AFL round 4: Gold Coast Suns prodigy Matt Rowell stars once again in victory over Fremantle Dockers
AFL fans are in awe of the Gold Coast Suns prodigy, and 18-year-old Matt Rowell has once again proven why he is the real deal.
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The Gold Coast Suns were the laughing stock of the AFL last year, winning only three matches in the 2019 season.
Suns supporters breathed a sigh of relief when they trumped the West Coast Eagles in round two, ending a dire 426-day spell between victories.
But two weeks later, Gold Coast sits in second spot on the AFL ladder having won three-consecutive matches.
Playing in only his AFL fourth match, Gold Coast prodigy Matt Rowell once again proved why he is the real deal during the Suns’ 10.4 (64) to 8.3 (51) victory over the Fremantle Dockers.
Last year’s No. 1 draft pick has sent shockwaves through the AFL this season, and it didn’t take long for Rowell to set the tone at Metricon Stadium in front of more than 5000 screaming fans.
Ten seconds after the first bounce during Saturday’s clash against Fremantle, Rowell burst through Dockers captain Nat Fyfe’s opening tackle with total ease. The three-time All-Australian found himself sprawled on the turf, while Rowell booted the ball towards the Suns’ full forwards.
Rowell brushed off Fyfe like it was nothing 😳
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 27, 2020
(via @brayden_cocks)
pic.twitter.com/fY85kzPI6E
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“I think Nat Fyfe just realised that Matt Rowell’s got a little bit of core strength as well as he broke that initial tackle,” Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy commentary.
But the best was yet to come for the 18-year-old.
After conceding a two-goal deficit early in the second quarter, the Suns bounced back, scoring the next five goals. The fifth came from Rowell’s left boot, a perfectly-executed banana kick with his non-preferred foot from 30 metres out. It was his third-consecutive goal on his weak foot in the AFL.
“He’s a right-footer for those that don’t know,” former St Kilda star Nick Dal Santo said on Fox Footy.
“We saw last week, he bombed one from 55 on his non-preferred. We’ve seen snaps on the non-preferred last week, and he just back it up.
“This is not a fluke. This is a man that puts himself in the right position at all times, and gives himself an opportunity to get the football in great positions.”
Commentator Mark Howard agreed: “The AFL are starting to take notice of this team.”
Matt Rowell is must-watch every week! #AFLSunsFreo pic.twitter.com/5TplUgnatP
— AFL (@AFL) June 27, 2020
Everyone: So Rowell, do you want to rising star or the Brownlow in your first year?
— Peter Hooley (@PeterHooley12) June 27, 2020
Rowell: Yes#aflsunsfreo
Can we please sign Rowell for the next 15 years?? 🟡🔴🟡🔴 https://t.co/KpxhQiJYRB
— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) June 27, 2020
This kid is an absolute GUN #rowell #aflsunsfreo
— Jason Gram (@gramsy_1) June 27, 2020
It’s like Matt Rowell has been playing AFL for years ... great left foot snap there. 🙌🻠#AFLSunsFreo
— Nat Edwards (@Nat_Edwards) June 27, 2020
Neither team kicked a behind in the opening half, the first time in VFL/AFL history that has occurred.
Gold Coast held a narrow lead at halftime, but as the players made their way towards the sheds, a wild melee erupted between the two sides. The tussle lasted well over a minute, and resulted in plenty of tattered shirts, most notably Matthew Taberner.
One of the umpires cried over the commotion: “How many dollars do you want to lose guys?”
Mark Howard bellowed from the commentary box: “There’s pushing, there’s shoving … jumpers are being ripped, players are on the ground.
“Players are coming from everywhere, it’s fines galore … the AFL is just going ching, ching, ching.
“You rarely see this in the modern game.”
Welcome to the big league Caleb 😬 #AFLSunsFreo #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/pTJhfAxLU8
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) June 27, 2020
I don’t encourage melees, but geez it’s good to see the @freodockers boys standing up for each other! Feels like there’s a lotta passion in this group #AFLSunsFreo
— Poppy Penny (@PoppyPenny1) June 27, 2020
In a tightly-contested third quarter, the Suns were ahead by one point when Rowell slotted his second goal of the night, bursting through Fremantle’s defence.
But the hearts of Dockers fans sank when Fyfe was forced from the field with a right hamstring injury, ending his night.
“It’s always sad to see the best players in the game out sitting on the bench with what looks like a serious injury,” Lewis said.
“But as I said, he’s got an important part to play.”
Without their captain, the Dockers couldn’t overcome the in-form Suns who kicked two goals to none in the final term to notch their third straight win and move to second on the ladder.
The Dockers were unable to reduce the deficit, and are still searching for their maiden victory in the 2020 season.
Rowell finished with a match-high 20 disposals and five tackles to go with his two goals. Ben Ainsworth also had two goals for the hosts, including a crucial right-foot snap in the final term which secured the win.
Touk Miller and star recruit Brandon Ellis also picked up 20 disposals while Jarrod Witts made the most of the Dockers’ undermanned ruck division with 38 hitouts.
If the Adelaide Crows win their match against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, Fremantle will be the only AFL team yet to muster a victory in 2020.
It’s February 2020 and someone tells you the Suns will be 2nd on the ladder at the end of June after wining their 3rd straight game in front of the biggest AFL crowd this year, what do you do? #AFLSunsFreo
— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey) June 27, 2020
— With AAP
Originally published as AFL round 4: Gold Coast Suns prodigy Matt Rowell stars once again in victory over Fremantle Dockers