DOB: 16 April 2003
From: Claremont, selection #19, 2021 National Draft
Debut: Round 3, 2023 vs Sydney at MCG
Number: 21 (2022 list), 2 (2023-)
Honours:
2022 VFL premiership player
Rising Star - Round 12, 2023 vs Carlton
Goal of the Year nomination - Round 1A, 2024
Games: 41* (to end 2024)
Goals: 58*
Career statistics
| Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
| 25 | 0 | 16 | 60.97 |
Highly rated for his marking ability at either end of the ground, van Rooyen was Melbourne's first selection after playing in back-to-back to WAFL Colts Grand Finals for Claremont, and for his state. During 2021 he played five games of senior WAFL football for Claremont. van Rooyen spent 2022 developing with Casey Demons, missing on senior selection despite a string of impressive VFL performances. He was in the frame for a shock call-up for Melbourne's second final that year, but was overlooked, later playing in Casey's 2022 VFL premiership side.
Called up for his debut in early 2023, van Rooyen booted three majors on debut, and a goal in each of his first 12 games. In Round 8, 2023, van Rooyen was initially suspended for two games for striking after an attempted spoil caught his opponent high. The club challenged the verdict and lost, but the AFL's Appeal Board overturned the verdict. van Royoen nominated for the Rising Star award, but was dropped for the first time in the second half of the season, but returned in Round 18 and stayed in the side until being suspended for a week in the Qualifying Final.
van Rooyen had a consistent second season, often called on to play as the team's second ruckman due to a lack of full-time rucks to support Max Gawn.
| Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
| 2023 | 20 | 28 | 2 |
| 2024 | 23 | 30 | * |
Tribunal record
| Match | Charge | Sanction | |
| Round 8, 2023 | Striking | Not guilty (appealed) | |
| Qualifying Final 2023 | Striking | 1 match | |
| Round 4, 2024 | Striking | $2500 fine | |
| Round 23, 2024 | Striking | $3750 fine | |
Lists
Interstate recruits
Tribunal
WAFL
Links
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RookieMe.com profile
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