It was only James Rowbottom’s fourth AFL game and he’s hoping to enjoy a long career at the top level, but the gutsy Sydney Swans on-baller will never forget Saturday’s clash with the Gold Coast Suns.
Not only did the first-year draftee soak up the euphoria of his first win at the SCG, he helped the Swans to victory in front of his family and alongside two of his most admired childhood idols.
As Rowbottom joined gun Swans Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker in the midfield at various points in the game, his mum, dad and sister watched on among the 26,194-strong crowd on an evening sure to be savoured.
“Even at training in 18-v-18 during the week it’s just unbelievable to go up against blokes I looked up to growing up as an AFL fan,” Rowbottom told SwansTV post-match.
“Then to play on the big stage with them tonight was a dream come true.
“And it was special to come down and enjoy the win with the family in the rooms after the game.”
Rowbottom collected 21 touches (eight contested) and eight tackles as the Swans locked in a third win in a row.
Along with Nick Blakey, Colin O’Riordan, Robbie Fox, Daniel Menzel, Ryan Clarke and Jackson Thurlow, Rowbottom is among a host of Swans to have recorded a first SCG win in red and white this season.
The Swans’ second-round 2018 draft pick got his first taste of victory as Sydney pipped North Melbourne in a Hobart thriller in Round 9.
Sydney is now zeroing in on a crucial match against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, with the Swans and Bombers sitting two wins and one win outside the top eight respectively.
Just one win and percentage separate eighth-placed Fremantle and 14th-placed St Kilda, with Sydney occupying 12th position ahead of a final stretch of eight regular-season games.
Rowbottom says the Swans are hell-bent on building on their impressive run of form.
“Our form has been pretty good and being just outside the top eight we’ve got to continue the form if we want to make the finals,” Rowbottom said.
“We’ve all got a really strong belief in this group that we can get there.”
