Heading into 2019 there were many question marks next to the name of Gary Rohan, but after only seven rounds of football the 27-year-old has made an immediate impact.
Rohan leads the club’s goal kicking with 16, but it is his elite pressure and chase downs that have won over supporters and made him an instant fan favourite.
We all know Rohan is explosive off the mark, but many may not actually realise that the kid from Cobden is actually the fastest man in the AFL and we have the stats to prove it.
In 2019, he shares the record for the top speed recorded with Tiger Noah Balta – 34.9km/hr.
An asset he has been using to great effect this year.
“The chase by Gary Rohan to force that kick high makes my job easier,” Harry Taylor noted afterward the Geelong's round seven win.
Geelong coach Chris Scott is thrilled with the impact of Rohan, the latest Geelong flyer after the boy from Clunes, Bobby Davis.
“It was an interesting conversation that we had with him early days when we were considering that exchange with Sydney, even I was a little surprised that he felt one of his strengths was his marking ability,” Scott told SEN Radio.
“Stephen Wells absolutely confirmed that having watched him as a junior, he’s a little taller than most people would expect when you actually see him in the flesh.
“I think everyone knows the power and speed he has, you combine his height with his power and spring, and he can get up, so we’ve encouraged him to do that, we think that helps us.
“The one thing they can do week in week out is apply pressure and he certainly can do that with his speed.”
AFL’s Fastest Men
34.9km/h — Gary Rohan (Geelong)
34.9km/h — Noah Balta (Richmond)
34.5km/h — Dean Kent (St Kilda)
34.2km/h — Lachie Murphy (Adelaide)
34.2km/h — Nathan Wilson (Fremantle)
34.1km/h — Jimmy Webster (St Kilda)
The fastest man in football
Gary Rohan has hit the equal fastest top speed this year.