AFL news 2025: Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell gives telling one-word answer to trade query

Gold Coast star Matt Rowell has given the biggest indication yet as to where he will play his football next year in a simple one-word response.

In-demand Gold Coast midfielder Matt Rowell has given the biggest indication yet that he will turn his back on a big-money move home to Victoria and remain with the Suns beyond the end of 2025.

Rowell, 23, is one of the highest profile names in the AFL that is off-contract at the end of this year and has already been linked to Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs after this masthead reported in November that the 2019 No.1 pick had pushed pause on contract talks with the Suns.

Last week Rowell broke his silence on the topic, telling assembled media at a community camp on the Gold Coast, “yeah, I think so” when quizzed on whether he expected to extend with the Suns.

Matt Rowell says he will stay a Sun next year. Picture: Getty Images

But on Monday, he sounded much more confident in what his decision would be.

Speaking to Triple M Gold Breakfast, the midfielder was asked by co-host and former AFL star Spida Everitt: “Will you be here in 2026?” To which Rowell replied simply, “yes”.

Everitt’s question, phrased in such a way that “here” meant the Gold Coast, left Rowell little wiggle room – and his one-word answer was the clearest sign yet that he plans to remain with the Suns.

It is understood Rowell has not yet given such a verbal commitment to the Suns, however the club has long been confident its star on-baller will remain on the Glitter Strip beyond this season.

Last week, Gold Coast vice-captain Sam Collins turned his back on a potential free agency move to sign a three-year contract extension with the club.

It continued a recent strong track record of star retention, with the likes of Ben King, Noah Anderson, Touk Miller, Sam Flanders and Mac Andrew all staying loyal to the Suns amidst rival interest.

But the club is yet to play finals football in its 14 seasons in the AFL and on-field success looms as the key sticking point for Rowell in making a decision about his future.

“We just want to have success this year,” Rowell said last week.

“We want to make finals, we want to be a serious footy team … when you come up against us, you know it’s going to be a tough battle.”

The Suns begin their season at home to Essendon on March 8.

Their first six games are against teams that did not make the top eight last year including bottom four sides West Coast, North Melbourne and Richmond.

Originally published as AFL news 2025: Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell gives telling one-word answer to trade query