Gold Coast Suns star Matt Rowell to have shoulder surgery, miss 12 weeks

The Gold Coast Suns’ stellar start to the season has hit a hurdle with young star Matt Rowell set for an extended stint on the sidelines.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 04: Matthew Rowell of the Suns is seen with his arm in a sling during the three quarter time huddle during the round 5 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium on July 04, 2020 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The Gold Coast Suns and number one draft pick Matthew Rowell have been dealt a crushing blow following their promising start to the season.

Rowell went down in the opening quarter against Geelong when he attempted to break his fall in a tackle with his right arm.

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The impact saw his shoulder dislocate and the young star left in a brace after emerging from the change rooms.

After exploding onto the scene when the AFL season got back underway, the loss of Rowell will have a big impact on the rising Suns.

In a cautious approach for his potentially stellar career, the Suns have opted for the surgery route meaning Rowell will miss the next three months.

Matt Rowell to undergo shoulder surgery next week. Three months out at least for the gun Sun. Club takes long view but still a shame.

— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) July 7, 2020

Football operations manager Jon Haines confirmed the news to the club website.

“Matt met with a surgeon again today in Sydney and the outcome from that is he’ll undertake some surgery early next week,” Haines said.

“Matt met with a surgeon again today in Sydney and the outcome from that is he’ll undertake some surgery early next week,” Haines said.

“We wanted to make sure that Matt’s parents and Matt himself had really good input and a good understanding of the options available to them.

“Ultimately it was a decision that Matt had to make so we had to make sure that we laid all the evidence and all the research and all the information out for him and his family to consider and for them to make an informed opinion which they have.”

Rowell led the way for the Suns as they secured three straight wins once the season returned and saw him climb the Brownlow Medal betting leaderboards.

His dominance in the opening games has led many to question if he can still win the Rising Star award despite the fact he’ll miss the majority of the season.

For people that say Matthew Rowell can’t win the Rising Star:

Sam Walsh won it last year with 26 coaches votes.

Jaidyn Stephenson in 2018 won it with 7 coaches votes.

Rowell already has 30.

— Sam McClure (@sam_mcclure) July 7, 2020