Rozee blooms despite Port's AFL loss

He wound up on the losing team but Port Adelaide draftee Connor Rozee's five-goal display against Brisbane was first-class.

Connor Rozee of the Power.

Power's Connor Rozee returned five majors, 21 disposals and seven marks in just his third AFL match (AAP)

Well that's this week's AFL rising star nomination sorted.

Port Adelaide's Connor Rozee's five-goal effort against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday may not have led to a win but it certainly caught the eye.

"If there's a better first-year player play this round they probably deserve it," Power coach Ken Hinkley said when asked if he expects Rozee to join Charlie Constable and Bailey Scott as rising star nominees so far this year.

"I don't think I'll see a better game."

The 19-year-old, taken at pick five in last year's draft, was everywhere in his third AFL match.

After missing an early shot on goal, Rozee ended the game with five majors, 21 disposals and seven marks.

It was a performance which some linked to a second-year Chris Judd's breakthrough five-goal haul against then-benchmark Brisbane at the Gabba in 2003.

His second goal involved telegraphing a short kick by Stef Martin after the Brisbane ruckman had been awarded a free-kick, gathering the ball and booting a goal from just inside 50.

In the fourth quarter he calmly plucked a mark under pressure before going back and scoring his fifth.

Lions coach Chris Fagan was certainly impressed.

"It was exciting to watch him play, he's a great recruit," Fagan said.

"He didn't kick them all on one of our defenders, he kicked them on various of our defenders and he just attacked the ball so well and finished off well. Credit to him, Port have got a beauty there."

Power coach Ken Hinkley agrees he has a special talent in the North Adelaide SANFL premiership player.

"He's been close for first three weeks to be fair, he's nearly got it done and tonight he really did it get it done."


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Source: AAP


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