Player Watch #8 James Rowbottom

[Kennedy Parker]

James Rowbottom

The Sydney Swans recruited James Rowbottom

8

James Rowbottom

Age

23

Ht

186cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.0

4star

K

8.1

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

2.2

2star

T

4.3

5star

CL

2.0

4star

D

14.6

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.6

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

3.4

4star

CL

2.5

4star

D

14.4

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.6

5star

CL

1.2

4star

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

8

James Rowbottom

Age

23

Ht

186cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.0

4star

K

8.1

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

2.2

2star

T

4.3

5star

CL

2.0

4star

D

14.6

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.6

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

3.4

4star

CL

2.5

4star

D

14.4

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.6

5star

CL

1.2

4star

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

James Rowbottom | AFL

Follow James Rowbottom's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[Ticky009]

Defensive gun & we're only scratching the surface with his offensive game. Hoping he can have a proper off-season to get physically stronger & continue developing his offensive skills. He's shown glimpses of that burst, similar to Warner but hasn't quite strung that part of his game together yet. Once he does (I have full faith he will) then we'll have another elite 2 way mid. Right now he's playing his role perfectly by bringing his pressure & hunt around the footy. I'm very happy for him & he's only 21!!!

Yes, important to remember he's only young. So thrilled for him after the issues he faced last year with his knee, its not like we didn't know it was inhibiting him, but now we can see just how much it was causing him trouble by comparison to this year.

 

[Swannnnn]

I like the way he just bounced back up after getting cheap shotted by Preuss. Just no nonsense and getting on with it. How lucky we are to have him

 

[Nuggetz]

Getting mighty ducks bash brother vibes from Warner & Rowbottom

 

[caesar88]

Yes, important to remember he's only young. So thrilled for him after the issues he faced last year with his knee, its not like we didn't know it was inhibiting him, but now we can see just how much it was causing him trouble by comparison to this year.

Young in age but also relatively raw. He was especially when we drafted him. He was a skinny small defender-turned-inside mid as a junior, and his body reflected it. Tank needed significant work (averaged mid-60s in TOG% his first few years), there were question marks over his disposal, he wasn't an accumulator (averaged just 22 disposals his U18s year), was just 76kg at the time he was drafted (so shouldn't have been strong defensively.)

All of the above points to a player who should end up a massive bust, or who at least would need 2-3 years in the reserves developing. But the club obviously saw something in him because we used our first live pick in the strongest draft in a generation on him.

And we clearly got it right, because he's been best 22 since half way through his first season, and has not only held his own but has played some very, very good footy. Overperformed drastically in his career to date comparative to what his size and fitness should've allowed, but he's done it through just willing himself. He's added 6kg to his frame with more to come. He's bumped his TOG average up to 77%%. Gradually getting his body to a point where footy can become easier for him. Confidence will only roll off the back of that.

 

[Millky95]

Young in age but also relatively raw. He was especially when we drafted him. He was a skinny small defender-turned-inside mid as a junior, and his body reflected it. Tank needed significant work (averaged mid-60s in TOG% his first few years), there were question marks over his disposal, he wasn't an accumulator (averaged just 22 disposals his U18s year), was just 76kg at the time he was drafted (so shouldn't have been strong defensively.)

All of the above points to a player who should end up a massive bust, or who at least would need 2-3 years in the reserves developing. But the club obviously saw something in him because we used our first live pick in the strongest draft in a generation on him.

And we clearly got it right, because he's been best 22 since half way through his first season, and has not only held his own but has played some very, very good footy. Overperformed drastically in his career to date comparative to what his size and fitness should've allowed, but he's done it through just willing himself. He's added 6kg to his frame with more to come. He's bumped his TOG average up to 77%%. Gradually getting his body to a point where footy can become easier for him. Confidence will only roll off the back of that.

Just want him or T.Mac to sign a 5+ year deal so I can get a new jumper with one of their numbers on it

 

[Kiama Chris]

Young in age but also relatively raw. He was especially when we drafted him. He was a skinny small defender-turned-inside mid as a junior, and his body reflected it. Tank needed significant work (averaged mid-60s in TOG% his first few years), there were question marks over his disposal, he wasn't an accumulator (averaged just 22 disposals his U18s year), was just 76kg at the time he was drafted (so shouldn't have been strong defensively.)

All of the above points to a player who should end up a massive bust, or who at least would need 2-3 years in the reserves developing. But the club obviously saw something in him because we used our first live pick in the strongest draft in a generation on him.

And we clearly got it right, because he's been best 22 since half way through his first season, and has not only held his own but has played some very, very good footy. Overperformed drastically in his career to date comparative to what his size and fitness should've allowed, but he's done it through just willing himself. He's added 6kg to his frame with more to come. He's bumped his TOG average up to 77%%. Gradually getting his body to a point where footy can become easier for him. Confidence will only roll off the back of that.

I had the pleasure of seeing him in an early ressies game where he quite literally tore through the pack with the ball and out the other side. Again at least twice more that game. My thought at the time was that we have someone here who is prepared to take it on and who has the physicality to do it. Imagine where he'd be without that knee injury!

 

[Ticky009]

Fair game by Rowie today...

 

[wills2g]

Fair game by Rowie today...

Finally injury free, had him as our best mid moving forward a couple of years ago. Now that opposition are putting more attention into Chad he's stepping up nicely. Keep this up, opposition will put time into Rowy and then Chad will get off the chain

 

[The King!]

Getting mighty ducks bash brother vibes from Warner & Rowbottom

dont they fall out for a bit then come back together

 

[Nuggetz]

dont they fall out for a bit then come back together

dunno, I just remember the good stuff from those movies. I'm hoping the good stuff continues with these two!

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Rowbottom prides himself on tackling as he thinks its the only way he can contribute.

Modest guy.

 

[JZ_Skitzo]

His last couple months have quietened the trade talk thankfully

 

[Kapers]

Next level

 

[Swansujelly]

Another astute pick

 

[rustycrate]

Fair game by Rowie today...

And what a goal from near 50 in limited space!! He kicked the footy....and waited...and waited...and wildly celebrated.
Loved it.

 

[Jeffers]

I hope he can go another level in finals. We really need him to which I know is a lot for a 21 year old but f me he is primed for it.

 

[caesar88]

I hope he can go another level in finals. We really need him to which I know is a lot for a 21 year old but f me he is primed for it.

Only Mills has earned more POTY votes in games against top 4 sides in the last two seasons. Which is pretty impressive when you consider both his age and the fact he wasn't even right last year. So seems to bring his best against the best. And likely picks up more after yesterday.

 

[Kapers]

The Rowbottom Warner dynamic is genuinely the most exciting thing about the Swans for me

 

[CheapCharlie]

Top effort from Rowy.

Followed up and harrassed. Second efforts and third efforts and one 4th effort!

Going to be a key against the Dees

 

[MF]

Top effort from Rowy.

Followed up and harrassed. Second efforts and third efforts and one 4th effort!

Going to be a key against the Dees

Agreed.

Watching from the 3rd level last night his defensive work was absolutely manic. 2nd, 3rd, 4th efforts all over the park. I'm not sure we win that game without him.

Obviously niggling injuries and general fitness had an impact on his form early in the season but it's been quite amazing watching the purple patch he's hit the past month or 2.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

Becoming one of our most important players. Workman-like defensive performances, but has class with the ball in hand and is starting to find the big sticks as well.

Loving his return to top-line form, and elevating above his pre-injury form as well. Becoming a genuine star.

 

[SwansProudly]

 

[Ticky009]

Quick catch up with Rowie

 

[RUNVS]

Quick catch up with Rowie

Quite different to his uncle who spends most of every waking hour thinking about himself.

 

[Maximumlnsanity]

His last couple months have quietened the trade talk thankfully

Trade talk? What have I missed