Latest news with #Rowell
Courier-Mail
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
AFL 2025: Matt Rowell says he hasn't changed approach after AFL umpire contact memo, Jay Clark and David King analysis
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Matt Rowell and the Suns are on a 'crash course with the AFL' over umpire contact after the star midfielder again had multiple close shaves during their 41-point win over Essendon on Saturday. During the week, the league announced it would crack down on careless player-umpire contact, with suspensions to potentially be dished out to repeat offenders. Rowell has been fined four times across the past two years, with another misstep to possibly cost him a ban. 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. And after coach Damien Hardwick midweek said 'look out' if Rowell was to be banned for another discretion, the prolific contested ball-winner said on Saturday he hadn't taken any steps to alter his approach to the contest. In a post-game interview with Fox Footy's Sarah Jones, Rowell was abrupt when questioned about the umpire contact situation. Matt Rowell had more close shaves with umpires on Saturday afternoon. 'I haven't changed anything,' he told Jones after Gold Coast's 18.7 (115) to 11.8 (74) win. Asked if he had spoken to Hardwick on any tinkers to his style of play that would prevent contact, Rowell was again stern in his response. 'I'm just going to keep doing me,' he said. Herald Sun chief football writer Jay Clark remarked that the situation was 'red rag to a bull', with Gold Coast clearly unhappy with the AFL's sudden shift. 'Gold Coast is on a crash course with the AFL over this matter. There were so many close shaves ... as he (Rowell) says, he's not going to change anything,' Clark told Fox Footy's Super Saturday Live. 'The AFL wants the players to change their behaviour on this front. It's red rag to a bull. 'They (the AFL) said they don't really want to suspend players for this, but if they're going to do it a bit brazenly and not modify their behaviour, maybe they have to.' X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Two-time premiership Kangaroo David King said it was the second time this year Hardwick had taken aim at league headquarters, predicting a suspension for Rowell if there was to be another instance of umpire contact in the coming weeks. 'I reckon it's the second middle finger for the year (from) Damien Hardwick ... and this one is straight at Andrew Dillon, and I don't think he'll take it well,' King said. 'I think that if there is contact to be made in the next few weeks, he will get a suspension, because they've warned, and they've ignored. 'It's a pretty serious thing to be doing in the back half of the year.' Western Bulldogs icon Brad Johnson added: 'He (Rowell) is walking the fine line. We all know what the outcome is now, so it's on Rowell and the Gold Coast to either change behaviour, or it could hurt them at the end of the year.' X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson during the match broadcast suggested Rowell and Hardwick were on the same page with their displeasure about the AFL's mid-season crackdown. 'I think sometimes you're an extension of the coach in terms of the messaging, and when (he said) 'I'm just going to do what I do', and that means 'I'm going to dance with the devil' in these particular plays,' he said. 'Obviously, they're not happy as a club about it, and they've told him to go out and play his natural game, almost to the point where 'I'm going to put myself in this spot, and what will be will be'. 'I think it's a stance, often when you hear a player talk like that, it's coming from the coach, and a bit of a line in the sand ... 'we're not going to cop this anymore' type of attitude, and I think Dimma has instilled that in some of his players. 'This particular issue seems to have sparked something in Dimma's profile.' Four-time flag-winner Jordan Lewis said: 'I think, if I'm the AFL watching that, I am not too pleased, to be honest. But that's the risk they want to run.' X SUBSCRIBER ONLY At half-time of Bombers-Suns, Lewis expressed concern about Rowell's approach amid multiple examples from the first half at Docklands where the hard-headed midfielder had multiple close shaves with men in green. 'He either didn't see the memo that came out, (or) he hasn't been spoken to by club officials,' Lewis said on Fox Footy. 'Seriously, you cannot set up like that. You cannot run the risk of then getting another fine and a potential suspension. 'I just cannot believe after the week that he's had to then set up behind the umpire and run the risk.' Lewis believed it meant the AFL would be more likely to suspend Rowell as a result of unchanged behaviour. 'No doubt, whatsoever. The umpires have sent out a memo, they've fined Matt Rowell last week $5,000,' he said. 'If he doesn't get the message from those two things, maybe the next thing is a suspension.' Originally published as AFL, Suns on 'crash course' over ump contact as star bristles in blunt interview
The Advertiser
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Suns urged to channel Rowell in big AFL milestone
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has urged the Suns to play a Matt Rowell "type of game" in the star midfielder's 100th match. 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. Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has urged the Suns to play a Matt Rowell "type of game" in the star midfielder's 100th match. 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. Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has urged the Suns to play a Matt Rowell "type of game" in the star midfielder's 100th match. 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.
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Suns urged to channel Rowell in big AFL milestone
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has urged the Suns to play a Matt Rowell "type of game" in the star midfielder's 100th match. 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.
7NEWS
03-07-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
AFL chief executive doubles down after putting players ‘on notice' for umpire contact
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon says the league's crackdown on umpire contact was a necessary lever to pull after putting the playing cohort 'on notice' didn't elicit a response. In a move made this week, players can now be sent to the tribunal and potentially suspended for accidental umpire contact if they have transgressed four times over a two-year period. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: AFL cracking down on umpire contact. Track records in the current two-year period have also been retrospectively fitted to any player who has already made contact with an umpire in that time, meaning there are some players who already have three incidents to their name, and others with four. Speaking to media ahead of Toyota's Good For Footy Round at the State Library on Thursday, Dillon insisted there had been no change in policy, but stood by the crackdown. 'There hasn't been a change in policy,' he said. 'It's part of the tribunal guidelines that there are multiple financial sanctions that we can refer to the tribunal, and that's been in place for a number of years. 'We wrote to the clubs at the start of the year, and also in April, advising that we may do that, just to put the players on notice. And then we hadn't seen a change in behaviour, so then I advised the CEOs at our meeting on Tuesday afternoon, and all of the CEOs completely understood the position we were taking.' Players who infringe for a fourth time can still escape with a fine at best, but will be suspended at worst, based on discretion. 'I don't want to go into the hypotheticals, and it would only be in the most egregious case,' Dillon said, when asked if he could see anyone being suspended for accidental contact. 'But what we want to do is avoid the contact where it's avoidable; we're not talking about accidents, we're talking about where it's careless. 'We do know that there are some clubs that have only had one (umpire) impact this year and there are others that have had multiple, so we know that it can be done.' Gold Coast midfield bull Matt Rowell is one of three players who have already reached four incidents of umpire contact in the past two years, the latest of which came last weekend against the GWS Giants last weekend. Rowell was grappling with Toby Greene at a centre square stoppage and accidentally nudged Greene close enough to the umpire that he tripped on the Giants skipper's heel. Dillon said he was comfortable with that being cited, and that Rowell has to be more aware in that scenario. 'Matt's been fined for that a number of times — you have to be aware of where the umpire is going, it's really clear,' Dillon said. 'All of the careless contacts have been happening around stoppages and it's really clear where the umpires go.' Speaking at his mid-week press conference on Thursday, Suns coach Damien Hardwick was seething at the timing of the crackdown. 'If it leads to a suspension, look out, from our point of view,' Hardwick told reporters on Thursday. 'I know we're the Gold Coast Suns. And don't get me wrong, Matt Rowell is a superstar. 'But if this was spoken about with Nick Daicos, Collingwood would tear the place down. 'Let's sit there and understand what we're talking about here. 'We can make changes about umpire adjudication, but we've been calling out for change to the tribunal for a period of time. 'Why can we, with the swipe of a pen, change one and not the other?' The AFL changed the rules after 63 incidents of players making careless contact with umpires this season. All have resulted in a financial sanction. Hardwick said most incidents were at centre bounces. 'What can you tell me about the centre bounce of the ball?' he said. 'It goes anywhere, so it's really really hard for the players ... if the ball bounces sideways, they're going to move. 'Have the AFL spoken to the AFL Commission and asked: 'Can we, for the remainder of the year, take away the centre bounce and throw it up and see if there's any significant change in the data?' 'Some of those ones against Rowelly, what he's getting fined for, are quite laughable to be perfectly honest. 'We understand the health and safety of the umpires is important. 'But I think we can look at speaking to the commission about getting rid of the bounce and throwing it up.' The AFL said in the entirety of last season, there were 56 incidents of players making careless contact with an umpire, following only 20 such cases in 2023.
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
AFL called out for 'disappointing' ump contact changes
The AFL has been slammed for dramatically increasing penalties for contact with umpires, placing a number of players at risk of suspension. The AFL Players' Association has called the move "disappointing", saying it wasn't consulted before the sudden change ahead of the upcoming round. Starting on Thursday night, a player charged with careless umpire contact for a fourth time or more during the past two seasons can be referred directly to the tribunal and face possible suspension. Fines have skyrocketed recently, with the total amount to exceed a record $1 million over the past 24 months by the end of this season. While agreeing umpires need to be protected, interim AFLPA boss Ben Smith believed the match review officer and tribunal system is "not working and needs to be reviewed and revised". "The safety of umpires is a critical component for the game, and it's one the players wholeheartedly agree with," Smith said. "However, unilaterally deciding to increase the penalties on the playing group to greater extremes without consultation is disappointing. "The AFLPA wrote to the AFL weeks ago to request a forum where the players can sit down and genuinely discuss these issues holistically with the AFL. "There are multiple factors that go into the number of fines increasing for careless contact with an umpire, such as additional umpires on the field and greater congestion around the ball, and the players feel the threshold of what constitutes incidental or accidental contact between players and umpires continues to shift. "They ultimately believe these fines aren't proportionate to the acts committed." Newly re-signed Gold Coast star Matt Rowell has already been fined three times this season for umpire contact. A fourth offence would likely send Rowell for an unprecedented tribunal appearance. This season there have been 63 careless contact fines, with 56 last year and only 20 in 2023. A change mid-season could possibly impact the Brownlow Medal, with Rowell expected to poll well. Essendon coach Brad Scott warned the AFL was already asking a lot of the playing group. "I just hope there's a deep dive being done into umpire positioning for umpires on the ground," he said on Wednesday. "Player fines are getting out of control at the moment. "I understand the reasoning for it. The AFL has had their hand forced on this one ... everyone's got to take some responsibility for this, not just the players." Bombers players took part in drills at training on Wednesday to ensure they aren't making unnecessary contact with umpires. "The ball-ups are the problem," Scott said. "The incidental umpire contact around the ground doesn't happen very often."
