Young Rosas is the really quiet achiever at Suns
HE came to the Gold Coast Suns as a scrawny young Indigenous footballer out of Darwin and 18 months later Malcolm Rosas will run on to Metricon Stadium to make his AFL debut against Brisbane on Saturday.
Self-described as “not the most confident bloke”, the Malcolm Rosas who fans will see on the field is a vast improvement on the one who was selected by the Suns as the first player to come through the club’s academy zone in Darwin in 2019.
He always had the talent and the flair but now he has the confidence and consistency to make his mark on the big stage.
“Last year I wasn’t very developed and I just wasn’t ready,” the 19-yearold said.
“I was still a bit raw and just didn’t really know what I could be capable of. I was trying to see what I could do and figure myself out at this level.
“I was still in that development stage, and I’m still developing now but I think I’m ready to take the big step.”
Rosas had a solid first season with the Gold Coast club, playing in the Suns reserves scratch matches against rival AFL clubs.
But it wasn’t until post-season discussions with the coaching staff when things started to fall into place.
“I chatted with most of the coaches and mainly the forwards coach Tim
Clarke and Stuey (Dew) on what I needed to do to play AFL,” Rosas said.
“It’s about how I need to keep my talent there but focus on playing consistent footy and just keep bringing the heat.
“I worked a lot on just bringing my pressure and improving my workrate as well (throughout pre-season).
“My pressure has probably been the best I’ve ever had it right now.
“I just want to keep doing that and keep bringing my talent.”