ROWELL RETAINED
GOLD Coast has locked in gun young midfielder Matt Rowell for another two years. The Suns picked Rowell with the No.1 selection at last year’s AFL national draft and he has now chosen to re-sign until the end of 2023. Rowell is sidelined with a shoulder injury but he was at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night to watch Gold Coast play St Kilda.
GOLD Coast whiz-kid Matt Rowell will be with the Suns until at least 2023 after signing a two-year contract extension.
The No.1 draft pick started his career in scintillating fashion before dislocating a shoulder in Round 5 against Geelong. The injury required surgery.
Speaking to AFL.com.au, Rowell said he could not be happier with his first year at the Suns.
“The young group we’ve got, I can see if we keep improving and working hard, we can have some good success here,” Rowell said.
“We’re all dedicated and all the people at the club are dedicated to get success, that’s the main thing.”
Rowell, 19, took the competition by storm upon the season resumption in June, polling a maximum 10 votes in the AFL Coaches Association award in successive victories over West Coast, Adelaide and Fremantle.
“I was just loving playing footy,” he said. “I was happy with how I was playing, and the team was going well and whenever you’re winning you’re loving footy.”
Then the right shoulder injury came for the robust midfielder in the opening quarter against the Cats.
Rowell, who averaged 21 disposals and kicked six goals in his first four career games, will get out of his sling at the end of the week.
“It’s about getting the shoulder stronger,” he said.
“Eventually I’ll be able to start running and then it’s just about getting fitness back.
“In the meantime, I’m just setting up goals to get better, whether that’s in the gym or just how I can see the game differently.
“I’ve had a positive mindset since it’s happened.”
There is no time frame on Rowell’s return, although it’s almost certain he won’t play again in 2020.
The teenager is currently being used as an opposition analyst by Gold Coast and is on the bench on game days, delivering messages from the coach’s box to the players.