Bulldogs in the hunt for star Sun

[Bornadog]

THE WESTERN Bulldogs are in the hunt for Gold Coast's Matt Rowell, who will start the season as one of the in-demand players in the competition.

AFL.com.au understands the Bulldogs were among the four teams to meet with Rowell in the off-season, alongside Collingwood, Essendon and Geelong, with the Suns midfielder believed to strike a connection with Dogs coach Luke Beveridge.

Having lost midfielders Josh Dunkley and Bailey Smith in recent years, and recruited a swathe of talls through father-son and Academy access, the Dogs look likely to prioritise more midfield power with Rowell in their sights and the club a serious consideration for him if he does let his contract drag deeper into the season.

Rowell is coming out of contract this season and has been weighing his future. He has bought into the Suns' plans this year as they strive to make the finals for the first time but has been in no rush to get to his contract decision nor start the discussions on a new deal.

He indicated last month that a strong start to the season would help the Suns' cause in him recommitting. Matt Rowell during the round 24 match between Richmond and Gold Coast at the MCG, August 24, 2024. Picture: Getty Images
The 2019 No.1 pick said he expected to re-sign at the Suns but did not lock in when that would come, with the Dogs, Cats, Magpies and Bombers all waiting on which way he will proceed.

"Yeah, I think so," Rowell said.

"That'll happen when we get to it, but I'm just focused on the season coming up and winning our first game.

"We want to have success this year, we want to make finals. We want to be a serious footy team and we want to be playing finals this year."

AFL.com.au revealed last November that Collingwood and Essendon were pursuing the contested ball midfielder, with the Bombers armed with two first-round picks and two second-round picks this year.


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The 23-year-old is coming into his sixth season at the club having played 85 games, with the Suns remaining confident Rowell would stay.

"We're confident Matt will stay. He's loved here by our players, our coaching staff and our fans," coach Damien Hardwick told AFL.com.au last month.

"As a footy club we have to hold up our end of the bargain and win a lot of footy games because that's what he's here for, to win."

[Bornadog]

Let's do it

[Axe Man]

Would be a perfect Libba replacement, however history tells us up against Essendon, Collingwood & Geelong he isn't choosing us.

Perhaps we can sway him with the quality tasty grass on on offer at Whitten Oval?

[Bornadog]

Would be a perfect Libba replacement, however history tells us up against Essendon, Collingwood & Geelong he isn't choosing us.

Perhaps we can sway him with the quality tasty grass on on offer at Whitten Oval?

"with the Suns midfielder believed to strike a connection with Dogs coach Luke Beveridge"

Sign them both up

[bulldogsthru&thru]

alongside Collingwood, Essendon and Geelong

Cmon guys. We know how this ends.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Gotta continue going after these types, albeit it's challenging to beat Collingwood, Geelong etc.

The Bevo/Bont factor should help when it comes to pitching and Rowell doesn't strike me as craving air time, so he could be a good character to go after.

Would be a good get, he is a beast.

[Eastdog]

Great we are showing interest. He is a highly sought after player and be a good get for our midfield now with Libba getting on and Macrae gone.

[EasternWest]

Ha ha ha ha

[Mitcha]

Interesting as to how much we are actually into Rowell. If we are all chips in I would say we have little belief that Butters returns to his Western Suburbs roots.

[Uninformed]

The 'connection' with Bevo is something we do not hear often. Hope it sways him.

[Bornadog]

The 'connection' with Bevo is something we do not hear often. Hope it sways him.

Also Marra played with him in under age footy

[jazzadogs]

Let's say Rowell commits to us. What's his price? 2025 first round and 2026 F1 would have been my minimum starting point, but has Baz set a new precedent for an out of contract gun without an AA/Brownlow/b&f behind them?

Is there a possibility of getting him for a single first rounder?

[Bornadog]

Let's say Rowell commits to us. What's his price? 2025 first round and 2026 F1 would have been my minimum starting point, but has Baz set a new precedent for an out of contract gun without an AA/Brownlow/b&f behind them?

Is there a possibility of getting him for a single first rounder?

I guess it will depend where we are on the ladder.

[Virgin-Dog]

Let's say Rowell commits to us. What's his price? 2025 first round and 2026 F1 would have been my minimum starting point, but has Baz set a new precedent for an out of contract gun without an AA/Brownlow/b&f behind them?

Is there a possibility of getting him for a single first rounder?

Baz was coming off an ACL which would have impacted his price. Rowell would probably only be that cheap if his shoulders continue giving him issues. In my opinion, he’s a good chance at All Australian this year. I’d rate him as close to the best contested midfielder in the competition. Reminds me of 2013 Libba

[jazzadogs]

Baz was coming off an ACL which would have impacted his price. Rowell would probably only be that cheap if his shoulders continue giving him issues. In my opinion, he’s a good chance at All Australian this year. I’d rate him as close to the best contested midfielder in the competition. Reminds me of 2013 Libba

Nah Baz was that cheap because Geelong are assholes and he was out of contract. The ACL was inconvenient for us but the first two points were more important.