Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee has dismissed vicious on-line rumours about his private life as ‘completely unfaithful’.
The Energy captain’s late withdrawal from the staff’s current conflict with Geelong resulting from sickness sparked conspiracy theories on social media.
However talking on SEN’s Fireball, the 25-year previous has hit again.
“I need to make it very clear that that is completely unfaithful, and there hasn’t been even an inkling of reality to any a part of what folks have been saying about me and my household,” he mentioned.
“It’s fairly disgusting and disappointing to see somebody make it up, after which lots of people who I do know or have heard of spreading it to their buddies or their household, some gamers from different golf equipment or people who I’ve heard of.
“It’s fairly disappointing to know that some folks can stoop that low and may have that type of character.
“Something to do with household I feel simply shouldn’t even be thought-about when individuals are considering that these items are humorous, as a result of it does influence their lives, much more than even mine, as a result of I’m clearly within the highlight a bit greater than our wives and children.
“For anybody that’s nonetheless questioning or not 100 per cent positive, my spouse and I are superb, we’ve by no means been higher, I’ve bought nice relationships with everybody on the soccer membership. This can be a fully made-up hearsay and I simply need to put a full cease on it, as a result of it bought a bit out of hand for a bit and it’s not okay.”
Rozee added that the hearsay has been reported to the AFL Integrity Unit, who’re investigating.
“It’s actually robust nowadays, sadly, with folks capable of make pretend accounts and say just about no matter they need behind a keyboard,” he mentioned.
“I’ll wait and see, however the principle factor is that my household are okay and we are able to transfer previous it now.”
Rozee and spouse Maisie Packer welcomed a daughter in Might final yr, and have been married in October.
A irritating 2025 season for the Energy has seen them fall from a preliminary last berth in 2024 to lacking the eight in Ken Hinkley’s last season as coach earlier than handing over the function to Josh Carr.
Rozee was moved to half-back from the midfield early within the season, averaging a career-high 27 disposals per sport.
Connor Rozee celebrates a purpose. (Photograph by Michael Willson/AFL Images by way of Getty Photographs)
‘Been shithouse’: Eagles veteran opens up on shedding run
West Coast veteran Jamie Cripps has opened up concerning the membership’s prolonged stint within the doldrums, however says he’s loving the prospect to mould the younger facet though he gained’t get to expertise the premiership rewards.
The Eagles have gained simply 11 out of 89 video games because the begin of 2022 and are assured to take residence the picket spoon this yr given their 1-20 document.
It’s a far cry from the dizzying highs of 2018 when Cripps helped West Coast defeat Collingwood by 5 factors in an epic AFL grand last.
From that premiership staff, solely Cripps, Elliot Yeo, Tom Cole, Liam Duggan and Liam Ryan stay.
If the Eagles fail to upset the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday or Sydney at residence subsequent week, it is going to mark the membership’s first one-win season.
4 years of shedding has taken a toll on the group, however final week’s combating nine-point defeat to ladder leaders Adelaide was one other glimmer of hope that the worst is properly and really behind West Coast.
Even so, shedding just isn’t enjoyable.
“It’s been shithouse actually,” Cripps mentioned when summing up the previous few years.
“It’s in all probability been an extended downhill than we thought we’d get.
“However yeah, simply getting indicators like towards Adelaide brings loads of hope and loads of belief in what Mini (Andrew McQualter) has dropped at the desk.
“That footy will get up in massive video games, so it’s thrilling.”
Cripps, a veteran of 270 video games, is ready to be handed a one-year contract extension within the coming weeks.
The 33-year-old is practical in figuring out he gained’t be there for the following flag, however he needs to play a task in serving to mould the fledgling squad.
“I almost definitely gained’t be right here for the following premiership, however I actually take pleasure in serving to these youthful boys out every time I can,” Cripps mentioned.
“In the event that they’re not having an ideal sport, I’m there to offer them with a little bit of consolation and get round them.”
A few of the membership’s most fun prospects are nonetheless of their infancy.
Harley Reid and Reuben Ginbey are 20, Jobe Shanahan, Archer Reid and Bo Allan are 19, Elijah Hewett and Jack Williams are 21, Brady Hough is 22,
West Coast are more likely to have the primary two picks at this yr’s nationwide draft, which can carry much more elite expertise on to the listing.
McQualter believes West Coast have made some vital progress this yr, regardless of it not exhibiting within the wins column.
“I’m truly actually bullish on notably our younger group. I feel we’ve bought a core of what is going to be right here for an extended time period and drive us in the direction of success sooner or later,” McQualter mentioned.
So how does Cripps match into such a younger group?
“They’re in all probability nearer to my children’ age than I’m to their age,” Cripps mentioned with fun.
“It’s thrilling. They’re a humorous bunch of boys. Half the time I do know what they’re speaking about, however they’re rippers, and I really like my footy, and I really like this membership.”
(AAP)
