The West Australian looks back at five of Josh Rotham’s most influential performances

West Coast informed defender Josh Rotham that his career as an Eagle was over on Monday, so The West Australian looks back at five of his most influential performances.

1. Spreading his wings (Round 9, 2021 v Crows)

It’s pretty tough to shine in defence when you have to battle teammates such as Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass, Shannon Hurn and Brad Sheppard, but Josh Rotham outshone them all with a career-best 24 disposal day in 2021. The rangy defender was unstoppable, rebounding with pace from his 10 marks and intercepting forward thrusts at will as West Coast won comfortably.

2. Leading the line (Round 5, 2021 v Magpies)

2021 was a career-best season for Rotham the year after winning the club’s Emerging Talent Award. Against Collingwood, he made going forward almost impossible for Collingwood with 15 marks and 23 disposals as he fed his midfielders, helping the Eagles overturn a quarter-time deficit.

3. Release the shackles (Round 19, 2022 v Saints)

After spending some time learning ruck craft on the fly in the WAFL, Rotham was called into the senior squad to help Bailey Williams. And while it wasn’t the best day for the Eagles, the defender made the most of being freed up to attack, kicking his only two career goals in the match to go with eight hitouts.

4. Standing firm (Round 15, 2021 v Bulldogs)

Round 15, 2021, was a tough day for the Eagles, but Rotham stood tall alongside Sheppard to try and keep West Coast in the contest. He collected 12 marks and 23 disposals.

5. The Rotham wall! (Round 7, 2021 v Dockers)

Rotham was a one-man marking machine in the first derby of 2021, helping restrict Fremantle to just 11 majors in a big win for the Eagles. He produced 12 marks overall with most being intercepts.