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

 

[Kiama Chris]

It’s definitely an experiment. And now’s the time to be experimenting, so fair play to Cox.

Interesting to see how it plays out - but I’m far from convinced Rowy is a forward.

I think the experiment is to see how he goes as a forward if he's spending less time in the mid field. Never know if you don't give it a try. We know how many of the others do.
Like you, I'm not convinced, but he needs to be somewhere when not on the bench unless he's spending 70+% in the midfield.
Edit: Back pocket?

 

[MF]

He seemed to still find just as much of the ball as he did in the midfield anyway, took a couple of good marks and could have had a few goals too.

Definitely something worth persisting with.

 

[Jewelsbon]

I didn't mind the look of him in the forward line at all, albeit against poor opposition. If Big Cox wants to persist with the experiment, the real test will be this week against a quality backline.

 

[Kbroome]

Don't mind it because if anything it shows that Rowbottom's midfield minutes can decrease and we can get someone else in there

 

[MF]

Seems to be losing a lot of his midfield minutes to Sheldrick and also spending a bit less time on ground too.

Given his form this year I think that's the right call, and if it wasn't Sheldrick I think I'd have like to see Mills replace him in the middle too.

Question is can he become a valuable forward, or at least hybrid forward mid? His manic pressure should be handy in our forward line but he doesn't seem to have a lot of traditional forward traits to his game.

He seems to be finding a bit of the ball still (albeit more uncontested than before) and is hitting the scoreboard.

 

[McGowan3]

Seems to be losing a lot of his midfield minutes to Sheldrick and also spending a bit less time on ground too.

Given his form this year I think that's the right call, and if it wasn't Sheldrick I think I'd have like to see Mills replace him in the middle too.

Question is can he become a valuable forward, or at least hybrid forward mid? His manic pressure should be handy in our forward line but he doesn't seem to have a lot of traditional forward traits to his game.

He seems to be finding a bit of the ball still (albeit more uncontested than before) and is hitting the scoreboard.

Has done a lot of heavy lifting for us in the midfield over the past 5 years. Still a valuable member of the starting 22 splitting between up forward and in the mids as well as his footy smarts.

 

[Kiama Chris]

After today James needs a bump. Showing his characteristic spirit he has decided to stay and fight for his career.

 

[MF]

Hearing Cox on SEN this morning it very much sounded like Rowbottom was told at his exit meeting that a regular midfield spot most likely won't be happening for him next year.

I wonder if it will be Jordon or Mills, or possibly Sheldrick to pick up the slack (or a combination of)

 

[Superstar swan]

Rowbottom needs to fight tooth and nail for that mid spot. It’s his only real string to his bow

 

[Kbroome]

I actually don't mind him as a pressure forward, I know people will disagree but we need some pressure down there.

In 6 games as a FWD/MID he kicked 5.4 and still had 6 tackles per game. Yes he was still having 19% CBAs each game but those are handy numbers

 

[McGowan3]

I actually don't mind him as a pressure forward, I know people will disagree but we need some pressure down there.

In 6 games as a FWD/MID he kicked 5.4 and still had 6 tackles per game. Yes he was still having 19% CBAs each game but those are handy numbers

Agree with this. Knows where the goals are as well.

 

[S120]

I think Rowbottom can play forward with some efficacy, but the kind of tackling that is his strength is in tight, congested situations where he's bouncing off bodies and applying extreme pressure in tight. Forward pressure tackling needs speed that I don't think he really has. I don't think he's without any value as a forward because he does have some nous around sharp snaps at goal, but I do think we've got to play him in the middle if we want him at his best.

I actually don't mind him as a pressure forward, I know people will disagree but we need some pressure down there.

In 6 games as a FWD/MID he kicked 5.4 and still had 6 tackles per game. Yes he was still having 19% CBAs each game but those are handy numbers

I think how he finished the year is the kind of role I'd like for him moving forward with a little more time in the middle. As noted above, I'd push his CBA % a little higher than the 19% quoted here. Maybe put him to 20-25% to effectively split the time with Mills who might play closer to 75-80%?

 

[Bloods86]

Don't mind some forward time for Rowy, but I would find it pretty dismal if Cox has signalled that his midfield spot is in question after 1 down year (in which he didn't drop or refresh him), if other players who had down years like Chad and Blakey weren't also told their favoured roles weren't guaranteed too.

I would hope the flashy stuff doesn't distract our coaches from the defensive, as much as it does some fans.

 

[The King!]

He's been limited with ball in hand and we need to evolve from that in the middle where we get spanked, I think if we can have others genuinely push him out it's a win. I agree as a pressure forward pinch hitting mid he could be outstanding .

 

[Bloods86]

He's been limited with ball in hand and we need to evolve from that in the middle where we get spanked, I think if we can have others genuinely push him out it's a win. I agree as a pressure forward pinch hitting mid he could be outstanding .

Pretty much JPK and Parker quality disposal. Obviously they got the ball more (bit less tackling), but if that's the measure, the heat should also be on other mids who don't get near JPK numbers etc. Not that I think they need to.

If he gets pushed out by someone or a combination that matches his defensive output while improving on ball use (accumulation less important), then so be it. Not convinced we have those players though.

 

[ashep]

I don't really agree with some of the commentary that Rowbottom has "something to prove" this season.

If anything, I think it's the opposite.

We just saw a trade deadline where clubs took a hard line on contracted players. Conversely we tried to push Rowbottom out the door and he said "no thanks, I'm happy to fulfill the contract we both signed".

For mine, that's proof enough that Rowy is committed to this club. The onus is on the club to win his trust back.

In terms of on the field, he was a little up and down this year but like I've consistently said, I have no doubt he's a guy that every single teammate wants to run out alongside. I thought his time forward late in the year was intriguing and perhaps he is the key to replacing some of Hayward's forward pressure.

I absolutely expect him to have a huge year, but I don't think the "owes" it to us like I've seen some suggest.

 

[The King!]

Pretty much JPK and Parker quality disposal. Obviously they got the ball more (bit less tackling), but if that's the measure, the heat should also be on other mids who don't get near JPK numbers etc. Not that I think they need to.

If he gets pushed out by someone or a combination that matches his defensive output while improving on ball use (accumulation less important), then so be it. Not convinced we have those players though.

We agree on the second paragraph, they can just got your out, if he's out then player X and y are giving more. I just think we can get that more so than you seem too.

Putting JPK in the discussion with Rowbottom not even in the same ballpark

 

[Tedeski]

I don't really agree with some of the commentary that Rowbottom has "something to prove" this season.

If anything, I think it's the opposite.

We just saw a trade deadline where clubs took a hard line on contracted players. Conversely we tried to push Rowbottom out the door and he said "no thanks, I'm happy to fulfill the contract we both signed".

For mine, that's proof enough that Rowy is committed to this club. The onus is on the club to win his trust back.

In terms of on the field, he was a little up and down this year but like I've consistently said, I have no doubt he's a guy that every single teammate wants to run out alongside. I thought his time forward late in the year was intriguing and perhaps he is the key to replacing some of Hayward's forward pressure.

I absolutely expect him to have a huge year, but I don't think the "owes" it to us like I've seen some suggest.

That's fine but he needs to provide more than last year & the year before & the year before that. That's the way the game has evolved unfortunately for team lists. He falls into the category of hard in & under tackler. Such players now need to get going after the contest both ways & not stay planted in & around the vicinity of where the tackle took place. That's detrimental to the team by today's standards. So too is the up & under quick kick (disposal under pressure) that only goes 20-30 metres & often to the opposition who are zoned off for the intercept.
I'm certain this is what was spoken about to Rowy at his exit meeting.
Tough but true IMO. No doubting he will fight tooth & nails to add other dimensions to his game under the new coach.

 

[Bloods86]

I don't really agree with some of the commentary that Rowbottom has "something to prove" this season.

If anything, I think it's the opposite.

We just saw a trade deadline where clubs took a hard line on contracted players. Conversely we tried to push Rowbottom out the door and he said "no thanks, I'm happy to fulfill the contract we both signed".

For mine, that's proof enough that Rowy is committed to this club. The onus is on the club to win his trust back.

In terms of on the field, he was a little up and down this year but like I've consistently said, I have no doubt he's a guy that every single teammate wants to run out alongside. I thought his time forward late in the year was intriguing and perhaps he is the key to replacing some of Hayward's forward pressure.

I absolutely expect him to have a huge year, but I don't think the "owes" it to us like I've seen some suggest.

Owes us in the same way a lot of others do. Few had equivalent or better years than previous.

The problem lies in some fans and possibly now coaches (but maybe this is just noise) not noticing or straight up forgetting his value/impact in previous years.

 

[ashep]

That's fine but he needs to provide more than last year & the year before & the year before that. That's the way the game has evolved unfortunately for team lists. He falls into the category of hard in & under tackler. Such players now need to get going after the contest both ways & not stay planted in & around the vicinity of where the tackle took place. That's detrimental to the team by today's standards. So too is the up & under quick kick (disposal under pressure) that only goes 20-30 metres & often to the opposition who are zoned off for the intercept.
I'm certain this is what was spoken about to Rowy at his exit meeting.
Tough but true IMO. No doubting he will fight tooth & nails to add other dimensions to his game under the new coach.

I get you, and don't necessarily disagree with your comments about his game evolving.

I guess what I'm responding too specifically is those that seem to think he somehow now owes us more simply because he refused to seek out a trade.

But absolutely happy for him to be pushed to add to his game as required.

 

[Bloods86]

We agree on the second paragraph, they can just got your out, if he's out then player X and y are giving more. I just think we can get that more so than you seem too.

Putting JPK in the discussion with Rowbottom not even in the same ballpark

Good thing I wasn't doing that with JPK/Rowy (putting them in the same ballpark), I was just noting similar limitations on disposal quality.

It's not that we absolutely can't replace him, it's just that others would have to step up on current defensive impact. We may see if that can happen.

 

[Nuggetz]

I think Rowbottom can play forward with some efficacy, but the kind of tackling that is his strength is in tight, congested situations where he's bouncing off bodies and applying extreme pressure in tight. Forward pressure tackling needs speed that I don't think he really has. I don't think he's without any value as a forward because he does have some nous around sharp snaps at goal, but I do think we've got to play him in the middle if we want him at his best.



I think how he finished the year is the kind of role I'd like for him moving forward with a little more time in the middle. As noted above, I'd push his CBA % a little higher than the 19% quoted here. Maybe put him to 20-25% to effectively split the time with Mills who might play closer to 75-80%?

Spot on, maybe a bit of mindset/role change to all him more freedom to win the ball will help. A bit like Rowell/Neale types with their repeat efforts to win the ball. I think we need him, Juzzy & Campbell to go to another level this season to challenge the likes of Lions, Suns, Cats. I'm excited that his potential anger & desperation creates more competitiveness within the team. There's a chip on his shoulder this season, it could bring the best out of him.

 

[Tedeski]

I get you, and don't necessarily disagree with your comments about his game evolving.

I guess what I'm responding too specifically is those that seem to think he somehow now owes us more simply because he refused to seek out a trade.

But absolutely happy for him to be pushed to add to his game as required.

Rowy in no way owes us anything. He owes himself to reinvent himself so we as fans can get enjoyment out watching a loyal servant prolong his career. I don't want to see him go elsewhere only to find the same fate.

 

[bedford]

Rowbottom needs to fight tooth and nail for that mid spot. It’s his only real string to his bow

That's right , can't tackle lol