Is Gary Rohan the worst finals player of all time?

Apr 6, 2008
1,458
1,205
Sydney
AFL Club
Essendon
Other Teams
Subiaco, Everton, SF 49ers
His two best finals are clear outliers. 23 and 18 disposals in those two games. Remove them from the equation and his stats are even worse - 147 disposals in 19 games (avg. 7.7)
Yes it's the 13/21 games with 9 or fewer possies(as per OP stats) that is the damning figure.
 
Mar 20, 2002
24,079
24,761
Mosman Village
AFL Club
Carlton
I just can't work Gary Rohan out.

I watched a lot of his games up here with the Swans (TV) and he was always looking dangerous and kicked important goals when needed. In fact when it was announced he was looking for a return to Victoria, I was hoping the Blues may have snagged him but it wasn't to be.

Some of his games this year have been sensational but his output across the three finals has been deplorable. How can a player with that much ability have such a rollercoaster formline ??

I don't know what the answer is but maybe it has a bit to do with the coach, a bit to do with the role he plays and a bit to do with what's between his ears.

Maybe its all three !!
 

RichLeMonde

Club Legend
Sep 26, 2019
1,929
3,539
Sydney
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Celtics
On the big stage, Gary Rohan makes Rhys Shaw look like Dustin Martin
 
Apr 6, 2008
1,458
1,205
Sydney
AFL Club
Essendon
Other Teams
Subiaco, Everton, SF 49ers
He's not really any worse in finals than he is the regular season. He averages less goals and slightly less disposals, but finals matches have less goals and slightly less disposals than regular season matches anyway, which probably accounts for most/all of the dropoff.

You could make a case that he's just not an especially good player in finals or out of finals and I don't think too many would disagree with you. At the same time, he's played under two very good coaches at two very good clubs and they keep picking him for finals, 22 times in fact, soon to be 23. You don't notch those kind of numbers without doing something right, even if it's just playing your role.
Good points well made. I suppose it come down to him being such an eye catching player, that he comes across as having attributes of speed, a good pair of hands and a beautiful kick, that it just seems incredible for him to have games where he has virtually zero impact. Plus of course neutrals are much more likely to be watching, or at least taking notice of him in finals than in H&A games not involving their own team.
 
Mar 11, 2018
10,037
16,988
AFL Club
Essendon
Is that an actor pretending to be Gary Ablett doing a Tony Greig impersonation?

Have you ever taken cocaine? It’s amazing stuff. Sends the brain into hyper speak.

That’s an interpretation of an actor pretending to be Gary Snr flying on coke. The jaw movements and fast paced dialogue.


How it got on air is a miracle.

I think Couch had something to do with it. His sly smile says it all.
 
Feb 5, 2018
13,936
33,319
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Other Teams
Chicago Blackhawks Melb Renegades
The major difference is Mooney had played 9 games and was 19 years old. He only came in due a suspension.

Mooney tells the story that he played the first 5 minutes, got dragged and never went back on.

During the lap of honour, the only thing Dennis Pagan said to him was 'you can learn something from today'.
 
Mar 11, 2018
10,037
16,988
AFL Club
Essendon
Happy to be blasphemous. Coaches from yesteryear were often glorified mascots given that the tactics of a few decades ago was basically "get the ball and kick it forward as far as you can".

yeah well it’s quite obvious you’ve never coached a footy team so you don’t know what you’re talking about
 

Punt Road Feral

Premiership Player
Aug 23, 2007
3,603
4,016
Punt Road's Manure Pit
AFL Club
Richmond
Mooney tells the story that he played the first 5 minutes, got dragged and never went back on.

During the lap of honour, the only thing Dennis Pagan said to him was 'you can learn something from today'.

Mooney can't stand Pagan as a person and coach.
Basically said to him at the GF that he didn't deserve to apart of the celebrations.
 

Infamy

🐯🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Oct 1, 2004
12,155
19,106
Melbourne, VIC
AFL Club
Richmond
You would have to think that what Geelong choose to do with Gary Rohan now he's out of contract will give you a pretty good idea of their intentions for their overall list strategy moving forward. It looks like he's out of contract, if they were smart, they'd just let him go. If they give him an extension, especially anything over 1 year, then they are delusional.


View attachment 1234981

Geelong has quietly re-signed forward Gary Rohan in recent weeks after another brilliant home-and-away season followed by a rollercoaster September.
The Herald Sun can reveal Rohan is certain to be at the Cats next year after recently agreeing to terms on a new deal, following seasons with 25, 22 and 32 goals since his move from Sydney.

While Rohan has had to deal with a turbulent personal life after breaking up with his wife Amie, he has played exceptional home-and-away football.

But a strong two-goal, 13-possession display against GWS was book-ended by a quiet qualifying final where he barely touched the ball in the first half and a poor preliminary final where he eventually hurt his hamstring.

Gary Rohan has re-signed with the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

Gary Rohan has re-signed with the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling said on Saturday Rohan would have lost the trust of the playing group after “disappearing” in the final against Melbourne.

He suggested playing Max Holmes or young midfielder Cooper Stephens might be more constructive for the club’s long-term hopes.


So predictable, more of the same from the Cats in 2021
🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️
 
Last edited:

PetterdHoisted

Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 27, 2014
6,314
9,538
AFL Club
Richmond
View attachment 1234981

Geelong has quietly re-signed forward Gary Rohan in recent weeks after another brilliant home-and-away season followed by a rollercoaster September.
The Herald Sun can reveal Rohan is certain to be at the Cats next year after recently agreeing to terms on a new deal, following seasons with 25, 22 and 32 goals since his move from Sydney.

While Rohan has had to deal with a turbulent personal life after breaking up with his wife Amie, he has played exceptional home-and-away football.

But a strong two-goal, 13-possession display against GWS was book-ended by a quiet qualifying final where he barely touched the ball in the first half and a poor preliminary final where he eventually hurt his hamstring.

Gary Rohan has re-signed with the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

Gary Rohan has re-signed with the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling said on Saturday Rohan would have lost the trust of the playing group after “disappearing” in the final against Melbourne.

He suggested playing Max Holmes or young midfielder Cooper Stephens might be more constructive for the club’s long-term hopes.


So predictable, more of the same from the Cats in 2021
🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️
'recent weeks'..sounds like it was already agreed to...cats can't tear it up even if they agree with Ling?
 
Nov 12, 2002
41,685
49,987
AFL Club
Geelong
While Rohan has had to deal with a turbulent personal life after breaking up with his wife Amie, he has played exceptional home-and-away football.

But a strong two-goal, 13-possession display against GWS was book-ended by a quiet qualifying final where he barely touched the ball in the first half and a poor preliminary final where he eventually hurt his hamstring.

Rohan has his own form of spin it seems. So 2 goals and 13 touches from a forward is 'strong'? I'd call it ok. For him it's close to exceptional.
 
Last edited:

MF

Good Poster, s**t Bloke
Sep 10, 2006
19,609
19,217
AFL Club
Sydney
Other Teams
Liverpool FC
I don't know what the answer is but maybe it has a bit to do with the coach, a bit to do with the role he plays and a bit to do with what's between his ears.

Maybe its all three !!

In an interview shortly after Garry was traded to Geelong Chris Scott alluded to the fact he thought that Longmire and the Swans weren't getting the best out of him because they didn't play him in the right positions.

I'm not sure what Scott has done differently but it doesn't seem to have changed much.
 
Back