Player Watch #8 James Rowbottom

[Kennedy Parker]

James Rowbottom

The Sydney Swans recruited James Rowbottom

8

James Rowbottom

Age

24

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

24

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

 

[Punts]

No more strapping on his knee

Looks fit

Playing like he is fit amd confident again

 

[Kiama Chris]

I glossed over this a little on the night. That was a violently won contest by Rowbottom against probably the best contested ball midfielder in the game. Sheesh.

Reckon he's been training with Sydney Uni Rugby how to rip the ball in the maul. Use of the upper arms and body twist absolutely classic. Oliver only using hands and arms. No chance!

 

[rustycrate]

Reckon he's been training with Sydney Uni Rugby how to rip the ball in the maul. Use of the upper arms and body twist absolutely classic. Oliver only using hands and arms. No chance!

I reckon lots of NSW boys know how to tackle and evade a tackle. It's one edge over Vic boys.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I reckon lots of NSW boys know how to tackle and evade a tackle. It's one edge over Vic boys.

I agree. Harry, Wicks, Heens, Mills all tackle with more body. Get in close. Reckon they've all played school rugby or league. Errol, Lizard and Braeden not so much. Heeney still steps like a league player. Drops the inside hip to push off.
Overall, for a team that's not that big, I reckon our guys are very hard tacklers full stop.

 

[Millky95]

I agree. Harry, Wicks, Heens, Mills all tackle with more body. Get in close. Reckon they've all played school rugby or league. Errol, Lizard and Braeden not so much. Heeney still steps like a league player. Drops the inside hip to push off.
Overall, for a team that's not that big, I reckon our guys are very hard tacklers full stop.

I remember back in the day people would always say K.Jack was the hardest tackler in the comp

 

[rustycrate]

I remember back in the day people would always say K.Jack was the hardest tackler in the comp

My dad used to say look at their belly button and drive your shoulder into it.

 

[wills2g]

Finally relieved of tagging duties, and back to his best self going for the ball rather than worrying about his man

 

[caesar88]

Finally relieved of tagging duties, and back to his best self going for the ball rather than worrying about his man

Have said it all year and I stand by it. There are defensive mids and then there are mids who are very good defensively. They're very different things. Rowbottom is clearly the latter, so hopefully it's a lesson learned.

I've also said all year that he's been the missing and most important piece in the midfield puzzle, because to me he is the one who kinda bridges the individual games of Mills & Warner, which takes the whole midfield to another level.

 

[Ticky009]

Shout out for Rowies efforts on the weekend Now that he's fit we're really starting to see him at his best.

 

[Kapers]

Shout out for Rowies efforts on the weekend Now that he's fit we're really starting to see him at his best.

Hopefully he gets more autonomy to win the ball near the end of the year. Has the ability to go toe to toe with the best in the game.

 

[Millky95]

Hopefully he gets more autonomy to win the ball near the end of the year. Has the ability to go toe to toe with the best in the game.

Remember when he just ripped the ball out of Oliver's hands against Melbourne. Beautiful stuff

 

[Ticky009]

 

[JZ_Skitzo]

Not too mention he is starting to consistently lay dudes out

 

[The King!]

Elite ranking for tackles and above average for pressure acts in 2022

 

[the hypnotoad]

rowbottom, like florent, is really starting to live up to the potential and playing with more consistency
he's so tough, and always seems to be in the right place
hayward on the same trajectory

these three have never been the headliners like, say, younger blokes such as warner or gulden, but they are very important as this swans squad builds to being a genuine premiership heavyweight over the next few years
hopefully stephens is the next one stepping up
and as a more mature player, fox as well seems to be revelling in the confidence that comes with regular senior football

 

[Ticky009]

Great pickup and deserves a call out

 

[CheapCharlie]

One of our best today on a day we had winners across the ground.
MIdfield star for us

 

[Citrus22]

He might be the true midfield heir of Josh Kennedy. Nailing those tackles with perfect technique just like the master.

 

[BarneyBent]

Last couple of weeks he's really lifted his attacking game to match his defensive work. Might have been a bit longer coming than some of us wanted but it's starting to pay dividends.

Still makes some rushed kicks, but we can't all be perfect. His tackling game for a young man is truly great and will only get better as his body gets stronger.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Returning to that great form of 2019-2020 very pleasing signs.

 

[Superstar swan]

His best game for the club today

 

[caesar88]

What a player he is already. Obviously he's a gun and that's exciting for our future, but I think what I like most about him is just the way he goes about it. When he's in action he's like an energiser bunny on steroids. But when he's not in play or off the field, he just seems like a good, quiet, humble kid. There's no over the top goal celebrations, he's never involved in that argy-bargy stuff off the ball, never remonstrates after copping a hit or anything.

Doesn't seem in it for the attention or the adoration. Just goes out there for 2 and a half hours to get us the win every week. Lets his footy do the talking. The kind of player even opposition supporters won't be able to hate.

 

[Ticky009]

Interview after the game

 

[Nuggetz]

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!!!

 

[CheapCharlie]

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!!!

He has a lot of upside from here. As you mention, he has the potential to offer a serious offensive role to his game