When Matty Rowell arrived at the Metricon Stadium in early December, Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew knew he had a unique player blessed with talent. Now the rest of the AFL is well aware after just two games.
The No1 draft pick was viewed by many last season as the most dominant junior footballer ever seen.
However, few would have expected the Victorian to be the best on the ground in just his second professional match against an experienced West Coast midfield last weekend.
Rowell was exceptional as the Suns broke a 19-match losing streak with a shock 44-point win over the Eagles last Saturday.
The 18-year-old showed maturity beyond his years to kick two goals from 26 disposals, 14 contested possessions, seven tackles and five clearances to inspire Gold Coast to victory.
It was a sparkling performance that drew praise from 2018 Brownlow medalist Tom Mitchell and Geelong captain Joel Selwood, a player Rowell idolised growing up.
“Going to enjoy watching Rowell for the next 15 years,” Selwood tweeted after the Suns’ win. Big praise indeed considering Selwood, a three-time Premiership winner, has enjoyed a stellar 13-year career to date.
Standing at 5ft 9 in and 75kg, Rowell may not cut a towering or bustling figure, but he looms as a long-term star in Queensland.
And while the Suns have battled to retain their youngsters in the past, the Melbourne native is hoping to pen a new deal soon.
Normally when 18-year-olds come into the AFL, it takes time for them to build their bodies, adapt to the conditioning, the physicality and gain confidence around more experienced players.
For Rowell, he arrived with it all in place and has hit the ground running.
When a player comes into the game with Rowell’s talent, it is easy for fans to jump ahead and pile the pressure on him. However, this man has been destined for the big stage from a young age.
That passion and that armoury of skills were forged during his early years at Mont Albert. He grew up as a Carlton fan, idolising Eddie Betts. His family gave him no choice.
About five miles away, a young Noah Anderson was just taking up the sport. His father, Dean, was a two-time Premiership winner with Hawthorn. Another youngster full of brilliance.
The two played against each other at various underage grades. Both were stars on their respective teams. In the final year of primary school, they played together for the first time in an under-12s match. It was only when they went to Carey Baptist Grammar in the leafy eastern suburbs of Melbourne the following year that a friendship blossomed.
They went on to become dominant forces at Oakleigh Chargers, Carey Grammar and Vic Metro for many years, winning multiple honours along the way.
To underline their class, both were selected as the top two draft picks out of the 50 best U-18 players in Australia last year.
It’s mad to think that the top draft picks went to the same school, are best friends and now plying their trade at Gold Coast. As a youngster, the prospect of lining out against Rowell and Anderson in midfield must have been daunting. Two conductors of the orchestra.
While Anderson is a fine midfielder who can regularly impact the scoreboard, Rowell has had increasing hype surrounding him for many years.
Some players get overwhelmed with the constant snap of cameras, while others seem to love producing the magic when the pressure is on. Nothing seems to faze Rowell.
He stands in the middle of the ground and picks his moments to make an impact. Every player can have the engine and the searing pace, but it’s the ability to read the game and make the smart decisions in possession that sets him apart.
His workrate is impressive, and to rack up those numbers starts with being in immaculate physical shape. He plays like the traditional midfielder, standing in the middle of the park, and picking the right moment to skip out wide, or break forward. Similarly in defence, he sits waiting and retreats back before the ball sails in.
At 18, he is still young, still learning his craft. Life is only getting started. To get to that next level though, certain things must run in his favour.
Staying injury-free is a stroke of luck given the intensity of the AFL season, but it is also in the player’s hands with how well they look after their respective bodies off the park. In a long career, there will be downs along the way. All great stories have those setbacks in between. It’s how you react that defines everything.
Watching Rowell over the weekend was a delight. A serious athlete. Hopefully, he can replicate that sizzling form versus Adelaide again this weekend. He is a young bull full of energy. If he can play at this level until his 30s, we are going to see a glittering career.
