Matt Rowell’s Brownlow Medal Win and AFL Player Movement Landscape
Gold Coast Suns midfielder Matt Rowell has claimed the 2025 Brownlow Medal in a stunning upset, surpassing Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, who was widely considered the favorite. Rowell’s victory marks a significant moment in his career and adds intrigue to the upcoming AFL player movement period, particularly with the introduction of the Tasmania Devils as a new expansion club.
Rowell’s Unexpected Brownlow Victory
Matt Rowell secured the Brownlow Medal with 39 votes, becoming only the second player in AFL history to reach that total in a single season, trailing Patrick Cripps’ 45 votes from the previous year. His win was largely attributed to strong performances in the early rounds of the season, specifically in games against Adelaide, Sydney, and the Western Bulldogs.
Interestingly, Rowell didn’t receive a single coaches’ vote in any of the three games where he earned the maximum three votes from umpires. In round four against Adelaide, he polled three votes despite a 17-disposal game, showcasing his impact through a game-high 10 score involvements and eight tackles. Against Sydney in round seven, he again secured three votes with 16 disposals and one goal, contributing eight tackles and 347 metres gained. Finally, in round nine against the Western Bulldogs, 20 disposals and a goal, including a dominant third quarter, sealed his fate.
Tasmania Devils and Player Movement
The impending arrival of the Tasmania Devils in 2028 is set to significantly impact the AFL player movement landscape. Club officials have begun discussions with players across the competition, including high-profile names like Nick Daicos (contracted until 2029) and Matt Rowell (contracted until 2027), to gauge their interest in joining the new club.
The Devils have been actively showcasing their plans to player managers, highlighting potential lifestyle benefits, including proximity to Hobart and the new training and administration centre in Kingborough. The club is hopeful of securing agreements with players at the complete of the current season to join their ranks in 2028.
Other players out of contract at the end of 2027 include Lachie Ash, Ollie Henry, Beau McCreery, Tom McCartin, and Logan Morris, all of whom could be targets for the Devils.
Coaching Appointment and Recruitment Strategy
The Tasmania Devils aim to appoint a senior coach by the end of the current season, even though the coach may not begin full-time duties until early 2027. Club officials recognize the importance of having a coach in place to attract players considering a move to Tasmania.
CEO Brendon Gale emphasized that whereas the club won’t exclusively target Tasmanian players, those from the Apple Isle who are a good fit and available at the right price will be strongly considered. Gale stated the club is prioritizing players who are enthusiastic about joining and embracing the new environment: “We seek good players, but you want players who want to be here. You want players who are going to embrace us.”