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What the Bulldogs, Cats, Magpies and Bombers should be selling to Matt Rowell
SEN • March 7th, 2025 10:54 am
How would you sell your club to Matt Rowell?
The Gold Coast midfielder is out of contract at the end of the 2025 season and is the subject of strong interest from four Victorian clubs.
Former No.1 pick Rowell, a Melbourne native, has already met with the Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Collingwood and Essendon in the off-season, and is yet to make a call on his plans for the future.
Given the frenzied interest in the 23-year-old, David King and Kane Cornes undertook the task of stepping into the shoes of each of the four clubs and selling themselves.
“I thought we would put those clubs that are pitching to him in the gun,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“If he were to leave the Suns he’s going to choose between four clubs - Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Essendon.”
The Western Bulldogs’ sell
“I think the sell for the Dogs is pretty easy,” King said.
“You’re going because of Marcus Bontempelli so you can have the twin peaks in the middle - Bont and Rowell would be unbelievable.
“They’ve got a great new facility, elite forwards in Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, and if Jamarra (Ugle-Hagan) is still there you’ve got an opportunity to go there and win a premiership.
“He could there and seriously impact, but how would their sell be better than Geelong’s sell, for instance? The money is going to be the same.
“Why would he choose the Dogs? I don’t know what the separating factor is for why he would choose the Dogs over and above the other three.”
Cornes added: “He’s the perfect replacement for Libba (Tom Liberatore) eventually as well.
“But it would be hard when there is uncertainty around who’s going to be the coach as well.
“I think you’d want some certainty around that.”
Geelong’s sell
“Geelong’s sell is a lot easier, they’ve got the best coach, they’ve got the lifestyle,” said King.
“It’s almost like a flexible lifestyle with the times they train.
“They’ve got Max Holmes, they’ve got Jeremy Cameron, the very end of Patrick Dangerfield, they’ll probably do a Cotton On deal for him.”
Cornes added: “You’d think Geelong is the frontrunner.”
Collingwood’s sell
“The club sells itself,” said Cornes.
“If you’re a player that has been off broadway like Matt Rowell has been on the Gold Coast - as much as it has lifestyle factors - to come and play for Collingwood would be such a thrill.
“The only ‘but’ you would have is: what’s the list going to look like in three or four years’ time? And is this is a Taranto/Hopper situation where I join Collingwood on the decline?
“Poor old Timmy Taranto and Jacob Hopper were sold the dream to play in front of 100,000 at the MCG for Richmond every second week, and they’re going to be playing in front of 35,000 and losing by 10 goals.
“That would be the only thing that Matt Rowell would have to consider. You wouldn’t think that is going to happen at Collingwood but it’s realistic and it’s in play for him.
“But it would be a thrill to play for the biggest club in the country with the best resources and it would be the best way to build your brand - if that’s what you wanted to do - and play in big games and marquee fixtures every second week.
“I then they would be right in the mix, provided they could get him.”
Essendon’s sell
“To be able to join Essendon with where they are now and be a driving force in turning that club around,” said Cornes.
“Can you imagine the momentum that Essendon would have with those fans behind them once this team starts to become a good side
“They’re young the Bombers, I like the way that they play a reasonably attacking style of football, and if this turns and when it turns - because it will - in two or three years’ time, to be a part of that when he is 25-26 and in the absolute prime of his career, its going to be crazy.
“It’s a big if, but if Essendon become a finals force again it’s going to be absolutely crazy.”
The Rowell Conclusion
Cornes: “Out of those four, if you’re going to go frontrunners, I would go: Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon, Western Bulldogs.
“That’s how I’d rank them.”
King: “I feel like he is going, but I’ve got no line of sight or clarity on that opinion.
“But why would you leave? If we’re talking about lists and opportunities, surely the list at the Suns is better than lists elsewhere.
“I think it will be the Pies.”
