Matt Rowell, the Gold Coast Suns midfielder, has recently discussed his future amidst increasing speculation about his potential move to a Victorian club, as he enters the final year of his current contract. Rowell, a former No.1 draft pick, has emerged as one of the most highly sought-after players heading into the 2025 AFL season, attracting significant attention from several Victorian clubs, including the Collingwood Magpies. The Magpies have been active during the trade period, acquiring players such as Daniel Houston from Port Adelaide, Harry Perryman from GWS Giants, and Tim Membrey from St Kilda, further fueling rumors linking Rowell to the club.
The connection between Rowell and Collingwood stems from his close friendship with Magpies star Nick Daicos. The two played together for their school, winning the APS Championship in 2018 alongside fellow Suns player Noah Anderson. Their bond has led to speculation that Rowell could be tempted to return to his home state of Victoria and reunite with Daicos at Collingwood. In fact, just a few months ago, the Daicos brothers played a key role in recruiting Daniel Houston to Collingwood, as they had previously played junior football with him at Greythorn.
Rowell’s uncertain future has placed him in the spotlight alongside other high-profile players whose contracts are also set to expire in the coming seasons. Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw, Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, Carlton’s Tom De Koning, and West Coast’s Oscar Allen are all players who, like Rowell, are expected to draw significant interest in the near future. As Rowell enters the final season of his contract with the Suns, many are eagerly watching to see whether he will make the decision to return to Victoria.
When questioned about the possibility of moving back to his home state, Rowell appeared content with his current situation on the Gold Coast. “Not at this point, I don’t think. I’m happy here at the moment,” Rowell said in an interview with Code Sports. He went on to explain why he enjoys living on the Gold Coast, noting that the region offers a great lifestyle, particularly for athletes. “It’s a good place to live, especially for an athlete, in terms of the weather. It’s pretty hot in the summer, so you get pretty fit through that. Then the winters here are even better—sunny and not much rain. You’re getting up early because the sun’s up, so you’re getting into a good routine,” Rowell explained.
Rowell also highlighted the benefits of the beach and the overall environment of the Gold Coast. For someone with an athletic lifestyle, he believes the location is ideal, offering both physical and mental benefits. “You’ve got the beach, for an athlete it’s a good place to live and I enjoy it,” he added. Rowell’s decision to put off contract talks until early next year indicates that he is still weighing his options, but for now, he seems settled in his current surroundings.
During the 2024 AFL season, Rowell was one of the Suns’ standout players in the midfield, averaging 23.4 disposals, 7.1 total clearances, and an impressive 8 tackles per match. This level of performance has solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top young midfielders, and he is expected to continue playing a pivotal role for Gold Coast moving forward. After facing a tough start to his career, where he was sidelined for much of his first two seasons due to knee and shoulder injuries, Rowell has managed to stay injury-free since 2021 and is aiming to continue that streak heading into 2025.
Rowell’s commitment to staying fit and healthy has been a key part of his development as a player. Reflecting on his journey, he noted that his primary goal is to play every game each season. “I want to be able to play every game every year,” Rowell stated. “I feel like that’s made me work out how to get through a full year of footy.” He acknowledged that his playing style, which involves a highly contested brand of football, can sometimes leave him feeling sore, but he has learned how to manage his body to ensure he stays on the park. “It can get a bit sore at times, just because of the way I play—it’s a pretty contested style. But as each year goes past, you get to know your body more and how to recover after games and through full seasons,” Rowell explained.
A crucial part of Rowell’s ability to stay fit and perform at a high level is his emphasis on recovery. He pointed out that understanding how to take care of his body and ensuring he is physically ready for the demands of AFL football has been key to his success. “I think every year, I’m just getting better at being able to do that. It’s a lot of emphasis on recovery throughout the year and making sure you’re ready to go again for the next week,” he said.
Rowell also noted that physical recovery alone isn’t enough to sustain peak performance throughout a long season. Mental preparation plays an equally important role in maintaining focus and motivation. “I think a lot of what I’ve learnt, especially recently, is you can do all the right things with your body and getting it right, but you’ve also got to make sure you spend a bit of time getting mentally prepared as well. If you don’t have that, then it won’t work,” Rowell reflected. To enhance his mental preparedness, Rowell has incorporated practices such as journaling and mindfulness into his routine. These activities have provided him with additional tools to manage the psychological demands of being an AFL player, contributing to his overall well-being.
In summary, Matt Rowell is entering a pivotal stage in his career as he approaches the final year of his contract with the Gold Coast Suns. While he has been linked to a number of Victorian clubs, including Collingwood, Rowell has expressed contentment with his current life on the Gold Coast, citing the region’s favorable climate and the benefits it offers to athletes. His continued success on the field, coupled with his improved physical and mental preparation, suggests that Rowell is on track for another strong season in 2025. Whether or not he remains with the Suns beyond next year is yet to be seen, but for now, he is focused on continuing his development and playing at the highest level.
