AFL news: Matt Rowell answers key questions on future amid trade speculation

Matt Rowell’s coach and captain have fronted the media to chat about recent trade speculation, now the man himself has faced the music. Read the full transcript here.

Gold Coast midfielder Matt Rowell says “there is no timeline” on when he will make a decision on his playing future as a slew of rival clubs line up to tempt the off-contract superstar back home to Victoria.

Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs have all been linked to the 23-year-old ball magnet, whose current contract expires at the end of 2025.

Rowell, who last week was added to a new-look six-man Suns leadership group, said he was “committed to the Suns” and did not “want to comment” on reports his management had met with rival clubs as the 2019 No.1 pick weighs up his AFL future.

“I guess it is a little bit flattering but to be honest, I’m not too focused on that at the moment,” Rowell said of reported interest from Victorian clubs.

Matt Rowell has spoken about his future. Picture: Getty Images

Speaking at a community camp on the Gold Coast on Monday, Rowell was asked if he was “likely to sign a contract” with the Suns, to which he replied: “Yeah, I think so. Obviously that will just happen when we get to it.”

Last week Suns coach Damien Hardwick told Code Sports he sat down with Rowell amid the speculation around his star onballer’s future to remind him of how valuable he was to the club.

“We just had a chat about what he wants from me this year and what he thinks I can bring to the team on field and off field with a bit of leadership,” Rowell revealed.

Speaking on Rowell’s contract decision, Hardwick said it was on the club to “hold up our end of the bargain” and “make sure we win more games” to convince Rowell to recommit to the Suns.

When asked what it was he wanted to see from the club that would get him to sign a contract extension, Rowell echoed the words of his coach.

“I think we just want to have success this year. We want to make finals, we want to be a serious footy team,” he said.

“We want to be playing finals this year and when you come up against us, you know it’s going to be a tough battle.”

Rowell’s great mate Noah Anderson became the youngest captain in the AFL last week when the Suns announced he would take over from Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller for the upcoming season.

Anderson told Code Sports he and Rowell “both … feel a responsibility to help bring this club success” and backed Rowell to become a strong leader at the Suns this season.

Rowell said he and Anderson shared “a really special relationship”.

“This year I really want to step into more of a leadership role and being in the leadership group I’m really excited about it,” he added.

“I think with Noz as the new captain I feel I can just really support him – I think (that) is going to be my main role and just step up as a leader.”