Connor Rozee put on the spot with surprise personal question from Brian Taylor after Port Adelaide victory

AFL players have come to expect the unexpected when Brian Taylor puts them on the spot in the rooms after a big prime-time win.

But when you’ve dominated like Connor Rozee did in Port Adelaide’s 69-point win over Essendon, you’d probably expect more than one question on footy.

Except that was all the 24-year-old captain got before BT put him on the spot with multiple personal questions.

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“Congratulations, by the way, you’re expecting a baby soon?” Taylor asked.

Rozee offered a wry smile as he confirmed it’s “moving quickly” with his first child is due in nine or 10 weeks.

Taylor couldn’t resist digging a little deeper, asking if he knew the gender.

“It’s going to be a girl,” Rozee said.

“We’ve got a few girls at the club already so trying to get some tips.”

The impending arrival comes with Rozee living with his in-laws while his dad leads a renovation of the footballer’s house.

“There’s been a fair bit going on in the off-season but pretty excited for the future,” he said.

Hardly missing a beat, Taylor moved over to quiz Rozee’s dad Rob, who confirmed he’s pitching in as a “second-grade handyman”.

Rozee’s big year off the field began in October when he proposed to Maisie and continued in December when he was appointed captain, signed an eight-year contract extension and announced the pregnancy.

“He’s just got a lot on his plate at the moment, he’s just handling it with absolute aplomb,” Rob said.

“He’s been fantastic.”

Rozee dazzled with 36 disposals, five clearances and — most importantly — three goals when the game was on the line early.

Midfield partner Jason Horne-Francis was just as impressive in his return from a hamstring injury, tallying 31 possessions and 10 clearances.

Zak Butters (26 disposals, five clearances) and milestone man Dan Houston, who had 22 touches in his 150th game, also had influence while forwards Willie Rioli, Jeremy Finlayson and Darcy Byrne-Jones kicked three goals each.

Mitch Georgiades added 2.2 on his return from a year out with a knee injury.

The only concern was a back injury to Travis Boak that forced the veteran out of the game at half-time.

Essendon captain Zach Merrett worked his socks off for 36 disposals and seven clearances while former Port player Xavier Duursma had 26 touches and Jade Gresham kicked three goals.

The Bombers lost Archie Perkins to a hamstring injury and managed just six scoring shots after quarter-time.

Their defensive woes returned as they coughed up a second triple-figure score from four games this season.

It was Essendon’s eighth consecutive defeat to Port Adelaide in a barren run that dates back to 2018.

It was tight early as Gresham kicked Essendon’s first two majors and Jake Stringer bombed another from 50 metres, while Rozee smothered Darcy Parish and snapped truly as the two sides traded blows.

Georgiades marked his return with a long set shot and Port’s efficiency – four goals from just 11 forward entries – made for a narrow 4.0 to 3.3 lead at quarter-time.

The home side added another six goals to Essendon’s one in a dominant second term – two of those to the brilliant Rozee – as the lead swelled to 35 points by halftime.

The skipper had tallied three goals from 20 disposals to that point.

The Bombers’ flat second quarter was summed up when Sam Draper, Nik Cox and Stringer all hesitated under a high ball, allowing Finlayson to snap a goal on the halftime siren.

Rozee was flattened by an Andrew McGrath shirt-front in the third term but bounced straight up.

The Bombers went scoreless for more than 40 minutes of playing time before Gresham’s third major finally broke the drought.

Finlayson responded within seconds, adding his own third goal of the night, as the Power cruised to a resounding victory.

Port are at home again in round five against unbeaten Fremantle (3-0), while Essendon take on Marvel Stadium co-tenants the Western Bulldogs.

– with AAP