Connor Rozee asked Brian Taylor a surprising personal question ...

AFL players have come to expect the unexpected when Brian Taylor puts them on point in the rooms after a big win in prime time.

But when you dominated like Connor Rozee did in Port Adelaide’s 69-point win over Essendon, you’d probably expect more than one question in footy.

But that was all the 24-year-old captain got before BT grilled him with several personal questions.

Stream analysis, local football match and the biggest moments for free on 7plus

“Congratulations, you’re expecting a baby soon by the way?” asked Taylor.

Rozee smiled wryly as he confirmed things were “moving quickly” with his first child due in nine or 10 weeks.

Taylor couldn’t resist digging a little deeper and asking if he knew the gender.

“It’s going to be a girl,” Rozee said.

“We already have a few girls in the club and we’re trying to get some tips.”

The impending arrival comes with Rozee living with his in-laws while his father oversees the renovation of the footballer’s home.

“There’s been a lot going on in the offseason, but I’m pretty excited about the future,” he said.

Without pausing, Taylor went to Rozee’s father Rob, who confirmed that he was pitching in as a “second-class craftsman.”

Rozee’s big year off the field began in October when he proposed to Maisie and continued in December when he was named captain, signed an eight-year contract extension and announced the pregnancy.

“He’s just got a lot going on at the moment, he’s just handling it with absolute aplomb,” Rob said.

“He was fantastic.”

Rozee shined with 36 disposals, five clearances and – most importantly – three goals when the game was on the line early on.

Midfield partner Jason Horne-Francis was also impressive in his return from a hamstring injury, managing 31 possessions and 10 clearances.

Zak Butters (26 disposals, five clearances) and landmark player Dan Houston, who managed 22 touches in his 150th game, also had an impact, while strikers Willie Rioli, Jeremy Finlayson and Darcy Byrne-Jones scored three goals each.

Mitch Georgiades posted a 2.2 improvement in his return from a year out due to a knee injury.

The only concern was a back injury to Travis Boak, which forced the veteran out of the game at halftime.

Essendon captain Zach Merrett went all out with 36 disposals and seven clearances, while former Port player Xavier Duursma had 26 touches and Jade Gresham kicked three goals.

The Bombers lost Archie Perkins to a hamstring injury and managed just six shots on goal after quartertime.

Their defensive woes returned as they reached triple-digit points for the second time in four games this season.

It was Essendon’s eighth consecutive loss to Port Adelaide in a fruitless run dating back to 2018.

It was close early on as Gresham kicked Essendon’s first two majors and Jake Stringer bombed another from 50 yards, while Rozee suffocated Darcy Parish and really snapped as the two sides exchanged blows.

Georgiades marked his return with a long-range strike and Port’s efficiency – four goals from just 11 strikers – gave them a narrow lead of 4.0 to 3.3 at the quarter-hour mark.

The home side added a further six goals to Essendon’s tally in a dominant second period – two of them from the brilliant Rozee – and the lead grew to 35 points by half-time.

The captain had scored three goals from 20 disposals up to this point.

The Bombers’ flat second quarter was summed up when Sam Draper, Nik Cox and Stringer all hesitated under a high ball, allowing Finlayson to score on the half-time siren.

Rozee was weighed down on the front by an Andrew McGrath jersey in the third term but bounced straight up.

The Bombers remained scoreless for more than 40 minutes of play before Gresham’s third major finally ended the drought.

Finlayson responded within seconds and scored his own third goal of the night, giving the Power a resounding victory.

Port are at home again in the fifth round against unbeaten Fremantle (3-0), while Essendon face fellow Marvel Stadium tenants the Western Bulldogs.