Major Matt Rowell contract news breaks during Gold Coast Suns game
Gold Coast star Matt Rowell has reportedly signed a two-year contract extension, shunning strong interest from rival clubs, including Collingwood.
Interestingly, the news broke via The Age during his side's 16.10. (106) to 14.15. (99) loss to GWS.
The Suns, when asked during the game, said the news was just a report and they had nothing official to add at that stage.
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Matt Rowell of the Suns runs the ball during the round 15 AFL match. via Getty Images
The two-year extension takes Rowell through to free agency. Interestingly, it also puts him right in the window for any potential Tassie Devils interest.
The commitment reportedly came on Friday ahead of the club's trip to Sydney.
It is a huge decision for the club, given Collingwood reportedly had a considerable crack at luring him.
It will still go down as a bittersweet day for Gold Coast fans, after their side led for the majority of the afternoon before being blown out of the water in the fourth quarter.
The Giants kicked eight goals in the final term after the Suns led by as many as 22 points in the third quarter.
Tom Green was mighty in the middle, winning a career-high 16 clearances from 30 disposals, while Jake Stringer came on as the substitute and kicked two ripping goals from the boundary in the final term.
Jake Stringer celebrates a goal. via Getty Images
For the Suns, Noah Anderson had an enormous day, finding 42 disposals to go with two goals, while Touk Miller similarly had 37 and snagged two.
Rowell, the man of the moment, had 34 disposals and 12 clearances.
The Giants lost star runner Lachie Whitfield to a concussion early in the contest after a collision with Suns spearhead Ben King.
It's a bad loss for Gold Coast, going down to a rival side also fighting for a spot in the bottom half of the eight. These are the "eight point" games that can ultimately decide things come the end of the season.
And as things sit right now, the Suns will finish the round outside of the eight if the Western Bulldogs beat Richmond.
Gold Coast will host Melbourne on Saturday afternoon in round 16, while GWS enters its bye week.
