Number one draft pick Matt Rowell is on the cusp of re-joining Gold Coast’s main training group as he nears the end of a prolonged rehab period on his troublesome shoulder.
Rowell, who burst onto the scene in the first four rounds of 2020 before succumbing to a season-ending shoulder injury, is set to be welcomed back to full training after a stint of rehabilitation which has impressed onlookers at the Suns.
Gold Coast football boss Jon Haines said he couldn’t help but be excited to see the 19-year-old fully train again next week ahead of the start of the 2021 season in March.
“He’s had an unbelievable rehabilitation period,” he said on SEN Mornings.
“His level of diligence and dedication to the shoulder has been just outstanding, it’s stronger than ever – before Christmas we had to hold him back and give him a bit of a break.
“He’ll certainly hit the ground running with the main group next week, we can’t wait to get him back into training with the group fully fit and Matt (Rowell) is super excited about how this year looks for him.
Exciting young forward Izak Rankine also impressed in patches last season, kicking 12 games from 12 matches.
Much has been made about how head coach Stuart Dew should manage the prodigious talent and Haines said it was vital he was able to show his natural skill within the confines of the overall team structure.
“From our point of view, we’ll certainly lean on letting him show his natural flair,” he said.
“That’s what his teammates love and that’s what we love about him as well, we don’t want to bang it out of young players, particular Izak (Rankine) who’s understanding and feel for the game is as good as anyone from the last few drafts.
“We’re really keen to foster that and get him to understand the broader structural implications of the team, but we want him to bring his strengths as much as he possibly can.”