Qscan Injury Update: Matt Rowell

Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Matt Rowell will be sidelined for the beginning of the 2026 AFL season with a finger injury sustained in Saturday night’s AFL Origin.

Rowell was sent for scans following Saturday’s match in Perth with scans revealing the 24-year-old will require surgery.

“Scans have shown a fracture in a finger on Matt’s left hand. After consulting with specialists this morning, the decision was made for Matt to undergo surgery this week,” GC SUNS Head Physiotherapist Andrew Weller said.

“A timeframe around his return to play will be determined following the operation.”

Small forward Jake Rogers and ruck Max Knobel will also be unavailable for the beginning of the season after suffering hamstring and ankle injuries respectively in training.

“Jake has suffered a moderate hamstring strain which will see him unavailable for the two pre-season matches,” Weller said.

“Scans on Max’s ankle has confirmed a high-grade lateral ligament ankle injury which will also keep him sidelined in the medium term.”

Key defender Charlie Ballard continues to progress in his recovery from an ACL injury with an eye on being available for selection early in the 2026 season.

Player	Injury	Estimated Return
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Niamh McLaughlin of the Suns competes during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Niamh McLaughlin of the Suns competes during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Darcie Davies of the Suns and Alexandra Anderson of the Lions compete for the ball during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Darcie Davies of the Suns and Alexandra Anderson of the Lions compete for the ball during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns celebrates with team mates after kicking a goal during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns celebrates with Dekota Baron after kicking a goal during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns kicks the ball under pressure during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns celebrates with Lily Quigley after kicking a goal during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns celebrates after kicking a goal during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns smile after her team's victory during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Anne Hatchard, Havana Harris, Lily Quigley and Georja Davies of the Suns smile after their victory during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns smile after her team's victory during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Charlie Rowbottom of the Suns is congratulated by team mates after receiving the Player of the Match medal during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Charlie Rowbottom of the Suns is congratulated by team mates after receiving the Player of the Match medal during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns competes during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Daisy D'Arcy of the Suns handballs under pressure during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Lily Postlethwaite of the Lions is tackled by Mikayla Nurse of the Suns during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
AFLW 2026 Round 08 - Brisbane v Gold Coast		IPSWICH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Havana Harris of the Suns competes during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 03, 2026, in Ipswich, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images via AFL Photos)