3 minute read

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has no concerns about Matt Rowell's physical or mental condition as the midfielder prepares to return to the AFL.

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has no doubt youngster Matt Rowell is physically and mentally ready to make his AFL return.

The former No.1 draft pick has been sidelined since round one with a knee injury but is almost certain to be named to face Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday.

After bursting onto the scene last year, Rowell's debut season was cut short after just five games when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Geelong.

His return against West Coast in the 2021 season opener in Perth lasted less than a quarter before his left knee was damaged after landing heavily in a tackle against the Eagles.

Dew says there's no need to be cautious with the 19-year-old's comeback, with Rowell having proven his fitness over the past three weeks.

"He's ready. He's absolutely ready," Dew said.

"Physically, his body is better prepared than what it was leading into round one, because he's essentially had another pre-season.

"Once he was out of the brace, he's done a lot of work in the weights room and on his running and getting the rest of his body better prepared.

"In some sense he's probably fitter than what he was leading into the season.

"It's certainly not a rush."

Rowell is one of three players pushing to come back into the team from injury to face the Dockers, with Sam Day (knee) and Jack Bowes (hamstring) also in contention.

It's a welcome scenario for Dew, as the 13th-placed Suns look to buck their recent history of poor finishes to seasons and push for an unlikely maiden finals berth.

"Physically they're more mature - mentally as well - a little bit more seasoned, bit more hardened," Dew said of his group.

"We feel like we have grown our depth through this period because with four or five long-term injuries, that's another four or five players that have played six to eight games.

"We think that to run the year out, there's some guys coming back in that are going to be fresh, that've missed a lot of footy, and then there's some guys that have had good exposure.

"It's just the lived experiences together and we've had a greater number of players go through it."