Jake Rogers (footballer)

Rogers was born in Melbourne to an Australian father and a South African mother.^[3] He moved with his family to the Gold Coast at five years of age^[4] and attended Varsity College throughout his upbringing.^[5] He grew up supporting Collingwood^[6]. Rogers began playing junior football for the first time shortly after arriving in Queensland when he signed up to play for the Broadbeach Cats in the local Gold Coast under-6s competition.^[7] Rogers became a foundation member of the Gold Coast Suns when they entered the Australian Football League in 2011^[8] and he joined the club's Academy at 13 years of age where he met future AFL teammates Jed Walter, Ethan Read and Will Graham.^[9]

Along with Australian rules football, Rogers also played rugby league for his school in the position of fullback.^[10] He made his senior QAFL debut for Broadbeach at 16 years of age in May 2021.^[11] In 2022, his club form was rewarded with selection to represent the Allies in the U18 National Championships as well as the Gold Coast Suns Academy in the U19 Talent League.^[12] His performances at the representative and club levels led to placement in the AFL's 30-player National Academy program on the eve of his draft year.^[13]

In 2023, he moved into top 20 draft calculations when he was awarded the best on ground award in the AFL U18 Academy's victory over Carlton's VFL team^[14] and also played in the Allies' first U18 National Championship win, which earned him a starting midfield position in the 2023 U18 All-Australian team.^[15] Rogers was drafted to his hometown team the Gold Coast Suns with pick 14 in the 2023 AFL draft after the Suns elected to match a bid from the Sydney Swans.^[16]

Rogers made his AFL debut for the Suns in round 6 of the 2024 season against the Sydney Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground.^[17]