A LOT of faces have changed from those Mitch Rogerson used to know in 2015 when he was an 18-year-old playing in a Mildura side competing for finals.
At the time, Rogerson polled third in voting for the McLeod medal and moved through the club feeling like he was connected to everybody.
Mildura lost in the preliminary final to eventual champions Red Cliffs. Afterward, Rogerson packed his things and moved to Bendigo.
Now, at 26, the Melbourne-based physiotherapist is re-acquainting himself with his home club as he learns to play with younger versions of himself.
Despite his frustration about the Demons’ results this season, Rogerson can see that the developing Mildura side is progressing on the field.
“The last time I played I was one of the younger guys that just went out and played footy,” Rogerson said. “We were quite a successful side and were batting deep into finals.
“Whereas to come back now, and probably have quite a few faces that I’ve never seen before and a fair bit younger, it has been different.
“There are about eight to 10 players that are probably in that bracket from 16 to 19. I was in that exact position.”
Rogerson played three seasons for South Bendigo while at university and made a name for himself as a speedy winger for the Bloods.
In 2019, he moved to Melbourne and played for the Keilor Blues who, under the tutelage of coach Mick McGuane, went undefeated through 20 games to claim the Essendon District Football League premier division.
On his return to Mildura, Rogerson said he was driven to repeat that success.
“I draw on that experience quite heavily,” Rogerson said. “Everyone knew … what it took to win and the sacrifices that it took to play your role.
“You have to be quite selfless to want to play in a side like that.
“To have that success, it’s important to have people around the club and in the team that have achieved that success in the past and be able to replicate it.”
But while he understood the “considerable jump” needed to transition from junior to senior football, Rogerson said living in Melbourne had made it a “challenge” to share “little tips” on the realities of senior football with his teammates.
This has led him to focus on doing the rounds each week he returns to Mildura.
“I just make sure I get around to as many of the blokes and just chat to them,” he said. “Yes, we’re there to play footy, but I’m also catching up on what they’ve been doing during the week and how they’re feeling.”
Rogerson kicked two goals in last Saturday’s 39-point win over South Mildura, which was the Demons’ third in five weeks. It was a sign for Rogerson that the team had turned the corner.
The winger-turned-midfielder said he had felt unsure about his form early this season, but had developed confidence as he strung games together.
Rogerson said as the Demons approach the end of the season, he had noticed that the younger Demons were understanding the dedication required to be a successful side.
“Everyone’s (got to be) internally driven and if they’re not putting in the hard yards, then the club is going to move forward without them,” he said.
“I think they’re slowly learning that if you’re not doing that, it does impact on football at the weekend.”
As the Holcroft Lawyers Footballer of the Week, Rogerson receives $125 from Holcroft Lawyers, 143 Langtree Avenue, Mildura, and is in the running to be the Holcroft Lawyers Footballer Of The Year winner.
