Devastating images from inside the Gold Coast changerooms after the loss to Carlton on Saturday have sparked fears the club could lose Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell.
AFL great Nick Riewoldt said it was a long time since he had seen such post-match pain after a home and away game, and the pictures told 1000 words.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Matt Rowell devastated after Suns’ loss to Carlton
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“These pictures are akin to, and I’ve been there, a losing grand final room. That’s what it looks like, the devastation on his face,” Riewoldt said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.
Agenda Setters host Craig Hutchison said: “These are amazing and sad pictures in many respects from the weekend of just how much it means to him and the sadness.”
The pictures show Rowell sitting in devastation as teammate Ben Long walks across the room to console him, while Ben King (who is expected to leave the club at the end of this year and join Hawthorn) sits beside him in silence.
Riewoldt also noted King’s lack of interaction with the shattered Rowell.
“That speaks volumes,” Riewoldt said.
“And then here with family post-game as well,” Riewoldt continued, as vision showed Rowell getting embraced by his family.
“So I haven’t quite seen these sort of pictures in a home and away room in a long time.”
AFL expert Kane Cornes said it was very concerning for Gold Coast.
“So Mark Evans would want to review this vision if he hasn’t seen that. I’m surprised that he’s not across it as much as what he could have been,” Cornes said.
“I’ve said this a couple of times, the risk is that they have to start from scratch again. And it’s the same revolving door that we’ve seen at Gold Coast.”
Cornes added that Rowell had only signed a two-year contract and had a home in Victoria.
After winning the Brownlow Medal last year, Rowell made his priorities clear, saying he doesn’t play for “individual accolades” and wants to win premierships.
“And that’s why he signed a short two-year contract to the end of 2027,” Cornes said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.
“So if Ken Hinkley hasn’t been on the phone to his management today or last week, I’d be absolutely shocked in that.
“He’s got a house in Victoria.
“And if they lose King and they lose some others, there’s some great leaders in (Charlie) Ballard and (Jarrod) Witts that have the possibility to leave.
“This club may have to start from scratch.”
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson said Rowell went into the Carlton game still believing a wildcard finals berth was possible.
“He never stops hoping,” Wilson said.
She said Rowell’s level of disappointment was similar to coach Damien Hardwick’s after the Adelaide loss.
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Wilson said football boss Craig Cameron later admitted he wished he’d realised how upset Hardwick was before the coach gave a press conference and wrote off the season.
Club CEO Mark Evans has conceded the Suns need to focus more on homegrown talent, acknowledging that when free agency hits the club, it’s going to be a problem.
However, both Cornes and Rieweoldt said the club still needed Victorians and must find a way to retain their stars.
“They’ve got to look after their stars as well, their Brownlow medallist,” Cornes said.
