The Gold Coast SUNS have secured the services of Matt Rowell for a further two seasons with the midfielder committing until the end of 2025.
The bullish midfielder, who burst onto the AFL scene in 2020 and has quickly become a SUNS fan-favourite, is excited to have secured his future and achieve success at the SUNS.
The 21-year-old says there’s nowhere else he’d rather be than on the Gold Coast and at the SUNS.
“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.”
Rowell was taken by the SUNS with Pick 1 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft, immediately impressing at AFL level before both his 2020 and 2021 campaigns were cruelled through injury.
The hard-bodied midfielder played each of the SUNS’ 22 games in 2022, leading the SUNS for tackles (158) and earning a sixth-place finish in the Club Champion count.
Rowell is one a host of young SUNS players who have committed their futures to the club in 2022 alongside the likes of Jack Lukosius, Ben King, Elijah Hollands and Connor Budarick.
GC SUNS General Manager Player Talent and Strategy Craig Cameron says Rowell will continue to be a key figure for the club for years to come.
“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.”
Originally drafted from the Oakleigh Chargers, Rowell has played 39 AFL matches for the SUNS over three seasons.
