‘Historic sum’: Saints’ monster $2 million offer for Matt Rowell revealed

St Kilda reportedly had a crack at Suns star Matt Rowell by indicating it’d be prepared to offer him a “historic” deal worth $2 million per season.

Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reports the Saints threw their hat in the ring for the Victorian onballer by dangling the mouth watering sum, even though no official offer was made.

Rowell this week re-signed with the Suns for two more years until free agency in 2027 on a deal reportedly worth around $1.2 million per season.

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That came despite the midfielder meeting with Collingwood, Western Bulldogs, Geelong and Essendon at the end of last season.

Foxfooty.com.au’s Ben Cotton reported the Dogs were confident they were likely to be Rowell’s preferred landing spot had the 23-year old pursued a move back to Victoria.

St Kilda reportedly had a crack at Matt Rowell (Picture: Michael Klein) Source: News Corp Australia

But the cashed-up Saints, who earlier this year tabled a mega $1.7 million-a-season contract to Giant Finn Callaghan and are favoured to land Blue Tom De Koning on a similar deal, also emerged as a contender.

“St Kilda (was willing to offer) him crazy money — up to $2 million a season,” Ralph said on Fox Footy on Friday night.

“It never got to those official offers, we know he met with four clubs and St Kilda was not one of those. I think he still took the St Kilda seriously.

“But he was also aware of the fact that if they paid him $2 million, how do you build a premiership list around him?

“Of course we know that Tom De Koning offer is $1.7 million and they offered Finn Callaghan $1.7 million as well. It is crazy money, maybe you could call it desperation from St Kilda.

“He would absolutely transform that football club and it shows you how much cap space they have. But he would immediately be the highest paid player and it would’ve been a historic sum.”

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Hawthorn legend Jordan Lewis, who notoriously played for successful sides where stars took less money to stay together, labelled it “irresponsible” to commit so much salary to one player.

“I don’t think one player can change the future of a football club,” Lewis said in response to Ralph’s report.

“I think it’s irresponsible to invest that much of your salary cap into one particular player and an inside mid.

“If it was $2 million a season, I’m surprised he didn’t take it.”

It comes as the Tasmanian Devils prepare to enter the competition in 2028, provided their new stadium gets built, in a key bargaining tool for players coming out of contract given the 19th AFL side is set to splash huge cash to try and lure stars.

“It’s interesting, we’re seeing really long contracts. But now with Tasmania coming in, players are just signing the two years so they come out (of contract) at the right time and have really good bargaining power,” Lewis added.

“Or maybe there’s someone in his ear trying to lure him to Tasmania?”

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