2025 Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell is set to miss the opening rounds of the season after scans revealed he broke his hand in Saturday's showpiece AFL Origin clash.
The 24-year-old finished the match on the bench, with scans upon his return to Queensland confirming the extent of the damage. His surgery is scheduled for later this week, with a clearer path back to senior selection to be forthcoming after the procedure.
The former first overall draft pick is already a certainty to miss the Suns' Opening Round clash with last year's grand finalists, Geelong.
“Scans have shown a fracture in Matt's left hand. After consulting with specialists, the decision was made for Matt to undergo surgery,” Suns Head Physiotherapist Andrew Weller said.
The Oakleigh Chargers product joins fellow Origin representatives Jacob Weitering, Sam Taylor, Callum Ah Chee and Mitch Georgiades as members of the casualty ward following the spirited contest in Perth.
Detractors from the concept warned of the heightened potential for injury in the lead up to the concept's long-awaited return, but Weitering has already put paid to this school of thought, expressing zero regrets for taking part in the match.
"Not at all, absolutely loved the week," he said on Sunday. "I would certainly do it again if I got the opportunity."
The delayed start to the year lengthens Rowell's odds to repeat as the league's best and fairest player, and leaves coach Damien Hardwick reassessing his on-ball brigade, having already bid farewell to ball magnet Sam Flanders in the most recent player movement window.
Incoming Norm Smith Medallist Christian Petracca, as well as a raft of academy products, are in the frame to pick up the slack generated by Rowell's unfortunate absence.
The Suns also provided comment on injuries to fringe players Jake Rogers and Max Knobel after the pair sustained injuries of varying severity at training.
Rogers will miss the Suns' two pre-season clashes with St Kilda and Brisbane after a moderate hamstring strain, while ruckman Knobel suffered a high-grade lateral ligament ankle injury, which the club says will restrict him to the pine for the "medium term".
Elliott Himmelberg (knee), Jai Murray (bone stress) and Beau Addinsall (hamstring) have all been listed as long-term returns.
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