David Rodan

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**David Rodan**
Personal information

Birth	October 8, 1983 (1983-10-08) (age 24), Fiji
Recruited from	Calder Cannons
Height and weight	172cm / 83kg
Playing career¹
Debut	R1, 2002, Richmond vs. Collingwood, at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Team(s)	Richmond (2002-2006) 65 games, 43 goals Port Adelaide (2007-) 25 games, 28 goals
¹ Statistics to end of 2007 end season
Career highlights
Morrish Medal 2000,2001 AFL Rising Star nominee 2002 Port Most Improved Player 2007 6th in the Best and Fairest 2007

David Rodan (born October 8, 1983 in Fiji) is a professional Australian rules footballer.

Rodan was recruited by AFL club Richmond Tigers at the end of 2001 at pick 33, on the back of back-to-back Morrish Medals in 2000 and 2001. Rodan played every game for two years (from his debut in 2002), and was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award in his debut season. Was once compared to Eddie Betts, with the pace and talent of the young blue.

Rodan's parents brought him to Australia when he was just 3 years old.^[1] His father wanted him to play rugby union, but there were no rugby clubs for juniors in his area. Instead, he tried Aussie Rules, beginning junior football with Oak Park and the Holy Child Football Club in Broadmeadows, and he developed a passion for the sport.^[2]

The Fijian born star was mainly played as a small crumbing forward along with Andrew Krakouer in the early part of his career, until the retirement of Matthew Knights and other Tiger midfielders pushed him into the midfield.

Rodan quickly earned the endearment of Tigers fans and is nicknamed 'D-Rod'.

Unfortunately for him and the Tigers he injured his knee and spent the entire 2005 season on the sidelines after a promising pre season, coming back slowly through Richmond's VFL affiliate the Coburg Tigers. Rodan made a return to league football in 2006, but was delisted at the end of the season, finding out at the club's best and fairest function via an impromptu speech from captain Kane Johnson. [1]

Rodan's career was given a reprieve when he was picked up by Port Adelaide with the final selection of the 2006 AFL draft, where he was to join his cousin Alipate Carlile. Port have had great success' with recycled players over the years. Other notable recycled players on Port's current list include Josh Mahoney and Daniel Motlop.

Rodan had an outstanding 2007 season in which he did not miss a game. His hard tackling (in the league top 10), strength, goal sneak ability and accuracy (28 goals, 7 behinds for the season), explosive bursts of pace and his ability to break the lines with his footwork were highlights of his game in 2007, and he averaged 11 possessions a game. Rodan received 6 Brownlow Medal votes at the 2007 medal count including a best on ground 3 votes for his round 12 performance, putting him in the top 60 players in the competition. His success in 2007 was capped by his appearance in all of Port Adelaides finals games and his ultimate selection in the Port Adelaide side for the 2007 AFL Grand Final. He finished his season finishing sixth in the Port Adelaide club best and fairest, a remarkable feat considering that he was delisted at the end of 2006.

Rodan has expressed his desire to see Australian rules football in Fiji succeed, and is an ambassador for Aussie Rules Pacific. On the 1st of June 2008 against Fremantle, he became the first Fijian player to reach 100 AFL games.