Emerging Gold Coast star Matt Rowell has recommitted to the Suns beyond the 2023 season in what is a significant retention boost for the Queensland club.
Rowell, the No.1 draft pick from 2019, is developing into one of the AFL's most promising midfielders despite enduring a run of injuries early into his career.
After playing 17 matches in the past two years, Rowell featured in all 22 games in 2022 to rank fourth in the AFL for tackles per game, while also averaging 18.55 disposals and 6.00 clearances per game.
Following a stellar third season in the AFL, the 21-year-old has recommitted to the club a year prior to his contract's expiry. Rowell has re-signed with the Suns until the end of the 2025 season.
“I really love the footy club and think we're moving in a really good direction. I'm really confident in the group we have that we're just going to get better,” Rowell said
“The group has put a lot of hard work in, and I've signed the contract because I know we've gone through that tough bit and now we're seeing some improvement
“The end goal, which really drives us as a footy club, is to win that first premiership for the Gold Coast SUNS, which would be awesome
“There's a lot of hard work to go before that, but that's our journey and we're going to keep working hard in the meantime.”
Rowell's retention follows a stellar year of re-signings at the Suns, with the likes of Ben King, Jack Lukosius, Ben Ainsworth, Mac Andrew, Lachie Weller and Elijah Hollands among those to have signed on the dotted line.
The Suns will now turn their attention to securing the services of 2019 No.2 pick and Rowell's close mate Noah Anderson beyond 2023.
Anderson is off-contract next year and is sure to be of great interest to rival clubs, having emerged as a key pillar in Stuart Dew's midfield group.
Alex Davies, Brayden Fiorini, Sam Flanders, Jeremy Sharp and Alex Sexton are also off-contract in 2023.
