Former Eagle Josh Rotham has signed on with West Perth for the 2025 WAFL season after being delisted by the West Coast Eagles.
Rotham is no stranger to Perth’s northern suburbs, playing for Whitfords Junior before being picked up by West Perth and developed through their junior pathways.
The 26-year old will reunite with West Perth after eight years in the AFL system after West Coast took him with pick 37 in the 2016 AFL National Draft.
The medium defender did have genuine interest from Victorian club Essendon extend his AFL lifeline, however, those talks did not progress any further.
While Rotham’s AFL hopes have not diminished yet, his priority is to start enjoying footy again at West Perth and see how it unfolds from there.
“Right now, my first thought is getting back straight back in. I think I want to get back to West Perth and really enjoy my footy again because when I’m enjoying it, that’s when I play my best footy,” he told SportFM.
“I think if I can do that, get to mid-season and the fire’s burning again and I’m putting some good form together, I’ll definitely be putting my hand up.
“I wouldn’t say right now getting straight back in is my priority. I just want to go and help West Perth everywhere I can in their preseason and then I think it kind of happens organically from there. So that’ll be my focus.”
Rotham played 72 games for West Coast after making his debut against Collingwood in Round 3 of the 2019 season.
The following year, he was the recipient of West Coast’s Emerging Talent award and controversially won the Grand Final Sprint in 2021.
During that period he forced himself into the back six, and played a crucial role supporting West Coast’s twin towers Jeremy McGovern and the recently departed Tom Barrass, before falling victim to the club’s injury struggles and losing his form in recent years.
Rotham admits while he isn’t fully satisfied, he has no regrets about his time at AFL level.
“I can walk away knowing that I gave it everything which I’m quite proud of. I had some really good mentors early on, seen my mates in the flag in 2018,” he said.
“It probably took me longer to get my opportunity than most boys being in such an elite team at the time but I’m thankful for that. I had some really good guys for the learn off so I was ready to go when my opportunity came, I think it was 2019 then, which was my third year but I don’t really have any regrets.
“I made a few stuff ups along the way on and off field but they were all learning curves for me and I walk away proud and I’m pretty fortunate to play for the club I grew up supporting.
“I don’t walk away with regret, albeit probably not satisfied so I get the fire burning again and I always put my hand up again, I’m only 26 so I think I’ve got some good footy left in me.”
He, and older brother Sam Rotham are also set to share the field again at the Joondalup-based side.
The brothers’ paths also crossed at West Coast, although in different roles, with Josh playing, while Sam is still involved in their Community sector.
The eldest brother continued to play for West Perth while employed at West Coast, while Josh took the field for West Coast’s reserve side and East Perth in the WAFL while developing at the club.
“We’re really excited about it, I’ve probably always wanted to (play together),” said Rotham.
“I think I was playing Colts with him, but he blew out his ankle, so we couldn’t really play together before that draft.
“We’re northern suburbs people, West Perth people, so it’s going to be good for Dad. He likes to come and watch both if he can over the years, so he’ll be taking his deck chair out to Joondalup, which would be nice.
“It’s going to mean a lot to us, having a run around together and hopefully get some wins on the board and push deep into finals.”
IMAGE: AFL Photos