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AFL youngster wins the internet with 'moment of 2020'

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Suns youngster Matt Rowell takes notes on the sideline.
Suns youngster Matt Rowell sent social media into a frenzy with this image of him taking notes on the sideline. (Image: Fox Sports)

The Suns and Essendon played out the second AFL draw of the 2020 season on Wednesday night, but it was youngster Matt Rowell’s presence on the sideline that had social media in a frenzy.

The result is the second draw of the season after Richmond and Collingwood couldn't be separated in the AFL restart.

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But social media couldn’t help but concentrate on Rowell’s impeccable form on the sideline.

Rowell hasn’t played since he dislocated his shoulder in Round 5, but he was still able to win over fans with his shift to a coaching role.

Footage of the 19-year-old smiling and scribbling away in a note pad during the match had AFL fans admiring his passion.

It was enough for AFL fans to announce it was one of the best moment to come out of the 2020 season.

Unfortunately, Rowell’s tactical insight wasn’t enough to lift the Suns to a victory, despite a draw.

Suns miss match-winning kick

Gold Coast young guns Ben King and Izak Rankine have both missed potential match-winning chances as the Suns and Essendon played out an AFL draw.

Zaharakis finished with three goals but also injured his quad kicking his final major, finishing the match on the bench.

James Stewart, in his third game of the season, also kicked three goals for the Bombers.

King had two goals for the Suns, as did Lachie Weller and Sam Day, while Kyle Langford had two for Essendon including a fourth-quarter effort which had put the Bombers ahead in the final term.

Dylan Clarke of the Bombers handballs during the round 11 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Essendon Bombers.
Dylan Clarke of the Bombers handballs during the round 11 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Essendon Bombers. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Zach Merrett topped the possession charts with 31 disposals with Andrew McGrath (26), Dylan Shiel (26), Jordan Ridley (23) and Darcy Parish (20) all getting more touches than the Suns' highest possession winner in Hugh Greenwood (18).

Suns' defender Charlie Ballard claimed 10 intercept marks while Parish and William Snelling epitomised the Bombers' pressure with eight and seven tackles respectively.

The result moves Essendon to ninth with 22 points from 10 matches while the Suns, who had lost three straight heading into this match, sit 12th with 18 points from 11 matches.

"We had a couple of opportunities to, I guess, steal the win given they were in front at that point of the game but it's frustrating," Suns coach Stuart Dew said.

Suns leave the field at full time during the round 11 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Essendon Bombers.
Suns leave the field at full time during the round 11 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Essendon Bombers. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

"We've been in some close ones and some of the things that we've learned from those came out at the end.

"We were able to get the opportunities but we weren't able to get over the line so here we are again. It's a hollow feeling."

Bombers coach John Worsfold was also left with mixed emotions from his team's performance.

"We made it hard for ourselves early. It was a fairly even game and all of a sudden we were three or four goals behind," Worsfold said, adding Zaharakis was looking at a few weeks on the sidelines.

The Bombers next face St Kilda on Sunday at the Gabba while the Suns take on Richmond at the same venue on Monday.