New Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee has revealed advice from cricket World Cup hero Travis Head played an important role in his development into a leader of the AFL club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Rozee was on Monday announced as the Power's eighth skipper, taking over the No.1 jumper from the recently retired Tom Jonas.
It was also confirmed the 23-year-old has signed a monster eight-year contract that ties him to the club until the end of 2032.
Rozee has been regarded as captaincy material since he walked through the doors at Alberton and has used former Port skippers Jonas, Travis Boak and Ollie Wines, as well as his parents, as sounding boards throughout his career.
He has also worked with South Australian captain Head, who starred in Australia's 50-over triumph in India last month, after the pair struck up a relationship through former Power assistant coach Nathan Bassett two years ago.
"(Head) is someone I can reach out to with questions more than anything," Rozee said.
"(Bassett) set us up with someone outside the football club to learn a bit of extra leadership stuff off.
"I love my cricket, so that was a good relationship for me.
"When (Head) is back in Adelaide we're able to catch up and have discussions about not only leadership but just life in general and any questions that I've got."
A two-time All-Australian, Rozee has played 106 games for Port since he was recruited with pick five in the 2018 draft.
While still relatively young, he feels well prepared to take on the captaincy and said his leadership style will evolve with time, though he doesn't plan to be as stern as hard-nut Jonas was in the role.
"I feel like I'm ready now," Rozee said.
"I'm still only 23 but I feel like I'm a mature 23-year-old and ready to take this club forward and hopefully lead it to some success."
Rozee's mammoth contract extension makes him the equal-longest contracted player in the AFL alongside Western Bulldogs key forward Aaron Naughton.
"For me it was the longer the better and now I can focus solely on what it takes to take the club to some success," Rozee said.
Port coach Ken Hinkley said Rozee's contract decision was an "enormous endorsement" for the club.
Rozee will be assisted in his captaincy by fellow young star Zak Butters, who has been named vice-captain in a new-look leadership structure.
"It's been pretty clear from the time these two boys arrived that they've both got leadership credentials," Hinkley said.
"What they both bring is competitive spirit on the training track with the way they go about it and the way they play.
"Performance is ultimately the thing that sets you apart sometimes and these two play at really high levels."
Sam Powell-Pepper, Dan Houston and Willem Drew have also been given formal leadership roles.
Australian Associated Press
