Why We Love JvR
Rooooo
Not many players get their own chant ringing around the MCG from their very first game. We were rapt when the Dees drafted Jacob van Rooyen, as his thirst for attacking the contest was already obvious. Then we got to watch him develop his fitness at Casey over 2022, and by the second half of that VFL season his AFL debut was increasingly highly anticipated. His eventual debut in Round 3 of 2023 did not disappoint, with the Dees crowd in love with his attack on the footy and his obvious competitive nature was on display from the start.
There is no better sight in footy than players taking huge marks, and every single time you see JvR within cooee of a marking contest you can't help but get excited about the leap that is about to come. He's an absolute joy to watch.
Apart from the spectacular aerials and elite goal kicking accuracy you get from Roo, we also love how he loves to compete. Every single contest, from the first bounce to the final siren, whether up foward or helping out in the ruck, JvR is a competitive beast that of course the fans adore.
Quotes About Roo
Max Gawn mic’d up v Freo July 21 2024 :
“He’s got a 300 game career ahead of him, doesn’t he? Just an aggressive player”. (He used another word instead of “player”, but we’re PG here at the JvR Appreciation Society).
Greg Stafford, MFC Forwards Coach, 18 April 2024:
“You're a pretty special character."
MFC List Manager, Tim Lamb, 16 April 2024:
“He is a much-loved character, both within the club and among our members and supporters, and at just 21 years old, has an exciting future ahead."
Greg Stafford, MFC Forwards Coach, 22 Aug 2023:
“He's got incredible air to ground, and his agility and second efforts and follow up work is what makes him a real handful."
Jack Viney, 6 July 2023:
“Competitor" (When asked to describe Jacob with one word).
Max Gawn, 6 June 2023:
"He's a good kid. Not many young guys, especially tall guys come into the competition and crash packs like he does."
Jake Lever, 3 June 2023:
“I love talking about Jacob because he is probably my favourite player to watch.
He is one of those key forwards that you just imagine you’d love to play with, and I do. He just launches at the ball and in the end that’s all you can ask for. Ever since he came to the football club I remember his first week you could just see that urge for the contest and that ability to launch at the ball.”
Simon Goodwin, 1 April 2023:
“One thing you'll see from Big Rooey... He goes at the ball hard.”
MFC List Manager, Tim Lamb, 3 Nov 2022:
“Jacob is an exceptional young talent and we are excited to watch him continue to grow over the coming seasons.”
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