Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell has been compared to an NBA legend for his insatiable work ethic

Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell has been compared to an NBA legend for his insatiable work ethic.

Matt Rowell has been compared to Kobe Bryant for his work ethic. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell isn’t back in full training yet but he’s been a constant presence at the Suns as he rehabs his injured shoulder, working so hard he’s been compared to NBA great Kobe Bryant.

Rowell, the number one draft pick in 2019, set the AFL alight in the opening four rounds of 2020 before suffering the injury which also sent the Suns into a downward spiral.

The 19-year-old, a future Gold Coast captain, has been placed on light duties as the Suns’ first-to-fourth year players got their pre-season under way on Monday.

Rowell’s injury sent the Suns into a downward spiral. Picture. Phil Hillyard

He’s being kept away from any contact work until after Christmas but was part of the group that got their pre-season under way in humid conditions.

But while his training is limited, Rowell’s thirst for work isn’t, and his insatiable work ethic has drawn the big comparison from teammate Charlie Ballard.

“He’s built different … you saw in the first four games how good he is,” Ballard said.

“In rehab he’s worked really hard to get his shoulder back. It’s going to show on the field.

Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, who was tragically killed in January, was renowned for his hard work. Picture: Mark Ralston / AFP

“He’s got a bit of a hungry mentality. You look at a bloke like Kobe Bryant and I’d sort of compare him to that.

“He’s a workhorse and he’s been working really hard lately.”

Gold Coast won just two matches without Rowell and finished 14th in 2020.

Ballard, who signed a four-year contract extension last week, said the Suns wanted to make a stand in 2021.

“We just don’t want to be competing every week, we want to be the team to beat,” he said.

“We want to turn from the hunters to the hunted. ”