Player Watch #8 James Rowbottom

[Kennedy Parker]

James Rowbottom

The Sydney Swans recruited James Rowbottom

8

James Rowbottom

Age

25

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

25

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

 

[grimlock]

Found this discussion about the 'dual-skilled' mids quite relevant as it includes Rowbottom in it.

Round 12 2025 – This Week In Football

This Week In Football is a collection of some of the best in football currently outside the walls of AFL clubs or broadcasters. Each week a curated grab bag from regular contributors and special guests will provide insight into and beyond the game on subjects of their choosing. For more about...

thisweekinfootball.com

Tthey've defined this as players who average more than 5 tackles and 5 clearances a game. They've made the point the best players in this role are the ones who can impact both defensively and offensively - and Rowbottom is clearly in the bottom few of each chart or table.

 

[Bloods86]

Rowbottom is all heart, but atm the reality is he’s not getting a game in half AFL teams right now.

Neither would much of our 22 (though other clubs would be looking at how individuals would fit in their 22, not ours). But not all get the "was/is he actually ever any good" treatment and the arguments against Rowy are often limited to "he only got X disposals therefore low impact".

 

[Kbroome]

Neither would much of our 22 (though other clubs would be looking at how individuals would fit in their 22, not ours). But not all get the "was/is he actually ever any good" treatment and the arguments against Rowy are often limited to "he only got X disposals therefore low impact".

Without looking at the stats i'd guess that Rowbottom and probably Jordon lead us in the 1%s and other advanced stats that people don't really see or look for

Edit: Him and Jordon were not up there. However he does lead most of the defensive work for anyone not named a defender (not surprising).

 

[Bloods86]

Without looking at the stats i'd guess that Rowbottom and probably Jordon lead us in the 1%s and other advanced stats that people don't really see or look for

They are mid table

 

[Kbroome]

They are mid table

Yep was surprised about it but looks like something in the 1% category is favoured to defenders (maybe spoils?)

 

[Bloods86]

Yep was surprised about it but looks like something in the 1% category is favoured to defenders (maybe spoils?)

If you look at league totals it's defenders and talls for a long way. Spoils, shepherding, smothers, knock ons etc at least according to reddit (couldn't find an official definition quickly). AFL app says it includes tackles, blocks, baulks, running bounces as well, which can't all be true given tackle numbers for everyone, blocks for some, bounces for Chad etc.

Heeney and Rowy 9, Jordon 8, Chad 4 total.

We're led in averages by Melican, Hamling, Tmac, Blakey, Rampe, Grundy, Roberts, Bice.

 

[Kbroome]

If you look at league totals it's defenders and talls for a long way. Spoils, shepherding, smothers, knock ons etc at least according to reddit (couldn't find an official definition quickly). AFL app says it includes tackles, blocks, baulks, running bounces as well, which can't all be true given tackle numbers for everyone, blocks for some, bounces for Chad etc.

Heeney and Rowy 9, Jordon 8, Chad 4 total.

We're led in averages by Melican, Hamling, Tmac, Blakey, Rampe, Grundy, Roberts, Bice.

Yeah when I saw the list of like 8 defenders I was like yep surely something in the data base skews it to defenders

 

[Deccas]

Yes, I was wrong. Someone has provided the official definition which I thanked them for (not the same as yours, which you've also said confidently).

In the example being discussed, Rowy getting the ball is neither a disposal nor a possession.

Pull your head in champ you said an incorrect statement of fact "X = y".

I said "as I understand it". Its a qualifier. Its not a confident incorrect statement. This is your second just absolutely made up thing. Honestly what is the point in engaging with you if you make stuff up?

Why are you defending Rowbottom from criticism like this? I didn't even say that he's bad, just that he is good in an ambiguous way and that that's frustrating.

Your response to this whole thread has been sooky and personal.

 

[Deccas]

Calm down mate. First you say people are defending Rowy for reasons other than what they actually believe, now you're painting a genuine mistake, which I admit, as some panicked attempt to defend Rowy (on a topic I didn't even think to bring up in the main impacts Rowy has). For the examples being discussed, it's not a possession either.

Alright this reply has explained whats going on here. You can't read properly. You're upset about things I didn't say.

 

[Bloods86]

Pull your head in champ you said an incorrect statement of fact "X = y".

I said "as I understand it". Its a qualifier. Its not a confident incorrect statement. This is your second just absolutely made up thing. Honestly what is the point in engaging with you if you make stuff up?

Why are you defending Rowbottom from criticism like this? I didn't even say that he's bad, just that he is good in an ambiguous way and that that's frustrating.

Your response to this whole thread has been sooky and personal.

Deflecting from what you've said about people defending Rowy I see, to say I'm the one who went personal. Good one.

 

[Bloods86]

Straight up that's not the case. Don't say things with confidence that are wrong.

Champion data who produce these statistics record both and have a different definition for each. disposals is getting rid of the ball, possession is taking possession of it.

Hmm... don't see "As I understand it" here. This is the post I'm referring to, where you confidently give a partially incorrect definition.

 

[Bloods86]

Alright this reply has explained whats going on here. You can't read properly. You're upset about things I didn't say.

Lol. If you don't want to say certain things, use different words.

Hardly upset, this is hilarious.

 

[Kbroome]

My boy

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

After HT i think he said **** it nobody getting through me

 

[Kbroome]

After HT i think he said **** it nobody getting through me

He saw this tweet and went time for this guy to get stuffed

 

[hairy biker]

My boy

Oh dear this could get nasty

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Back half of last year, Rowbottom was one of my favourite users of the football.

He hasn’t been find the ball in as much space this year (and without the stats it also seems like he is getting less ball full stop).

I wonder how much of this is a team structure thing under Cox or a form thing?

It’s great to have someone who can tackle well, but if that is all they bring the pressure is not actually that high - as an opponent, the worse that Rowbottom can do is tackle you, usually without time to dispose so you get a ball up.

If he can start hurting teams the other way, it means his opponents need to be worrying about where he is and what might happen if they don’t get the loose ball cleanly.

Similarly, our more attacking mids need to lift their tackling and defensive efforts. As noted above, the best mids bring both and create multi-dimensional pressure for oppositions.

Out mids are very predictable as individuals and therefore as a group. Heeney is probably the most balanced, I think Mills will help a bit too. If Sheldrick continues to grow and improve his disposal, he will add further.

For Rowbottom, I wonder if we need some plays where Henney and Warner are the decoy and Rowbottom gets away?

 

[strauchanie59]

Back half of last year, Rowbottom was one of my favourite users of the football.

He hasn’t been find the ball in as much space this year (and without the stats it also seems like he is getting less ball full stop).

I wonder how much of this is a team structure thing under Cox or a form thing?

It’s great to have someone who can tackle well, but if that is all they bring the pressure is not actually that high - as an opponent, the worse that Rowbottom can do is tackle you, usually without time to dispose so you get a ball up.

If he can start hurting teams the other way, it means his opponents need to be worrying about where he is and what might happen if they don’t get the loose ball cleanly.

Similarly, our more attacking mids need to lift their tackling and defensive efforts. As noted above, the best mids bring both and create multi-dimensional pressure for oppositions.

Out mids are very predictable as individuals and therefore as a group. Heeney is probably the most balanced, I think Mills will help a bit too. If Sheldrick continues to grow and improve his disposal, he will add further.

For Rowbottom, I wonder if we need some plays where Henney and Warner are the decoy and Rowbottom gets away?

I think it's definitely a lack of self-confidence/belief for Rowy right now.

In Q4 yesterday, he got the ball on half-back and just threw it on the boot. When the camera angle zoomed out, there was nobody within 5-7m of him...he had so much more time than he thought he had.

That's become noticeable with him this year, that he doesn't think he has the time to dispose of the ball in an effective way.

 

[Nuggetz]

Back half of last year, Rowbottom was one of my favourite users of the football.

He hasn’t been find the ball in as much space this year (and without the stats it also seems like he is getting less ball full stop).

I wonder how much of this is a team structure thing under Cox or a form thing?

It’s great to have someone who can tackle well, but if that is all they bring the pressure is not actually that high - as an opponent, the worse that Rowbottom can do is tackle you, usually without time to dispose so you get a ball up.

If he can start hurting teams the other way, it means his opponents need to be worrying about where he is and what might happen if they don’t get the loose ball cleanly.

Similarly, our more attacking mids need to lift their tackling and defensive efforts. As noted above, the best mids bring both and create multi-dimensional pressure for oppositions.

Out mids are very predictable as individuals and therefore as a group. Heeney is probably the most balanced, I think Mills will help a bit too. If Sheldrick continues to grow and improve his disposal, he will add further.

For Rowbottom, I wonder if we need some plays where Henney and Warner are the decoy and Rowbottom gets away?

I'm really fascinated on what type of player he'll become at his peak. Will he be a Jude Bolton defensive maniac or will he have more attacking influence? I'm hoping he can develop his hanball skills to become an elite hanballer because our team needs it to transition the ball from contest imo.

Right now he's like the 3rd string midfielder, can he become the 2nd or 1st string? The main midfielder in a top 4 team? I don't know but I want to see what the midfield trio of Rowbottom/Sheldrick/Cleary looks like in the future.

 

[Punts]

Jude imo was a far superior player

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I'm really fascinated on what type of player he'll become at his peak. Will he be a Jude Bolton defensive maniac or will he have more attacking influence? I'm hoping he can develop his hanball skills to become an elite hanballer because our team needs it to transition the ball from contest imo.

Right now he's like the 3rd string midfielder, can he become the 2nd or 1st string? The main midfielder in a top 4 team? I don't know but I want to see what the midfield trio of Rowbottom/Sheldrick/Cleary looks like in the future.

I think a good goal could be to:

• remain elite at tackling
• become strong at handballing in tight
• get to average on winning ball on inside and occasionally outside
• get to average disposal by foot with high consistency, and above average accuracy for goal (which I think he had last year).

 

[The King!]

Jude imo was a far superior player

Easily. Jude could get the ball, mark, kick goals, he was underrated tbh.

Think Rowbottom is who he is, which is fine.]
Maybe we need a guy like a Sheldrick to go past him really

 

[Kiama Chris]

I want to see what the midfield trio of Rowbottom/Sheldrick/Cleary looks like in the future.

I don't think we'll see all three attending CBAs together too often. They're a bit too similar. Need a Heeney or Chad, maybe Mills, as first receiver to balance things. However all three can be good contributors.

 

[Bloods86]

Easily. Jude could get the ball, mark, kick goals, he was underrated tbh.

Think Rowbottom is who he is, which is fine.

Jude 2005 (7th year)
18.8 disposals, 3.3 marks, 0.1 goals, 5.1 tackles

Rowy 2025 (7th year), in what is so far a down year for form
18.1 disposals, 2 marks, 0.2 goals, 7.4 tackles

Jude's disposal rate dropped over the next 2 seasons, though he did kick 12 goals in 2006, before only 6 in 2007.

Now, I'm not making the claim that Rowy is as good, but I feel like comparing a 24 year old to a past player (who had some very good years later on in his career), risks a bit of nostalgic bias.

 

[The King!]

Jude 2005 (7th year)
18.8 disposals, 3.3 marks, 0.1 goals, 5.1 tackles

Rowy 2025 (7th year), in what is so far a down year for form
18.1 disposals, 2 marks, 0.2 goals, 7.4 tackles

Jude's disposal rate dropped over the next 2 seasons, though he did kick 12 goals in 2006, before only 6 in 2007.

Now, I'm not making the claim that Rowy is as good, but I feel like comparing a 24 year old to a past player (who had some very good years later on in his career), risks a bit of nostalgic bias.

I think the stats are misleading.

In 2005 Jude was our second highest disposal winner, the club averaged 284 disposals a game, so 18.8 of them are what 6.6% of the team total.

Rowbottom averages 18.1 a week and the club averages 350.5 disposals a game so he gets 5.16% of the teams total.

Maybe nothing major, but worth pointing out that 20 years ago possies were harder to get.

Flip side Rowbottom averages 12.29% of the teams tackles this year, where as Jude averaged 9.98% of the teams tackles.

What does that mean, maybe nothing really and maybe you are right there is nostalgic bias, not to mention Jude is a 2 time premiership player , so maybe I do just like him better and only remember the good.

Fair call