The Gold Coast SUNS have a Qscan Injury Update ahead of Friday night’s season opener against Geelong.
After recovering from an ACL injury that plagued his 2025 campaign, Charlie Ballard is expected to return to the field in Friday’s VFL practice match against Southport while small forward Jake Rogers is also available for selection once again after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in pre-season.
A timeline on the return to play for Brownlow Medal winner Matt Rowell remains to be confirmed, with the club expecting further clarity with follow-up specialist appointments later this week.
“Matt underwent surgery on his finger after sustaining a fracture in the AFL Origin match,” GC SUNS Head Physiotherapist Andrew Weller said.
“He will be unavailable at least until following our bye in Round 3, and we’ll be able to provide a clearer timeline on his return to play timeline after follow-up appointments."
StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduate Beau Addinsall is also now unavailable in the medium-term as he continues to progress in his recovery from a hamstring strain suffered throughout pre-season.
Injury List
| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
10. Charlie Ballard |
Knee |
Probable
Ballard sustained a ruptured ACL injury in the Round 1 match against West Coast in 2025. |
|
29. Jake Rogers |
Hamstring |
Probable
Jake Rogers has sustained a hamstring injury. |
|
37. Max Knobel |
Ankle |
Short-term
Max Knobel has sustained an ankle injury. |
|
12. Elliott Himmelberg |
Knee |
Long-term
Elliott Himmelberg has sustained an ACL injury. |
|
35. Jai Murray |
Leg | Long-term |
|
38. Beau Addinsall |
Hamstring | Medium-term |
|
18. Matt Rowell |
Finger | TBC |
10. Charlie Ballard
Ballard sustained a ruptured ACL injury in the Round 1 match against West Coast in 2025.
29. Jake Rogers
Jake Rogers has sustained a hamstring injury.
37. Max Knobel
Max Knobel has sustained an ankle injury.
12. Elliott Himmelberg
Elliott Himmelberg has sustained an ACL injury.
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