Matthew Rowell

Rowell was born in Sydney, New South Wales to a mother from Victoria and a father from Queensland. The family moved to Melbourne when Rowell was a child and he began playing football when his father took him to Mont Albert to participate in Auskick. He played majority of his junior football with the Canterbury Cobras and was touted as a future AFL player as early as the under 10 level. As Rowell progressed through the junior ranks, he was given an opportunity to debut in the TAC Cup for the Oakleigh Chargers a month after his 16th birthday. Leading into the 2019 season, Rowell was considered the early favourite to be selected with the number 1 pick in the 2019 AFL draft. He showed his worth by dominating for Victoria Metro at the AFL Under 18 National Championships and playing a pivotal role in Oakleigh's NAB League premiership season, including a Grand Final performance against the Eastern Ranges in which he recorded 44 disposals and two goals. He was subsequently voted best on ground in the NAB League Grand Final and awarded U18 All-Australian selection.

He attended Carey Grammar with future Gold Coast teammate Noah Anderson throughout his teenage years. The pair were instrumental in delivering Carey's second ever football APS Premiership in 2019. Rowell had supported the Carlton Football Club growing up.

Rowell was recruited by the Gold Coast Suns with the 1st pick in the 2019 AFL draft. Alongside best mate, Noah Anderson, who was selected at Pick 2. Rowell was given guernsey number 18.

Matthew Rowell (born 1 July 2001) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL).