2024/2025 Gold Coast Draft & Trade Periods

[Jirik13]

So in cold heart analysis, how would Rowell leaving impact Suns?

Can other players play his role? Rowell is a tackling beast, contested possession machine but he is 100% inside and as a result the body gets banged up, he does not have another string to his bow, he is not fast, not big body, average disposal, does not score a lot, when opposition sits on him he struggles.

Would it allow Flanders to play more inside and flourish there? Obviously it would give more opportunities to Humphrey, Graham, Davies in the middle and they could grab the opportunity. Not mentioning down the track Rogers, Lombard introducing some speed.

So, do we need really Rowell, haha? Another 1M+ would be saved (we do have to pay Mac, Anderson, King and others, we could target a big fish).

PS:
I am not a big fan of a player meeting secretly with opposition coach long before a season starts. Where is the commitment to a common goal with teammates - to bring that first Premiership to Suns.

Is actually Dimma nudging him out?

 

[Supersuns]

I fully buy into the noise that Dimma isn't sold on Rowell. Hardwick has always been a coach that values versatility and Rowelly bless his socks just doesn't have any. He can play as an inside mid and nothing else. Makes it hard to change things up when you're getting beaten as you have nowhere else to put him. Time will tell on it but if im reading correctly we haven't even offered him a contract yet which seems incredibly strange.

 

[Jirik13]

I fully buy into the noise that Dimma isn't sold on Rowell. Hardwick has always been a coach that values versatility and Rowelly bless his socks just doesn't have any. He can play as an inside mid and nothing else. Makes it hard to change things up when you're getting beaten as you have nowhere else to put him. Time will tell on it but if im reading correctly we haven't even offered him a contract yet which seems incredibly strange.

Where is the news about Suns not offering contract? I missed that. I was under impression he postponed any talks until season starts.

On a side note, crazy Volcano views Rowell not at the same level as Anderson, Daicos, Ashcroft, Sheezel, LDU. Top money only for Anderson.

 

[Supersuns]

Where is the news about Suns not offering contract? I missed that. I was under impression he postponed any talks until season starts.

On a side note, crazy Volcano views Rowell not at the same level as Anderson, Daicos, Ashcroft, Sheezel. So top money only for Anderson.

I may of just misred it, but Clearly said there had been "no movement" at all on a contract extension, which makes me think there has been no formal extension offered yet.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

I may of just misred it, but Clearly said there had been "no movement" at all on a contract extension, which makes me think there has been no formal extension offered yet.

I'd take that as Rowell's side haven't been keen to talk yet. No way the Suns haven't tried to extend him yet.

 

[Ben Drever]

Any other club than Geelong. I wouldn’t be worried.
Geelong just get who they want, and from a long way out.
They sell the story, and everyone accepts well unders and buys in.

Which players could we look to pride out of Cats land

 

[sunsofanarchy]

I wonder if we played finals last year, would Rowell have taken the meeting? Need to play finals this year, or players will leave and another rebuild ensues. No one wants to stay at an underperforming organisation, who doesn't play blockbuster games, infront of small crowds. The main bonding agent of this group is the opportunity to make history and be part of the inaugural GC premiership team. No more excuses for this group, win a final and the group will stick together, underperform and the cycle continues.

 

[SUNS]

So in cold heart analysis, how would Rowell leaving impact Suns?

Can other players play his role? Rowell is a tackling beast, contested possession machine but he is 100% inside and as a result the body gets banged up, he does not have another string to his bow, he is not fast, not big body, average disposal, does not score a lot, when opposition sits on him he struggles.

Would it allow Flanders to play more inside and flourish there? Obviously it would give more opportunities to Humphrey, Graham, Davies in the middle and they could grab the opportunity. Not mentioning down the track Rogers, Lombard introducing some speed.

So, do we need really Rowell, haha? Another 1M+ would be saved (we do have to pay Mac, Anderson, King and others, we could target a big fish).

PS:
I am not a big fan of a player meeting secretly with opposition coach long before a season starts. Where is the commitment to a common goal with teammates - to bring that first Premiership to Suns.

Is actually Dimma nudging him out?

Just to play the devils advocate for a moment. It was 100% not a secret as such. MR requested permission from the club, which was granted, so that he could get it all out of the way before he began pre-season

 

[Jirik13]

Just to play the devils advocate for a moment. It was 100% not a secret as such. MR requested permission from the club, which was granted, so that he could get it all out of the way before he began pre-season

Cleary should check with you first before going public.

Just wondering who leaked it and why.

For sure after 5 years and no success I can't begrudge players assessing their options especially if Dimma's noice has legs. It seems a bit similar to Ainsworth situation who met with clubs with Suns permission. Hopefully it's not Luko's case.

Still prefer e.g. Powell, Anderson commitment to the team.

Let's see if he will re-sign soon. Otherwise it will be distraction.

 

[sunsofanarchy]

Cleary should check with you first before going public.

Just wondering who leaked it and why.

For sure after 5 years and no success I can't begrudge players assessing their options especially if Dimma's noice has legs. It seems a bit similar to Ainsworth situation who met with clubs with Suns permission. Hopefully it's not Luko's case.

Still prefer e.g. Powell, Anderson commitment to the team.

Let's see if he will re-sign soon. Otherwise it will be distraction.

Who else is pushing a dimma/rowell rift besides you?

 

[Jirik13]

Who else is pushing a dimma/rowell rift besides you?

I am not pushing it. Pretty reliable source (as per previous experience) with links to the club. I will not disclose it.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Just to play the devils advocate for a moment. It was 100% not a secret as such. MR requested permission from the club, which was granted, so that he could get it all out of the way before he began pre-season

I trust your source hopefully it's the good one though and not Skav.

 

[Jirik13]

Article by Callum Dick who knows a bit about Suns. Excerpts below.

What I took from the article:
Rowell put contract talks on hold.
It does not look like Rowell will re-sign soon. 2025 success/failure will decide.
Dimma is his biggest supporter.
Suns are very confident he will stay.

Geelong’s pursuit of Matt Rowell examined: How it could happen and is it possible?​

Geelong has thrown its hat in the ring for Gold Coast superstar Matt Rowell but a move home to Victoria is far from a fait accompli for the former No. 1 overall pick.
In November this masthead reported Rowell had put contract talks with the Suns on-hold amid intense Victorian interest while assessing the club’s improvement following yet another failed finals push in 2024.

With every week the 23-year-old remains unsigned through 2025 the noise will grow but the ball is in Gold Coast’s court to convince its midfield bull to remain loyal to the cause and the club is confident he will stay.

It is unlikely the Cats’ pitch to Rowell includes making him the richest player in football – rather a carved out role as the next Joel Selwood and the carrot of continued on-field success playing for the most consistent club in the land.

It is a pitch the Suns cannot match given their 0-14 finals strike rate and therein lies the key tipping point: Rowell will want to see signs of significant growth and the promise of September football if he is to recommit.

Damien Hardwick is Rowell’s biggest supporter and his presence was one of the major reasons the triple-premiership coach chose to take the job on the Gold Coast.

Rowell would command close to that $1m figure on his next deal but his situation is vastly different to that of Lukosius.

While Lukosius was a piece Hardwick struggled to fit within his puzzle, Rowell remains one of the corner pieces to his system and a major reason why the triple-premiership coach took the Gold Coast job in the first place.

THE STATE OF PLAY​

Geelong will not be the last Victorian club to make a play for Rowell and the longer he remains unsigned by the Suns the more speculation will grow.

Gold Coast is incredibly confident he will stay and it should be, but there is now even more pressure on the Suns to make the September leap in 2025 because anything less than positive momentum could mean Rowell looks elsewhere for success.

And clearly, if the star midfielder was already sold on staying at the Suns he would have signed on the dotted line by now.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/geelongs-pursuit-of-matt-rowell-examined-how-it-could-happen-and-is-it-possible/news-story/d50130d7287e422a5aa02320cc96974e

 

[Supersuns]

We where extremely confident about Rankine staying too

 

[SUNS]

Cleary should check with you first before going public.

Just wondering who leaked it and why.

For sure after 5 years and no success I can't begrudge players assessing their options especially if Dimma's noice has legs. It seems a bit similar to Ainsworth situation who met with clubs with Suns permission. Hopefully it's not Luko's case.

Still prefer e.g. Powell, Anderson commitment to the team.

Let's see if he will re-sign soon. Otherwise it will be distraction.

I trust your source hopefully it's the good one though and not Skav.

On Pixel 9 Pro XL using BigFooty.com mobile app

Haha no source this time although it might be time to ask some questions

Literally just going from a few articles which vaguely all say the same. Meybe I’m reading it wrong though ….


‘Industry sources believe Geelong wouldn’t have been the only club to meet Rowell last off-season. It’s a time window Rowell requested to give him information to weigh up his decision and avoid distraction from his pre-season commitments with the Suns.’

 

[KaySwizzle]

So in cold heart analysis, how would Rowell leaving impact Suns?

Can other players play his role? Rowell is a tackling beast, contested possession machine but he is 100% inside and as a result the body gets banged up, he does not have another string to his bow, he is not fast, not big body, average disposal, does not score a lot, when opposition sits on him he struggles.


Is actually Dimma nudging him out?

Well, Prestia I would say was pretty similar in strengths and weaknesses. Dimma found room for him. Rowell is like The Meatball in that he is a key cog to let the midfield machine run.

The problem is that the people he feeds it too aren’t elite kicks and currently aren’t game changing mids either. But the midfield is young, so there is time.

 

[Jen2310]

Collingwood and Essendon head the list of clubs in pursuit of Gold Coast star Matt Rowell, who also met with Geelong in sprin


Competition sources said that the Magpies and Bombers had spoken to Rowell back in October, along with Geelong, while the Western Bulldogs are also interested in the gun midfielder, who comes out of contract this year.

Gold Coast, however, are confident of retaining Rowell, the 2019 No.1 draft pick, despite the strong interest from Victoria and lure of returning home. Rowell, one of the AFL’s premier stoppage players, would be eligible for free agency at the end of 2027 if he signed a two-year extension.
The Suns are aware Rowell has been approached by Victorian clubs keen on a powerful inside midfielder, but they believe he has lately shown strong commitment to their cause.
He has played every match in the past three seasons and finished in the top 10 in the Brownlow Medal last year, but he is yet to play finals.
If he were up for grabs, Rowell would be one of the most sought-after players in the trading marketplace.

Pies and Bombers chasing the Sun: Big Victorian clubs in the hunt for Rowell

Collingwood and Essendon head the list of clubs in pursuit of Gold Coast star Matt Rowell, who also met with Geelong in spring.

www.theage.com.au

 

[SandyToes]

The upside to all the Rowell chatter is he's likely to win the Brownlow this year based on typical final year of contract performance

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

The fact it's so many clubs does raise the eyebrows on the intent behind the conversations. If he wanted to get to Victoria he wouldn't openly be telling the club he's having these meetings unless they've agreed to facilitate it ridiculously early.

Typically these go home deals a long way out are secretive and often narrowed to a club or two. This screams of a negotiation tactic and while the Rankine situation has me coy, the fact the club are so confident tells me there's a negotiation on the dollars that's had a stalemate now or in the past.

Just an odd situation and I'm not saying I'm super confident it doesn't mean he leaves but it gives me vibes that there's some manager tricks going on behind the scenes, potentially even the club leaking stuff too.