The AFL has been waiting for Matt Rowell to burst back into the limelight after his stunning debut period in 2020.
Since averaging 20-plus touches and picking up nine Brownlow votes in his first four AFL games, Rowell has suffered an ACL injury and has been quietly building his performances over the last couple of seasons.
But the Gold Coast Suns midfielder exploded with a record-breaking game in the opening game of 2024.
MORE: AFL Injury List 2024: All the league's medical news, Supercoach tips
Matt Rowell breaks AFL clearance record
As the Suns comfortably defeated Richmond by 39 points, Rowell collected an extraordinary 20 clearances, which is a record since Champion Data have been collecting statistics in 1999.
Among his 33 possessions, 26 of them were contested, while the midfielder also made five tackles and won four free kicks.
Rowell's tally of clearances surpassed the previous record of 19 by Melbourne midfielder Brent Moloney (vs. Adelaide 2011) and Carlton's Patrick Cripps (vs. Adelaide 2019).
However, there is a game recorded prior to 1999 where a player achieved more clearances - Hawthorn's Paul Salmon with 22 vs. North Melbourne in 1998.
AFL clearance records since 1999
| Clearances | Player (Club) | Opponent (Year) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Matt Rowell (Gold Coast) | Richmond (2024) |
| 19 | Brent Moloney (Melbourne) | Adelaide (2011) |
| 19 | Patrick Cripps (Carlton) | Adelaide (2019) |
| 18 | Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) | Collingwood (2005) |
| 18 | Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide) | Collingwood (2008) |
| 18 | Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) | North Melboune (2017) |
| 17 | Matt Priddis (West Coast) | Western Bulldogs (2012) |
| 17 | Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne) | Adelaide (2011) |
| 17 | Patrick Cripps (Carlton) | Adelaide (2018) |
