Port Adelaide recruit Tom Rockliff is anticipating larger stints in the forward line with his new club, after establishing himself as a midfielder with the Brisbane Lions.
Rockliff has been celebrated as one of the league’s most aggressive interior players, as he ranked first in the AFL for stoppage clearances per game in 2017. Furthermore, the 27-year-old has averaged 5.4 clearances or more over the past four seasons, while amassing double-digit contested possession numbers in six of his past seven campaigns.
However, with a stacked Power midfield consisting of Travis Boak, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert, Sam Powell-Pepper and Jared Polec, Rockliff admits he may be utilised up the ground more often.
The former Lions captain has never kicked 18 or more goals in a season, but that hasn’t diminished his excitement levels to occasionally switch positions.
“There’s no doubt I’ll spent more time forward than I have in the past,” Rockliff told SEN’s The Run Home.
“To slip into the forward line and get to Charlie Dixon’s feet, and work with Robbie Gray and Travis Boak. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to play in those parts of the ground.
“I’ve been training with Robbie Gray over the past couple of days and to play up close with him, I can’t wait.
“I think there is a real buzz around the club at the moment.
“I’ll be definitely playing through the midfield as well. To rove to Paddy Ryder and work with Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper – we have a lot of hard work in front of us and that’s exciting for the footy club.
“You never know and you have to be able to play multiple positions and you can see momentum shifts in games.
“I’m looking forward to playing with a number of the players that the Power have. I can’t wait for these games to come around.”
Port’s busy offseason saw them acquire Rockliff, Steven Motlop, Jack Watts, Lindsay Thomas and Jack Trengove, while letting depth players such as Jackson Trengove, Brendon Ah Chee, Logan Austin, Jarman Impey, Aaron Young and Matthew Lobbe walk.
The large list turnover has led to some experts, such as five-time premiership player Kevin Bartlett, declaring the Power as the team to beat in 2018.
Finding consistency from the likes of Motlop and Watts could hold the key to Port’s flag hopes, as the pair has often been maligned for their fluctuating performances.
However, Rockliff hasn’t had such issues throughout his career, being one of Brisbane’s most reliable leaders since his debut in 2009.
That steady output has been impacted slightly after a postseason shoulder cleanup, but the Murray Bushrangers product has lauded his teammates, while slowly getting back into full training.
“I had a shoulder operation in the offseason, so I’m still sort of building back up,” Rockliff said.
“The intensity in the sessions, the running capability of the group, the amount they cover the ground, and how they lean they are, it’s been quite impressive.
“It’s a credit to the leadership group and how they’ve set it up, and Ken is an outstanding coach and has strong relationships with the players.”
The Power’s 2018 journey begins on March 24 against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval.
Did you miss Tom Rockliff’s chat on The Run Home? Take a listen in the player below!