Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has spoken on out-of-contract star Matt Rowell's future after the Sun's midfielder held discussions with key Geelong figures.

Rowell reportedly met with Geelong list manager Andrew Mackie and coach Chris Scott in October, as the 23-year-old explores his free agency opportunities with his contract set to end after this season.

The pitch for Rowell was to join the Cats' successful side, one that has failed to miss the finals just three times in the last 20 years, and become Geelong's "next Joel Selwood" along with budding stars Max Holmes and Bailey Smith.

Soon thereafter, it was reported that Collingwood, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs have also expressed their interest in the young gun.

Rowell has been a star since his debut, polling maximum Brownlow votes in his first three matches. He has built his consistency over the last three seasons after injury-impacted 2020 and 2021 campaigns, playing all 68 possible games and increasing his disposal figures year-on-year.

Gold Coast have failed to make finals since their inaugural season 14 years ago, and another season falling short in 2024 has kept the league, and Rowell, waiting for the club to burst into the top eight.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: Matt Rowell of the Suns in action during the 2024 AFL Opening Round match between the Gold Coast SUNS and the Richmond Tigers at People First Stadium on March 09, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Speaking toย AFL.com.au,ย Hardwick said the Suns will have to reach uncharted territory to be worth Rowell's signature.

"It's not ideal when one of your best players is having a chat with an opposition, but that's part and parcel of the industry," Hardwick said.

"Matt's been an incredible player for our football club and hopefully will continue in the long-term.

"We've got to fulfil our end of the bargain. Matt's a winner, he wants to play in winning football sides, and we haven't been able to sustain that thus far.

"That's something we're looking to change."

Hardwick said that the club were not "naive" to the fact Rowell would speak with other clubs, as is now a normal part of the industry.

However, the three-time premiership coach is confident the star midfielder will put pen to paper sooner rather than later.

"It's part of AFL footy. It's not ideal, but people are speaking to our players, we're speaking to opposition players, we're not naive to that," Hardwick said.

"It's a big boy industry.

"We're confident Matt will stay. He's loved here by our players, our coaching staff and our fans.

"As a footy club we have to hold up our end of the bargain and win a lot of footy games because that's what he's here for, to win."

Gold Coast's first chance to lure Rowell with on-field performances will be in Opening Round, with a date set against Essendon on Saturday, March 8.