to continue the next step in his development as a pacy midfielder.

"Hopefully as the year progresses I can push into the midfield a little bit more," Rozee said.

"Endurance is probably the main thing I want to improve, especially if I'm looking to move into the midfield. Hopefully, keep building that and maybe put on a few more kilos as well will help me move into the midfield."

Connor Rozee polls 42 votes to finish runner-up to Sam Walsh on 54 votes for the 2019 AFL Rising Star award.

Connor Rozee is among the favourites to win the 2019 AFL Rising Star award but says he'd much prefer to help Port Adelaide into September.

Rozee has booted 23 goals and averaged 15.2 disposals per game playing across half-forward so far in 2019.

He's the Power's leading goalkicker, is fifth in the League for tackles inside 50 and is in the top three for players eligible for the NAB AFL Rising Star award for tackles, goals, contested possessions and inside 50s.

"Everyone talks about that externally a fair bit, but I couldn't care less. I'd rather play finals footy than win an individual award," Rozee said.

"It's been good to have an impact in my first season and people talk about you a little bit, but I couldn't really care less what goes on with that sort of stuff."

Draftees Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters have all re-committed to the Power, signing two-year contract extensions to remain at the club until the end of 2022.

A five-goal performance from Connor Rozee earns him the 2019 round three AFL Rising Star nomination.

"He arrived a very well-developed young man physically and mentally, and in terms of his craft, his knowledge and game sense, which was a breath of fresh air," Port Adelaide assistant coach Brett Montgomery said of Rozee.

"Apart from his obvious talents with the ball – being clean, his silky-smooth skills and his decision-making – he's one of these rare kids who understands his role in team defence and at stoppage to set the ground up. He's got a high level of footy acumen and intellect. He's as good as anyone I've seen in those areas."

Connor Rozee makes his AFL debut for Port Adelaide at the MCG with 18 disposals (6 kicks and 12 handballs), 5 marks and 5 tackles in a 26-point win over Melbourne.

Port Adelaide select Connor Rozee with pick No.5 in the 2018 National Draft.

“That a player of Connor’s class was still available at pick 5 made it a very easy decision for us. The fact that he is a local South Australian is just a bonus,” Port Adelaide recruiting manager Geoff Parker said.

“He is a very good mark for his size, uses the ball well and is very versatile demonstrating an ability to play both forward or back, or in the midfield.”