Matthew Rowell believes 2019 has been the toughest year of his career as he prepares for his first AFL season with the Suns
Matthew Rowell’s first foray into football was walking to his local oval on Saturday mornings with his dad for weekly Auskick sessions.
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MATTHEW Rowell’s first foray into football was walking to his local oval on Saturday mornings with his dad for weekly Auskick sessions.
The two would kick a footy back and forth the whole way, Rowell unable to wait the short stroll, instead taking the chance to further his football education on the journey.
“Ever since I started playing footy, I wanted to be a professional footballer,” the now 18-year-old said.
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“I loved it and immediately thought ‘how cool would it be to do this for a living.
“It clicked for me in under 8’s because I loved it and knew it was I what I wanted to do.”
From humble beginnings, Rowell went on to become just the 38th man in AFL history to have his name read out at pick one of the draft.
It was the culmination of years of hard work, desire and hope as he stepped up onto the stage and was presented his playing jumper by current Suns Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine.
Though relived to finally receive confirmation he’d be fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing AFL, Rowell said the past year had been the most challenging of his career so far.
“I’ve been trying to find the right balance but it’s really difficult,” he said.
“With all the media and juggling footy with school and trying to get an education and fitting in social life as well.
“The whole year has been footy, school, family and trying to fit it all in and stay sane.”
Now after writing his name into the history books as the Suns second number one draft pick, Rowell is determined to have an impact at the highest level.
“My next goal is having a really strong pre-season and getting a solid body of work under my belt so I can really attack the season,” he said.
“I want to have a good pre-season and hopefully put my name forward as a round one contender.”
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