Suns urged to channel Rowell in big AFL milestone
The Suns will meet Essendon for the first time since Mac Andrew's memorable matchwinning goal after the siren last August.
It will be the first of two matches the teams will play in the final eight weeks of the season, ahead of the game rescheduled because of Cyclone Alfred.
Both outings against the injury-hit Bombers are non-negotiables if Gold Coast want to finally end their long wait to play finals.
Currently sitting eighth, albeit having played one less game than other finals contenders, the Suns have various reasons to win at Marvel Stadium this Saturday.
Rowell, who recently turned his back on monster offers from several Victorian clubs to re-sign with the Suns for another two years, will celebrate a big milestone.
"He's decided to stay and more importantly it's his 100th game this week," Hardwick said.
"We've just got to make sure we play a Rowell type of game.
"The way he plays the game is exactly what we need to bring this week."
The Bombers' match will be followed by a three-week stretch that will define their season.
Gold Coast will have six days to prepare to host Collingwood in a rare Friday night game at People First Stadium, before an away assignment against Adelaide and a home QClash against the Brisbane Lions.
Essendon (6-8) will be boosted by the return of star pair Sam Durham and Jordan Ridley, while veteran ruck Todd Goldstein has also been recalled.
But midfielder Darcy Parish's troubled season continued when he injured his calf during the Bombers' bye.
The biggest injury blow came at training on Wednesday when talented but injury-prone defender Zach Reid suffered another hamstring injury.
Set to return after missing five weeks, Reid will now consult a surgeon to determine if surgery is required.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Ryan Daniels: Inside Harley Reid's contract talks and the multi-million dollar offers on the table
It wasn't quite high-powered Wall Street execs in Armani suits, marching in to close a billion-dollar deal — but the stakes, in a footy sense, were just as high. Harley's Melbourne-based manager Nick Geischen rolled into town, and while he didn't utter the words 'Show Me the Money', he didn't need to. The phrase was emanating from his $24 million smile. It's been a hectic week in Harley-world, with a somewhat surprising shift in the situation. Earlier this year, the Eagles put forward multiple contract options to Harley's team. Three, five, seven-year deals — a pick-your-own-adventure approach. Nothing came of it. which had people thinking — he's gone. Even before the Eagles drafted him, there was talk Harley would bail. That the Eagles would be better off trading the pick. Victorian journalist Sam McLure now famously declared 'they won't pick him, Mitch (Cleary)' — suggesting West Coast would be better off passing on one of the most prodigious talents the draft has seen in years — just to avoid the inevitable messy exit. It's always been perceived as a matter of when Harley will leave, not if . Then, the twist. Geischen had come bearing gifts — a proposal for West Coast. An 11-year deal. $2.2 million per year, on average. $24 million all up. The largest deal in AFL history. More money per year than Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins. Unprecedented numbers across the board. While it sounds like monopoly money, in 11 years, $2.2 million won't be as crazy as it sounds right now. By then, Harley will be 32 and potentially edging out of his prime — but with the growth of the AFL's salary cap, he might end up a bargain at some stage. Remember, back in 1994 Alastair Lynch signed a ten-year deal for $1 million — at $100,000 per season, people lost their minds at the money. By the time Lynch retired, he was woefully underpaid. As part of this proposed deal, Harley would have the option to leave after two years. If not, he'd be here until the end of 2037. Let that sink in. In 2037 we might actually have flying cars and robot slaves. Or we'll be slaves to the robots. I'll be 54 years old. Bring me a pair of warm slippers, a glass of prune juice, and cap it off with a few episodes of Murder She Wrote. Maybe my idea of what it's like to be 54 is a little dated — but you get the point — 2037 is an eternity away. Harley's people bringing this to the table signals his intention to stay — if terms can be agreed. So, what's changed? Nothing, really. All along we've heard Harley, the Eagles, even his management declare the young midfielder was taking his time, happy in Perth. In recent weeks Reid's form has elevated, he's exhibiting an edge, leadership around the club. He's forming strong bonds with teammates. My understanding is he's told Andrew McQualter he wants to stay. At 20, he's living on his own, cooking, cleaning, he's got a dog. He's handling the media/fan pressure superbly. Some 20-year-olds can barely remember to flush the toilet. This kid is settled. Credit to the Eagles for an environment where a country kid from the other side of Australia feels comfortable, happy. Saying that, nothing is guaranteed here. The new proposal isn't quite a gun to the head, an ultimatum — but it's not miles off it. This is how keeping Harley Reid looks. If that's too rich, there will be other suitors. It's a fairly simple situation — other than the overwhelming commitment. That's the holdup, if there is one. No one saw this coming. Not even the Eagles. The deal, or at least the sheer enormity of it, has blindsided West Coast. They've taken a pause. In the month following the contract proposal landing in their inbox, there's been no response. Some meals take a lot longer to digest, and this is like going to a steak joint and being served an entire cow. Don't panic Eagles fans, they know what they have in Harley. They love him. If they believe they've found the sun which all other planets can rotate around, that he could be their Dustin Martin, their Patrick Dangerfield, then they need to do it. Maybe it's a slight variation of this proposed deal, a happy compromise, but they can't get too cute here. Harley could be the AFL's best player within a few years. Yes, a deal that long, with that kind of financial commitment comes with risk. In my opinion, it's a risk worth taking. This kid is special. He wants to be here and he's box office. After a disastrous four years at the West Coast Eagles, the signature of Harley Reid would be a significant victory and a sign that things might finally be turning around. Years of endless chat about a move back to Victoria for Harley, now the Eagles have a chance to keep their man. They just need to sign on the dotted line.
Daily Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Hawks respond to Harley Reid rumour as fresh details emerge
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has provided some insight on whether the Hawks really are 'obsessed' with Harley Reid. Reports earlier this week stated the Hawks were 'obsessed' with Reid and now the Hawks coach has had his say. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. 'I saw the word obsessed and I went in the next day and I said to a couple of list guys, 'Are we obsessed with Harley Reid?' and then I saw some of the numbers that were getting thrown up and I said 'What is happening here?' And they're like 'just don't even read the papers',' Mitchell said on SEN's Fireball this morning. 'He's obviously a good player but he's contracted to West Coast and he's having a pretty good year. A bit like 'Daysy' getting sat on in his first game back, it's a bit like, 'oh', I mean this 20-year-old is getting sat on most weeks now. He's a good player.' Harley Reid's future remains up in the air. (Photo by) Earlier this week, AFL Media's Cal Twomey reported that the Eagles have put what would be 'the biggest deal in AFL history' to the star youngster, keeping him at West Coast through to the end of 2037 with its value totalling over $20 million. Channel 7's Ryan Daniels said the deal was far more eye-watering with Reid potentially set to pocket $2.2m per season for 11 years. 'The proposed deal would be for two years initially, with an option for Harley to extend that to 11 years, until the end of 2037, and be worth around $2.2 million per season. The total number would likely be north of $24 million,' Daniels said. Reid's manager, Nick Gieschen, has recently arrived in WA and attempted to downplay the reported offer. 'I don't think anyone is ready to be the highest-paid player in the comp,' Gieschen said. 'But nah, we're working through it. Nothing's finalised. We're in negotiations but we'll take every day as it comes. 'Harley is enjoying his time here and like I said before, we're talking about what the future looks like. We're having discussions with West Coast and we'll go from there. 'Nothing in concrete, we're just talking at the moment and we'll see where we get to.' With easily the biggest deal ever seen in AFL history reportedly on the table, it's tough bidding for any Victorian clubs to swoop in and lure him away. 'If I'm really honest I actually don't know. I don't have anything to do with the financial stuff. It doesn't seem right for us. At some point that's going to happen isn't it? Whether it's in this CBA or the next one, but the money in the game continues to go up,' Mitchell said. Harley Reid could be set to sign the biggest contract in AFL history. (Photo by) 'The average salary continues to be higher and higher and higher and as they should be. Everyone wants to play the game and the spectacle of what we're putting on at the moment is pretty good. I think the players deserve what they're getting, it's just how you attribute that. 'With our midfield as an example, being pretty workman-like and making sure that we're consistent across the board. If you're putting $2 million into one player, that makes it a little bit more difficult of course.' As rumours surrounding Reid's future continue to swirl, Eagles skipper Liam Duggan believes the young star will stick with the club. 'I'm really eager for Harley to sign. I mean, he's going to be paid very well regardless of where it is, and he's going to get a long-term deal regardless of where it is,' he said on Triple M. 'But all I can speak of at the moment is that his investment in what we're going after at the moment is second to none. 'He has been so dialled into what we're going after as a footy club at the moment, he's been very vocal in that amongst the group, the way he's playing, you can see that in the way that he's playing, and I think our supporters would be able to see that in the way that he's going about his footy right now.' Originally published as Hawks respond to Harley Reid rumour as fresh details emerge
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Eagles back $20-million man Reid to handle the hype
The numbers are eye-watering, but West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is confident Harley Reid won't feel a burden upon becoming the highest-paid player in the AFL. Reid's contract status has hit the headlines again this week after his manager Nick Gieschen flew to Perth to have further talks with the Eagles. They have tabled a number of different-length deals to Reid, whose current contract runs out at the end of 2026. One is reportedly worth in the vicinity of $24 million over 11 years, with Victorian clubs also willing to offer long-term deals in excess of $2 million a season. Reid is already one of the most talked about players in the league, but can the 20-year-old Victorian handle being the highest paid? When the $20 million-plus figure was put to McQualter, the first-year coach was quick to compare it to how much he himself was paid during his final season as a player in 2012. "My 45,000 on the Gold Coast," McQualter quipped with a laugh. When asked about the burden of Reid becoming the highest-paid player in the league, McQualter said the pressure came from being the best, rather than the money being earned. "For me, I'll take the contract out of it, because I think it's irrelevant," McQualter said. "It's when you're one of the best players in the competition - there's a burden that comes with it, and that's for anyone. "That's what comes with being a great player in our competition, and it's the skill of being able to cope with that. "We train that from a mental perspective. It's challenging, but the best players embrace it, and they go about their business, which I'm sure Harley will be one of those." Reid will be the centre of attention yet again when he lines up in Saturday's western derby against Fremantle. The star midfielder has hit top form in recent weeks, and his performance in the round six derby last year will still be front of mind for Fremantle fans. Reid tallied 19 disposals, seven clearances and three goals to lead the Eagles to an upset 37-point win, and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said he's well aware of the "threat". "He's a good player. He's one of the most exciting, promising young players in the comp," Longmuir said. Given it's a Fremantle home game, Reid is set to cop plenty of boos. Reid has a tendency to get caught up in battles with rival players or the crowd, but he showed a great deal of restraint and maturity during last week's 49-point loss to Richmond. "I think he certainly embraces it," McQualter said of the booing. "It's a lot for a young man to have that attention, but he seems to cope with it pretty well, and he's getting better. "Last week, when he got thrown into a security guard, he just went and gave a fist bump to the security guard and moved on, which was pleasing to see." The numbers are eye-watering, but West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is confident Harley Reid won't feel a burden upon becoming the highest-paid player in the AFL. Reid's contract status has hit the headlines again this week after his manager Nick Gieschen flew to Perth to have further talks with the Eagles. They have tabled a number of different-length deals to Reid, whose current contract runs out at the end of 2026. One is reportedly worth in the vicinity of $24 million over 11 years, with Victorian clubs also willing to offer long-term deals in excess of $2 million a season. Reid is already one of the most talked about players in the league, but can the 20-year-old Victorian handle being the highest paid? When the $20 million-plus figure was put to McQualter, the first-year coach was quick to compare it to how much he himself was paid during his final season as a player in 2012. "My 45,000 on the Gold Coast," McQualter quipped with a laugh. When asked about the burden of Reid becoming the highest-paid player in the league, McQualter said the pressure came from being the best, rather than the money being earned. "For me, I'll take the contract out of it, because I think it's irrelevant," McQualter said. "It's when you're one of the best players in the competition - there's a burden that comes with it, and that's for anyone. "That's what comes with being a great player in our competition, and it's the skill of being able to cope with that. "We train that from a mental perspective. It's challenging, but the best players embrace it, and they go about their business, which I'm sure Harley will be one of those." Reid will be the centre of attention yet again when he lines up in Saturday's western derby against Fremantle. The star midfielder has hit top form in recent weeks, and his performance in the round six derby last year will still be front of mind for Fremantle fans. Reid tallied 19 disposals, seven clearances and three goals to lead the Eagles to an upset 37-point win, and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said he's well aware of the "threat". "He's a good player. He's one of the most exciting, promising young players in the comp," Longmuir said. Given it's a Fremantle home game, Reid is set to cop plenty of boos. Reid has a tendency to get caught up in battles with rival players or the crowd, but he showed a great deal of restraint and maturity during last week's 49-point loss to Richmond. "I think he certainly embraces it," McQualter said of the booing. "It's a lot for a young man to have that attention, but he seems to cope with it pretty well, and he's getting better. "Last week, when he got thrown into a security guard, he just went and gave a fist bump to the security guard and moved on, which was pleasing to see." The numbers are eye-watering, but West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is confident Harley Reid won't feel a burden upon becoming the highest-paid player in the AFL. Reid's contract status has hit the headlines again this week after his manager Nick Gieschen flew to Perth to have further talks with the Eagles. They have tabled a number of different-length deals to Reid, whose current contract runs out at the end of 2026. One is reportedly worth in the vicinity of $24 million over 11 years, with Victorian clubs also willing to offer long-term deals in excess of $2 million a season. Reid is already one of the most talked about players in the league, but can the 20-year-old Victorian handle being the highest paid? When the $20 million-plus figure was put to McQualter, the first-year coach was quick to compare it to how much he himself was paid during his final season as a player in 2012. "My 45,000 on the Gold Coast," McQualter quipped with a laugh. When asked about the burden of Reid becoming the highest-paid player in the league, McQualter said the pressure came from being the best, rather than the money being earned. "For me, I'll take the contract out of it, because I think it's irrelevant," McQualter said. "It's when you're one of the best players in the competition - there's a burden that comes with it, and that's for anyone. "That's what comes with being a great player in our competition, and it's the skill of being able to cope with that. "We train that from a mental perspective. It's challenging, but the best players embrace it, and they go about their business, which I'm sure Harley will be one of those." Reid will be the centre of attention yet again when he lines up in Saturday's western derby against Fremantle. The star midfielder has hit top form in recent weeks, and his performance in the round six derby last year will still be front of mind for Fremantle fans. Reid tallied 19 disposals, seven clearances and three goals to lead the Eagles to an upset 37-point win, and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said he's well aware of the "threat". "He's a good player. He's one of the most exciting, promising young players in the comp," Longmuir said. Given it's a Fremantle home game, Reid is set to cop plenty of boos. Reid has a tendency to get caught up in battles with rival players or the crowd, but he showed a great deal of restraint and maturity during last week's 49-point loss to Richmond. "I think he certainly embraces it," McQualter said of the booing. "It's a lot for a young man to have that attention, but he seems to cope with it pretty well, and he's getting better. "Last week, when he got thrown into a security guard, he just went and gave a fist bump to the security guard and moved on, which was pleasing to see."
