Return Home For Refreshed RothamThursday, April 10, 2025 - 10:11 AM

Former West Coast Eagle Josh Rotham is rediscovering his enjoyment of the game as he prepares to begin the next stage of his career.

Rotham has joined West Perth after spending eight years with the Eagles, playing  72 games following his selection in the 2016 Draft.

“I’m loving it, although it has been a bit of a different build into pre-season for me,” Rotham said.

“I still feel like I’ve got a lot of good football in me and being back at where it all started with some mates has been fun.”

Rotham is back in familiar surroundings having played for Whitfords Junior Football Club before being picked up by the Falcons and developed through their junior system.

The 27 year-old missed last weekend’s big win over Swan Districts with a foot injury and is targeting a return for West Perth in the Round 3 match against Subiaco.

Playing alongside his brother Sam was also an attraction in joining the Joondalup based club.

“It definitely has been something we’ve wanted to do for a long time, so to do it with Sam and some good mates of ours at the Falcons is great,” he said.”

“It ended up being a pretty easy decision for me to head back there.”

Premiers in 2022 in a famous victory at their spiritual home in Leederville, the following two years produced a rapid decline with the Falcons missing the top five on consecutive seasons.

“Finals are definitely on the radar and I am really confident in what our best looks like and the growth I’ve seen since I arrived at the club,” Rotham declared.

A defender throughout his AFL career, Rotham doesn’t expect that to change under Jason Selecic.

“Down back is where I am most comfortable but if the team needed it I’d love to have a crack in attack, making sure I don’t get in the way of Tyler Keitel!”

As for an AFL lifeline in the mid-season Draft, Rotham is philosophical.

“I finish up proud of what I achieved,” he said.

“Is the door shut I’m not too sure, but my priority now is West Perth and winning as many games as possible.

“It’s been nice to find a bit more love for the game again and hopefully that will reflect in my form.”