Gold Coast Suns midfielder Matthew Rowell says the start to his AFL career has been ‘weird’
He’s he AFL’s No.1 draft pick in the most unprecedented of times and Gold Coast Suns top dog Matthew Rowell tells Chris Cavanagh his new adventure in the coronavirus-affected big league has been “weird”.
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Gold Coast young gun Matthew Rowell has spoken of his “weird” first four months in the AFL and says he “couldn’t care less” if he plays his entire debut season in front of no crowds — as long as games are able to return.
The No. 1 draft pick last year, Rowell said he could never have imagined such a strange start to his AFL career, with the season suspended a day after his debut against Port Adelaide in front of an empty Metricon Stadium.
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The 18-year-old logged 19 disposals and four clearances in a 47-point loss to the Power.
“It’s been a lot to take in, to be honest,” Rowell told the Herald Sun when asked about the whirlwind start to his career.
“I never really expected my first season in the AFL to be like it has and for us to experience what we’re going through at the moment. It’s just all the unknown, really, and as footballers we are pretty structured sort of people. So to have everything thrown out of alignment is a bit of a shock to the system.”
Rowell moved up to the Gold Coast alongside best mate and No. 2 draft pick Noah Anderson after the draft last November and moved in with Suns chief executive Mark Evans and his wife Lynne.
But Rowell has since joined his parents back in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs while the season is on hold.
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“The food bill has gone up. That’s the only thing they’re unhappy about,” Rowell laughed.
“But they’re happy that I can be here.”
The Suns have kept in touch with Zoom video meetings and fitness staff and coaches have stayed in contact with Rowell, who has been a regular at his local park completing his training program.
However, he can’t wait to be back training and playing with his Gold Coast teammates and hopes that day will come sooner rather than later.
“To play Round 1 was obviously the dream and I loved it so I’m itching to get back out there because I know what it’s like and how much I enjoyed it in Round 1,” Rowell said.
“I just want more of it so it’s annoying having to wait so long for the next round but I can’t wait to get back into it if the season does unfold again this year.”
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Rowell said he was unfazed at the prospect of playing games all year in front of no crowds if that is what it took to complete the season.
“To be honest, I couldn’t care less,” he said.
“I just really want to get back out there, whether it’s zero people or 50,000 or whatever it is.
“If we do have to play in front of no crowds this year that would be fine with me because at least we’ll be playing footy.”