Introduction
Connor Rozee (born 22 January 2000) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by Port Adelaide with the 5th draft pick in the 2018 AFL Draft.
Early life
Rozee was born in South Australia and played junior football with Spencer Gulf Football League (SGFL) club South Augusta. In 2016, he won the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player of the Under 16 AFL National Championship while also winning South Australia’s Most Valuable Player award. Rozee played for South Australia in the AFL Under 18 Championships but was not happy with his performance. He averaged 13 disposals across the carnival, showed some flashes and his state claimed the title, but it wasn't the standout period he was hoping for. After the championship, Port Adelaide AFL premiership player and North Adelaide Football Club coach Josh Carr gave Rozee his senior South Australian National Football League (SANFL) debut in 2018 and Rozee repaid his faith with an impressive campaign including a couple of vital performances in the Roosters’ successful finals series. Rozee went on to feature in the club's SANFL premiership win, with his improved form at the back end of the season against senior players showing why he is in the elite group of prospects at the top end of the draft. At the AFL Draft Combine, Rozee finished in the top 10 for the standing vertical jump and running vertical jump tests and agility test and was second overall in the 20m sprint (2.91 seconds). Port Adelaide selected Rozee at pick 5 in the 2018 AFL draft.
Rozee's father Robert Rozeeplayed for SANFL club South Adelaide and was a premiership player, club champion and club coach at South Augusta.
AFL career
Rozee made his AFL debut in Port Adelaide's upset win over Melbourne in the opening round of the 2019 AFL season. In round 3, Rozee kicked five goals and had 21 disposals in Port's 17 point loss to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, earning him the Rising Star nomination. Rozee became the youngest Port Adelaide player to kick 5 goals in an AFL match.