Matt Rowell “thinks” he’ll re-sign for Gold Coast but is in no rush, insisting talks with rival AFL clubs aren’t a distraction as the Suns attempt to become a “serious” team.
The 2019 No.1 draft pick is hot property entering the final year of his contract at Carrara, where the Suns are predictably optimistic they will make the top eight for the first time since entering the league in 2011.
Contested bull Rowell has been central to those plans since his eye-catching rookie season and understandably now on the radar of rival clubs with his contract due to expire.
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The 23-year met with Geelong, Collingwood and Essendon in the off-season but reckons it isn’t front of mind ahead of the Suns’ opening-round clash with Essendon on March 8.
“I am not worrying about that at the moment,” Rowell said on Monday.
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“I am focusing on training well and getting ready for the season. I am committed to the Suns and focused on the season coming up.”
Does that mean a contract extension is on the cards?
“I think so. Obviously that will just happen when we get to it, but I am just worried about the season coming up,” he said.
The Suns finished 13th last season, two wins behind eighth.
With no timeline put on his decision, Rowell suggested improving on their 11-12 2024 record would factor heavily.
“We want to have success this year, we want to make finals,” he said.
“We want to be a serious footy team and I think when you come up against us, you know it’s going to be a tough battle.”
Rowell has been elevated to the leadership group despite his uncertain footing at the club, with good mate Noah Anderson, drafted at No.2 in 2019, the new skipper.
“It’s a really special relationship me and Noah have,” he said, adding that he has been keen to expand his own leadership capacity this season after a heart-to-heart with coach Damien Hardwick.
“I’m excited to get behind him,” Rowell said of Anderson.
Matthew Rowell of the Suns celebrates a goal (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )
“I think he can be a great captain for this footy club.”
Wil Powell was also promoted to the leadership group while midfielder Anderson has taken over the leadership from Touk Miller, who will serve as vice-captain with defender Sam Collins, and long-time co-captain Jarrod Witts.
“He’s just an infectious character; someone you always want to be around,” Powell said of Rowell.
“The way he trains and plays … (he’s) probably our most combative player.
“Blokes naturally look up to that sort of player and he’s got a really good footy brain.
“Sees the game so well and speaks his mind.”
Jack Lukosius, another of Rowell’s good mates, left for Port Adelaide in the offseason but the Suns have welcomed backline pair Daniel Rioli and John Noble from Richmond and Collingwood respectively.
Rioli was hopeful of returning to full training after a knee injury suffered late last year while Noble, alongside draftee Leo Lombard, was among the most impressive in their intra-club fixture last week.
© AAP