Connor Rozee in danger of being dropped despite 'honeymoon' start to AFL career
Port Adelaide young gun Connor Rozee is facing the axe after a lean patch of form, with the club's forward coach admitting his "honeymoon period" is over.
After being drafted fifth overall in 2018, Rozee burst onto the scene in sensational fashion, kicking 29 goals in his rookie campaign, but has struggled to capture that same spark.
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The 21-year-old managed just eight disposals in the Power's one-point win over Collingwood in Round 10, and Port forwards coach Nathan Bassett refused to confirm whether his spot in Ken Hinkley's side would be safe for the Round 11 clash against Fremantle.
"Connor hasn't played that well for the last two weeks," Bassett told reporters on Monday.
Connor Rozee picked up just eight possessions and failed to kick a goal in Port's win over Collingwood Getty
"Connor is a good young man who is learning what it's like to play regular AFL football.
"The honeymoon period of playing AFL football is over and now it's working towards being a good and then a very good AFL player and that's what we're working on with Connor right now."
Rozee has managed to kick just one goal in his last four matches and has tallied over 20 disposals in just two out of his eight matches so far this season, and Bassett admitted the Power would like to get more midfield minutes into the youngster.
"I thought Connor tried really hard yesterday, he was trying to play the right way for the game, but the game didn't come to him. If he keeps working that way I think it will," he said.
Rozee has struggled to re-capture the form that saw him kick 29 goals in his debut season back in 2019 Getty
"I actually think we missed some opportunities to use him yesterday, there's some stuff in the contest that he can improve on.
"We're trying to get the balance of game time right, we'd maybe like to give him a little more midfield time than what he seems to be able to get during the game.
"We're still working through what is best for Connor, but Connor needs to play the best footy he can wherever he is playing."
The fifth-placed Power will host Fremantle in the final match of Round 11 at 4:40 pm AEST on Sunday afternoon at the Adelaide Oval.
