Gold Coast young gun Matt Rowell is dreaming of a first premiership for the Suns after emerging through the “tough bit” to recommit to the club for another two years.
The star midfielder and No. 1 draft pick hailed the direction the club was heading after he signed a new deal to remain at the Suns until the end of 2025.
Rowell, who was taken with the top pick in the 2019 national draft, said he signed on after seeing the improvement the club had made since his arrival.
“I really love the footy club and think we’re moving in a really good direction. I’m really confident in the group we have that we’re just going to get better,” Rowell said
“The group has put a lot of hard work in, and I’ve signed the contract because I know we’ve gone through that tough bit and now we’re seeing some improvement
“The end goal, which really drives us as a footy club, is to win that first premiership for the Gold Coast Suns, which would be awesome.
“There’s a lot of hard work to go before that, but that’s our journey and we’re going to keep working hard in the meantime.”
It is a huge signature for the Suns, who rose to 12th on the ladder this year – from 16th in 2021 – with 10 wins for the season.
Having played 39 games across three seasons for the Suns, 21-year-old Rowell made an immediate impact at AFL level after making his debut before his 2020 and 2021 seasons were cruelled by knee and shoulder injuries.
But Rowell played every game for the Suns in season 2022, leading the club for tackles (158) and averaged an elite 7.2 tackles and six clearances a game.
Gold Coast general manager of player talent and strategy Craig Cameron said Rowell would be a key part of the Suns’ future.
“It’s fantastic for the club to have Matt locked in for the next two seasons and we are excited by what’s to come in his career,” Cameron said.
“Matt is an important part of our young core group of players, many of whom have committed their futures to the club in recent times.
“He has faced some hurdles early in his career, but we are excited to see him continue to play an important role for the team and help the club rise in 2023 and beyond.”
