Midfield bull turns his back on million-dollar contract offers to re-sign with Suns

Highly prized Gold Coast Suns midfielder Matt Rowell has turned down big offers from Victorian clubs and re-signed with the Suns for two years.

The former number No.1 draft pick told the Suns on Friday he had decided to remain on the Gold Coast and would commit to a new two-year deal, the details of which are still being finalised.

Matt Rowell had another busy day for the Suns as news emerged of his decision to sign on with the club for an additional two years.Credit: AFL Photos

So impressed was Rowell with the approaches by the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood that he personally rang coaches Craig McRae and Luke Beveridge to tell them of his decision to stay on the Gold Coast.

Essendon, Geelong and St Kilda had all also made serious pitches for Rowell to tempt him back to Victoria.

His decision to stay put was revealed by this masthead at half-time of the Suns’ match against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday. They led by 13 points at that stage, and extended that margin to 29 points later in the game before being overrun in the final term and losing by seven points, 16.10 (106) to 14.15 (99).

One of the best inside midfielders and clearance players in the game, Rowell could have effectively signed his own terms at those Victorian clubs should he have been prepared to return to his home state, with all suitors offering seven figure sums per year on long-term deals.

Rowell in action against GWS on Sunday.Credit: via Getty Images

The decision by Rowell to remain with the Suns is a significant a boost for the club as an endorsement of their direction as they vie to play finals this year for the first time.

Conversely, it would have been enormously damaging had such a senior and important player decided to leave just 18 months into the Damien Hardwick era.

Although Rowell was among the Gold Coast’s best on Sunday with 34 possessions, the loss to fellow finals contender GWS was a blow to their finals hopes, with the Western Bulldogs poised to defeat Richmond and topple them out of the top eight by the end of round 15.

Rowell had a good relationship with his former coach Stuart Dew, and it took some time for him to fully connect with Hardwick, but has hit his best form this season under the three-time Richmond premiership coach.

Jake Stringer made an impact on his return for GWS.Credit: via Getty Images

Rowell was disappointed last year when his close friend Jack Lukosius was traded to Port Adelaide, but he remains tight with other Suns players, including Ben King and captain Noah Anderson.

Anderson and Rowell went to Carey Grammar together and were teammates at junior, school, club and representative level.

The tight connection between Suns players was evident during their bye last week when the players were given freedom to go away for the break. Rowell and other Suns players spent the week together at Byron Bay.

Despite the bittersweet day on Sunday, the Suns remain a strong chance of making their first finals series. Although now outside the eight, they have played one less game than most teams, and two fewer than some in the eight because their cyclone-delayed opening round clash with Essendon is yet to be played.

Substitute Jake Stringer was the hero for the Giants, kicking two last-quarter goals, including the match-winner, in a memorable return for his new club after a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since round nine.

Trailing by 22 points at three-quarter-time, the Giants opened the fourth quarter with four-straight goals to mount their comeback before the lead changed multiple times in the closing minutes.

Suns captain Noah Anderson orchestrated their early dominance, and finished with a game-high 15 score involvements from 42 disposals and seven clearances. He was well supported by Touk Miller (37 disposals, seven clearances, two goals) and Rowell.

Tom Green led the way for the Giants with 30 disposals and 16 clearances, while Lachie Ash had 33 touches. Ash was without his defensive partner Lachie Whitfield, who suffered a concussion in the first quarter while attempting to salvage a misdirected kick from teammate Toby Bedford and colliding, side-on, with Suns forward Ben King.

With AAP

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