Swans debutant James Rose admitted to feeling a little worse for wares while waiting for his chance in Saturday’s derby against GWS.
The anxious wait stretched over three quarters of footy but must have felt like an eternity for Rose who went into the game as the Swans’ starting sub.
Even with the game iced – the Swans enjoying a 62-point lead at the final break – Rose made a dash to the change rooms before the move was made and green vest removed.
“I was actually pretty shocking to be honest,” Rose said of the nerves in an interview with SwansTV post-match. “I had to run to the toilet at three-quarter-time before I got the vest taken off…I wasn’t going well.”
Starting the final term in the forward pocket, Rose hoped for an early touch and to make use of the little time he had – enough to catch the eye of coaches and increase his chances of a second game.
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His first disposal came shortly after, a handball on centre wing, much to the 19-year-old’s relief.
But what came next was a dream come true.
“I came on with the intention of having some sort of impact but I didn’t think I would have that much,” Rose said.
“That touch on the far wing I was happy with so to get a couple more touches after that was pretty special.”
Rose’s first goal was met with hysteria with (almost) every player congratulating him on the achievement. Even the defenders made the effort to run the entire length of the field, apart from Ted Richards who clapped and saluted his congratulations near the centre circle.
“He apologised to me after that,” Rose joked.
Then came two more goals, the last (best of the lot) met with absolute euphoria from the man of the moment as the right-foot snap amid heavy congestion sailed through.
“It was a pretty special moment, one I’ll never forget.”
Match Committee faces the tough task of deciding whether retain Rose ahead of Sunday’s clash against St Kilda despite a number of players close to returning from injury including Lance Franklin, Tom Mitchell, Gary Rohan and Ben McGlynn.
