Player Watch #8 James Rowbottom

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James Rowbottom

The Sydney Swans recruited James Rowbottom with their second selection at the 2018 AFL Draft and the midfield bull impacted from the get-go. The Oakleigh Chargers product made his AFL debut against Richmond at Marvel Stadium in Round 5, 2019 and finished the season with 12 senior games beside his name. Rowbottom also led the NEAFL MVP voting when it was hidden from the public after Round 12. The young Swan is a ball magnet, explosive at the stoppages, an outstanding tackler and a clean user of the footy.

James Rowbottom
DOB: 19 September 2000
DEBUT: 2019
DRAFT: #25, 2018 National Draft
RECRUITED FROM: Camberwell (Vic)/St Kevin's College (Vic)/Oakleigh U18

 
186cm, tough-at-it inside mid. Will post more info as it comes.

The Sydney Swans have selected James Rowbottom with pick 25 in the 2018 National Draft.

James Rowbottom

Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Height: 186cm
Weight: 76kg
Position: Midfielder

Profile

Tough midfielder who is good at stoppages using his clean hands and vision to set up the play. Tackles aggressively and is capable of playing a run-with role thanks to his elite endurance. A strong and consistent performer for Victoria Metro across his four matches of the AFL Under-18 Championships.

What they said

"One of the Draft crop's big bolters, the hard-working midfielder steadily improved his inside craft throughout 2018 to average 21.9 disposals and 6.5 tackles per game in the TAC Cup. He was rewarded with four appearances for Vic Metro at the National Under-18 Championships. But it's his craft forward of centre that Rowbottom wants to work on at AFL level." (AFL.com.au journalist Riley Beveridge)

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2018-11-23/pick-25-james-rowbottom
 
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RW

Cancelled
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I watched the highlights and immediately had thoughts of James Harmes. About the same size, about as good in traffic and his disposal is pretty good for a junior. Some of his kicks are spot on. Not quite Nick Blakey freaky, but he looks like he could become a good, 200-game player.
 
There are a heap of good stories about the young kids who have been drafted.

Suspect Paddles struggle to overcome the disadvantage of having an odious uncle must be among the more inspiring.
 
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https://www.afldraftcentral.com.au/player/james-rowbottom/

Height 185cm
Weight 78kg

OVERVIEW

James Rowbottom is one of the top inside midfielders of his draft year, excelling in all areas expected of a player in his position. Mixing TAC Cup appearances with school footy duties at St. Kevins, the Oakleigh Charger has enjoyed a consistent year and turned in solid performances in all four of Vic Metro’s National Championship games. Like many inside midfielders, Rowbottom’s strengths stand out heavily and his brute force in the clinches ensures he catches the eye regularly. Rowbottom is a relentless tackler and his will in the contest to pry the ball free, keep rolling forward and find a way to get boot to ball allows his team to always be on the front foot. While his assets are exceptional, Rowbottom has a way to go to becoming a complete midfielder, with touch more polish to be applied to his game. It is clear though that Rowbottom is a ready-made prospect who can have an immediate impact if given the chance amongst more mature bodies given his aptitude in contested situations.

STRENGTHS

  • Contested ball
  • Clearances
  • Clean hands
  • Tackling
  • Core strength
IMPROVEMENTS

  • Endurance
  • Kicking
  • Scoreboard impact

There are few who have been able to match the clearance nous of Rowbottom at TAC Cup level this year, with the Charger holding the second-best average (6.3) behind top five prospect Bailey Smith. With a strong core and desire to win the ball, Rowbottom hits the ball at pace and always look to push it forward by either breaking through the clinches or willing the ball onto his boot. Rowbottom’s desire to force the ball forward is also highlighted by his impressive inside 50 numbers, averaging almost five per game as he wins key balls in important areas. He moves it forward in varying ways and while he is not the quickest overall, his first three to four steps are good enough to get him free, with his decent agility granting him enough space to dispose quickly.

Another handy trait Rowbottom has is his ability to stand up in tackles and keep his arms up to flick out handballs. It is a nice touch of composure that some inside midfielders lack, but is so valuable as it keeps the play alive. The other side of an inside midfielder’s duties is the defensive one, and Rowbottom thrives on putting the clamps on his opponent. Playing so often at the coalface means that Rowbottom is constantly near the ball, allowing him to pressure the ball-carrier when he has not won it himself. He has a good knack of snatching the ball off his opponent with pure strength, but tackles hard when he can’t do so. His thirst for the contest sees him lay some bone-crunching tackles, setting the tone for his side from the supply.
 

J_Moore

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https://www.afldraftcentral.com.au/player/james-rowbottom/

Height 185cm
Weight 78kg

OVERVIEW

James Rowbottom is one of the top inside midfielders of his draft year, excelling in all areas expected of a player in his position. Mixing TAC Cup appearances with school footy duties at St. Kevins, the Oakleigh Charger has enjoyed a consistent year and turned in solid performances in all four of Vic Metro’s National Championship games. Like many inside midfielders, Rowbottom’s strengths stand out heavily and his brute force in the clinches ensures he catches the eye regularly. Rowbottom is a relentless tackler and his will in the contest to pry the ball free, keep rolling forward and find a way to get boot to ball allows his team to always be on the front foot. While his assets are exceptional, Rowbottom has a way to go to becoming a complete midfielder, with touch more polish to be applied to his game. It is clear though that Rowbottom is a ready-made prospect who can have an immediate impact if given the chance amongst more mature bodies given his aptitude in contested situations.

STRENGTHS

  • Contested ball
  • Clearances
  • Clean hands
  • Tackling
  • Core strength
IMPROVEMENTS

  • Endurance
  • Kicking
  • Scoreboard impact

There are few who have been able to match the clearance nous of Rowbottom at TAC Cup level this year, with the Charger holding the second-best average (6.3) behind top five prospect Bailey Smith. With a strong core and desire to win the ball, Rowbottom hits the ball at pace and always look to push it forward by either breaking through the clinches or willing the ball onto his boot. Rowbottom’s desire to force the ball forward is also highlighted by his impressive inside 50 numbers, averaging almost five per game as he wins key balls in important areas. He moves it forward in varying ways and while he is not the quickest overall, his first three to four steps are good enough to get him free, with his decent agility granting him enough space to dispose quickly.

Another handy trait Rowbottom has is his ability to stand up in tackles and keep his arms up to flick out handballs. It is a nice touch of composure that some inside midfielders lack, but is so valuable as it keeps the play alive. The other side of an inside midfielder’s duties is the defensive one, and Rowbottom thrives on putting the clamps on his opponent. Playing so often at the coalface means that Rowbottom is constantly near the ball, allowing him to pressure the ball-carrier when he has not won it himself. He has a good knack of snatching the ball off his opponent with pure strength, but tackles hard when he can’t do so. His thirst for the contest sees him lay some bone-crunching tackles, setting the tone for his side from the supply.

The evidence is in: Rowbottom is a younger, taller Tom Mitchell.
 
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