Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee said the excitement for the season is evident among the group, with new staff and players bringing fresh ideas and energy. 

The entire AFL squad was back at Alberton on Monday, with the older players raring to go, joining the young boys on the track. 

Rozee spoke with the Adelaide media following the morning session, touching on the end of the 2025 season, how Josh Carr is settling in as senior coach, and what rookie Jack Watkins adds to the group. 

Rozee on the whole squad being back together 
“It's exciting this time of year, it’s just nice to catch up with everyone. They've all been off doing different things, and to have a full group back now, obviously, with all the new coaches and new people we've got around the football club, there's a great energy and really good vibes. And training was great again today. So yeah, really excited for the next few weeks before Christmas, and then we'll continue to build. 

“I think when you bring so many new people in there's a natural energy that comes with an excitement towards the new season about things that are changing, whether that's game plan or different people that are coming through. We'll start to learn more about how we're going to play over the next few weeks. But I think everyone's just generally more excited about those new opinions that you have to establish with new people. It's pretty exciting for the boys.” 

Rozee on having so many senior players back before they were required  
“Yeah, it's great. They clearly don't have to be here. Our younger guys have been training really hard, and to see so many of our senior boys back out here when they don't have to be, they could be still on holidays. So I think it shows that they want to get better. We clearly didn't finish the way we would have liked last year. So we're here to work hard and hopefully go as far as we can next year.” 

Rozee on the how the break felt without playing finals 
“Longer, definitely. Watching finals is certainly a lot tougher than playing in them. To be honest, I think it will hold us in good stead in the long run, it puts a bit of fire in your belly to want to get back there as quickly as possible. So I'm pretty sure we've got the list to do it, and we'll start building from day one.” 

Rozee on his leadership with lots of new people around 
“As I said before, it's just exciting that I get to establish new relationships with different people who haven't had an opinion of who I've been in the past. Josh and I have obviously known each other for a long time, but all the new coaches that have come in have been amazing. They've brought a great motivation to the young boys who have been training. And it's been refreshing.” 

Rozee on observing Josh Carr as a senior coach 
“Just his leadership style, I think is probably the main thing. He's pretty softly spoken but knows when to put his foot down. And I think he's got a lot of respect from not only his own career, but his coaching career over the last few years. The boys love him. He's a fair bit younger than Kenny, so he will have a sort of different relationship with a lot of the boys. But yeah, I'm excited now to learn how we're going to play.” 

Rozee on having fresh voices at the club 
“We spoke about Ken a lot at the end of last year, he did so much for our football club, but it was probably the right time, I think, for Josh to take over. And I’ve said it a few times now, but it’s just a refreshing start. I feel like the air's lifted a little bit around the building, and everyone's really excited to get back into training and learn how we're going to play.”   

Rozee on how tough the end of the 2025 season was 
“Yeah, definitely it was. We knew we were not going to play finals a few games out, and we had a fair few injuries, so that gave some young guys some opportunities over the last few games. Myself, personally, as a leader, your job is to be out there and support the team. So yeah, whether or not I was at 100 per cent was probably not my main concern. It was the fact that I was able to get out there, I think, is something I can hold my head high about, and I'm glad we did finish that game, the last game, the right way. It was a tough end to the season, but I think that'll give us a lot of motivation for this year.” 

Rozee on the draft last week 
“I think we made it pretty clear before the draft that we've taken a lot of guys over the last 12 months or so, through the mid-season draft, last year (national draft), and a lot of them were pretty young and look like they're going to play a pretty big role for our team. (Our list management team) had some options selected and they didn't pop up when they wanted to use their pick. I'm sure we'll go into next year's draft, hopefully with a with a decent hand. And obviously the opportunity with Dougie Cochrane now is pretty exciting. So yeah, it's not a big issue from my end. I think our list is in a good spot.” 

Rozee on Jaidyn Stephenson training on 
“Yeah, he’s been great so far with the guys. He's a great personality, and he's made it pretty clear that he's willing to come in and work hard and earn the respect of everyone. So yeah, I'm not sure where that will end up in a few weeks with the list spot, but we've definitely got some options of those guys and Carry and the coaching panel will make a decision in few weeks. 

“I think (Jaidyn) coming to Adelaide and maybe getting away from Melbourne is an opportunity for him. And the space that our group is in at the moment, it's an extremely young group, so he probably sees himself as more of a leader. He’s got a couple of months to really prove himself, so it's exciting for him.” 

Rozee on Jack Watkins 
“He's been amazing over the last year or so. I’ve built a pretty good relationship with him. He's one of those guys who just love to have around the club. He trains the right way all the time. He does all the right things, and obviously dominated in the SANFL last year. So yeah, really proud of him that he got his opportunity.” 

Rozee on Zak Butters’ future 
“I think his personality type is he's going to give his absolute all every week, no matter what. Our job as a football club is to give him the best opportunity to win, the best environment around the club. Put the right people around him to make him want to be here. My job is to play good footy, be a good friend and give him a lot of reasons to stay. (Team performance) is important every year for most people, no matter who they are. He's obviously super competitive so I'm sure if we win a lot of games this year, it might help a bit.” 

Rozee on Jason Horne-Francis following his footy surgery  
“He’s good. He's just over there, I think, watching, making sure I say nice things about him. He's going well, I think his surgery went well. He's been working hard in the gym…I won't blow him up too much!”