On a historic day, a power star signs the club’s largest-ever contract and is named captain.
On a historic day for the 23-year-old, Port Adelaide star Connor Rozee signed an eight-year contract extension and was named club captain.
The Power announced on Monday that dual All-Australian Rozee had committed to the team until at least the end of 2032. Rozee will take over as captain of the team in 2024, succeeding the retired Tom Jonas.
Although Rozee’s contract was scheduled to expire in 2024, his decision to recommit continues the Power’s recent trend of resigning players, as Zak Butters recently signed a two-year extension.
As part of the larger leadership group, Butters was named vice-captain, along with Sam Powell-Pepper, Dan Houston, and Willem Drew.
With his contract, Rozee and Western Bulldogs captain Aaron Naughton become the players in the league with the longest contracts.
Fox Footy analyst David King was amused by the signing, pointing out that his SEN co-host, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes, is adamantly opposed to clubs signing players to long-term contracts.
Please call that person and let them know, King wrote, referring to AFL Media’s report on Rozee’s impending deal.
Rozee was chosen for the All-Australian team in back-to-back seasons and was awarded the club’s best and fairest award in 2022.
With a more long-term shift into the midfield, he and Zak Butters—both members of the 2018 draft class—have flourished.
Despite finishing in the top four in 2023, Port Adelaide was eliminated in straight sets from the finals series.
This off-season, the team has gone on a trading binge, adding Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Esava Ratugolea to its roster.
