When Matt Rowell became an unfortunate victim of the scourge that was AFL Origin injuries, his AFL club incorrectly assumed that the fracture to his left ring finger would be run of the mill in nature.
Speaking to 3AW ahead of Sunday's clash with the Melbourne Demons, Suns footy boss Craig Cameron said as much.
"He broke it fairly significantly. He's got a number of screws in there," Cameron said.
"Initially, we thought it was a simple fracture, but there was far more damage than first thought."
The reigning Brownlow Medallist made his return to the AFL field in the clash with Melbourne, sporting a splint and a glove on his affected left hand. Cameron offered that the decision to return was left in Rowell's hands (pardon the pun), determined by how comfortable he felt in the supportive gear.
In 77% game time, Rowell registered 13 disposals and four clearances, on a dirty day for the fancied Suns, who ultimately lost to the upstart Demons by 20 points.
The Suns' performance inspired an animated press conference from coach Damien Hardwick, who did not mince his words when discussing his midfield's poor play.
"At the end of the day, I just thought we got beaten around contest. I thought they were harder and tougher than us," Hardwick said after the game.
"I thought our midfield had their colours... We were -23 in contested possessions, -9 in clearances, they kicked eight goals from stoppage, our pre-clearance pressure was 2.2 which is just laughable.
"Our midfield is better than that, we know that and everyone knows that. We just didn't have the desired result today. We had too many players down that normally bounce.
"Every now and then, this game will give you a wake-up call and a kick right in the nuts. Today, that was it for us."
Hardwick did go on to acknowledge the Suns opponent, the Demons, while warning the rest of the competition not to be fooled by the fabled club's poor 2025.
"I think people underestimate that side," he said.
"They've got a great blend of experience, and they've also got a smattering of youth.
"Once again, we look at narratives, and people look at the ladder last year. The ladder last year is worth sh*t, to be perfectly honest. We take them for what they are," Hardwick said, clearly bothered by the result.
The Suns, and Rowell, face Sydney at Gather Round, in a game that presents as an opportunity to right the wrongs of their season's first blemish.
