Gold Coast Suns midfielder and number one draft pick Matt Rowell has been forced off the field after appearing to dislocate his right shoulder.
Rowell pulled up sore during the first quarter of their clash with the Geelong Cats, with the 18-year-old landing awkwardly after trying to handball whilst being tackled.
The club confirmed that he will be sidelined for the rest of the game as they determine the severity of the injury.
Matt Rowell has been forced off the ground with a shoulder injury. #AFLCatsSuns pic.twitter.com/xuRPPe1GK8
— AFL (@AFL) July 4, 2020
Unfortunately Matt Rowell will take no further part in today's game due to a shoulder injury 😔
— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) July 4, 2020
This left fans and pundits alike lambasting the unfortunate news, with many eager to see how he would line up against legendary Cat Gary Ablett in his 300th game.
Watching @GoldCoastSUNS No.1 draft pick Matt Rowell play in what has been a 💩 year, has been a joy ... and now that’s been taken away. GET STUFFED 2020 🖕🏼#Rowell #AFLCatsSuns
— Nat Edwards (@Nat_Edwards) July 4, 2020
Well that just sucks. Speedy recovery Matt Rowell #AFLCatsSuns
— Denis Robeson (@DenisRobeson) July 4, 2020
What a shame. Was really looking forward to see Rowell against the Geelong champion midfield. Poor kid #AFLCatsSuns
— Ronny Lerner (@RonnyLerner) July 4, 2020
Not Matt Rowell!!! F*&@ 2020!!
— David King (@davidking34) July 4, 2020
Rowell has been a sensation for the Suns since making his debut in round one, earning the round two NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
He would then go on to inspire the club to three straight victories, producing a string of incredible performances that saw him become just the second player to earn perfect votes in three straight weeks for the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player Award.
more to come
