Matt Rowell

Rowell made his AFL debut against Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium in round 1 of the 2020 AFL season.[11] It was reported before round 2, on 10 June 2020 that he signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Suns until the end of 2023.[12] The following match, in just his second ever AFL game, Rowell was voted best on ground against one of the then-Premiership favourite teams, the West Coast Eagles, and was awarded the round 2 AFL Rising Star nomination for his 26-disposal, two-goal performance.[13] In round 3, Rowell produced another 20 disposals and two goals in Gold Coast's 53-point win over the Adelaide Crows in another best on ground performance.[14][15] Round 4 saw Rowell collect another 20 disposals and kick two goals against the Fremantle Dockers, in another best on ground performance.[15][16]

In the Suns' round 5 loss to Geelong, Rowell suffered a dislocated shoulder in the first quarter during a heavy tackle from Brandan Parfitt and took no further part in the game.[17] Rowell opted for surgery in order to repair his shoulder, a choice which caused him to be sidelined for three months.[18] The injury was likened to Gary Ablett Jr.'s 2014 injury of the same nature, and was deemed 'eerily similar' as almost six years to the day, Ablett also suffered a season-ending shoulder injury (to Brent Macaffer) during a tackle whilst playing for Gold Coast.[19][20] Both Rowell and Ablett were tackled by players wearing the number 3.[21][22] Ablett offered to be Rowell's mentor during his recovery as Ablett had experience with injury himself.[23]

Rowell’s performance in the early rounds of the year was widely considered extremely impressive, with commenters deeming him among the greatest first-year players.[24][25] Rowell was considered by Gavin Wanganeen at the time to be a potential contender for the Brownlow Medal.[26]

Rowell returned from injury in round 1 of the 2021 AFL season, playing against the West Coast Eagles at Perth Stadium, on Sunday 21 March 2021. Early in the first term, Rowell was forcefully tackled by Zac Langdon, landing heavily on his left knee. He limped to the bench and was assessed in the medical rooms, following which he was substituted out of the game and replaced by Nick Holman. He later emerged with a knee brace.[27]

Coach Stewart Dew provided an update before the start of the third quarter:

It’s not ‘serious’ serious, but it’s serious enough that it’ll keep him out, from what we can tell right now, for a few weeks ... But we don’t think it’s anything too major.

On 23 March 2021, it was reported that scans had confirmed "a partial tear of his posterior cruciate ligament" and would be unable to play for 10 to 12 weeks.[28]

On 20 April 2021, it was reported that Rowell was on track for a mid-season return in round 14 against the Port Adelaide Power at Carrara Stadium.[29]

On 10 June 2021, it was reported that Rowell would be selected to play against Fremantle in round 13. "He's ready, he's absolutely ready", Coach Dew said. "Physically his body is better prepared than what it was leading into round one." "We're just excited he can play a game of footy again and the most excited person is Rowelly himself, which is great to see, it just shows what footy means to him and it's good to see that spring in his step again."[30]

Rowell played out the rest of the season, however played injured and looked "noticeably out of sorts", averaging just 14.1 disposals in the 2021 season, well below his output before his 2020 injury.[31]

Following a "solid off-season",[32] Rowell returned in round one and produced a career best performance with 33 disposals (17 kicks and 16 handballs), 22 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, nine clearances and six tackles, in a 27 point win over the West Coast Eagles.[33][34] Rowell played all 22 home and away season games for the Gold Coast in 2022 at an average of 19 disposals. He signed a contract extension following the season, committing to the club through to the end of 2025 [35]