GOLD Coast whiz-kid Matt Rowell will be with the Suns until at least 2023 after signing a two-year contract extension.

As revealed by AFL.com.au in June, the Suns were racing towards new deals for Rowell and fellow top-two pick Noah Anderson before the COVID-19 contract freeze.

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The No.1 draft pick started his career in scintillating fashion before dislocating his shoulder in round five against Geelong, requiring surgery. 

Speaking to AFL.com.au, Rowell said he could not be happier with his first year at the Suns. 

"The young group we've got, I can see if we keep improving and working hard, we can have some good success here," Rowell said. 

"We're all dedicated and all the people at the club are dedicated to get success, that's the main thing." 

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Rowell took the competition by storm upon the season resumption in June, polling a maximum 10 votes in the AFL Coaches' Association award in successive victories over West Coast, Adelaide and Fremantle. 

"I was just loving playing footy," he said. 

"I was happy with how I was playing, and the team was going well and whenever you're winning you're loving footy." 

Then the right shoulder injury came in the opening quarter against the Cats for the robust midfielder. 

Rowell, who averaged 21 disposals and kicked six goals in his first four career games, will get out of his sling at the end of the week.

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"It's about getting the shoulder stronger," he said. 

"Eventually I'll be able to start running and then it's just about getting fitness back. 

"In the meantime, I'm just setting up goals to get better, whether that's in the gym or just how I can see the game differently. 

"I've had a positive mindset since it's happened." 

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There is no timeframe on Rowell's return, although it's almost certain he won't play again in 2020. 

The 19-year-old is currently being used as an opposition analyst by Gold Coast and is on the bench on game days, delivering messages from the coaches' box to the players. 

Rowell also touched on a number of other subjects:

Major influences
"Hugh Greenwood has been really good for me. We've struck up a pretty good relationship, and because we play in the midfield we are constantly training together and talking about stoppages. He's just a really good guy outside of footy that I can talk to. He's come from basketball, so he's got a pretty cool background." 

His family
"Mum and my little sister are with him at the moment. They were able to quarantine in NSW (when the Suns were in a hub) for two weeks. It's been really good for me to have them up here at the moment while I got through the initial stages. Dad and my older sister are still in Victoria. It's tough for them."

Left-handed table tennis
"When I was in Wollongong (hub) we had a table tennis table set up and I thought "why not", so I started having a go with my left hand and I actually got all right towards the end and started beating a few boys and they got pretty pissed off with it, haha. It was a bit of fun. There weren't too many happy players when I beat them."