Malcolm Rosas facts for kids

Malcolm Rosas Jr. (born on June 27, 2001) is a talented professional Australian rules footballer. He plays as a forward for the Gold Coast Football Club in the top-level Australian Football League (AFL). Malcolm is known for his speed and skill on the field.

Growing Up in Darwin

Malcolm Rosas Jr. was born and grew up in Darwin, Northern Territory. His mother comes from Indigenous Australian families in the Northern Territory. These are the Ngalakgan and Rembarrnga people. His father has South Sea Islander heritage from Queensland.

A Family of Athletes

Malcolm comes from a family with a strong sports background. His grandfather, Bill Dempsey, is a very famous Australian rules football player. Bill Dempsey was added to the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2022. He is also in the WAFL and AFL Northern Territory Hall of Fame. In 2005, he was named in the Indigenous Team of the Century.

Choosing Australian Rules Football

When Malcolm was younger, he played many sports. He was good at Australian rules football, rugby league, and soccer. He played all these sports at a high level. But in his mid-teenage years, he decided to focus only on Australian rules football.

Playing for Local Teams

Malcolm played all his junior football for the Darwin Buffaloes club. This team is part of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL). In his last year of junior football in 2019, he signed to play senior football. He joined the Northern Territory Thunder team in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL).

Joining the Gold Coast Suns Academy

Malcolm was the very first player to join the Gold Coast Suns Academy program from their Darwin Academy. This program helps young players develop their skills. He signed a two-year deal with them, which lasted until 2021.

Malcolm's AFL Journey

In October 2019, Malcolm Rosas Jr. was officially chosen to play for the Gold Coast Suns. He was picked through their academy pre-selection access. This means the Suns had a special way to draft him because he was part of their academy.

Making His AFL Debut

Malcolm made his first appearance in an AFL game when he was 19 years old. This happened in Round 9 of the 2021 season. He played against the Brisbane Lions in a big game called QClash 20. The game took place at Metricon Stadium.

Career Highlights and Stats

Since joining the Gold Coast Suns, Malcolm has played many games. By the end of 2024, he had played 45 games and scored 45 goals for the club. He continues to be an important player for the team.