Will Rowlands returns to The Parade

The Norwood Football Club is excited to announce that Will Rowlands will be returning to the club for the 2025 campaign.

Originally from the Northern Territory, Rowlands played U16 and U18 football at Norwood while boarding at Rostrevor before being drafted to the Gold Coast Suns in last season’s AFL Rookie Draft.

He was delisted from the Suns at the conclusion of the 2024 season, and will join Norwood’s Senior Men’s program for 2025.

The powerful midfield-forward played 16 matches for the Gold Coast Suns in the VFL this season, kicking 18 goals and averaging 11 disposals and three tackles per game.

The 19-year-old kicked five goals against Casey in Round 15 and three goals against Brisbane in Round 5. He played multiple positions for the Suns, through the midfield, wing and half forward.

Redlegs General Manager of Football Richard Kelly welcomed Rowlands back to The Parade.

“We are excited that Will has made the decision to return with Norwood off the back of a stint in the AFL,” he said.

“Will is an explosive player, and will complement our forward line nicely.

“We feel we have a great mix in the forward line between tall forwards Jackson Callow, Finn Heard, Izaak Twelftree and Tristan Binder, and now we have welcomed Will Rowlands and Charlie Molan over the off season. Hopefully our forward line continues to be a strength of ours.”

Rowlands said returning to Norwood was an easy decision.

“I’m happy to be back in the red and blue, it will be a good season ahead,” he said.

“Norwood was a big part of my development through the U16s and U18s, and that’s the reason why I became a better player and teammate.

“Norwood was always the club I was coming back to when my AFL journey came to an end. I hope to get the most out of myself and my football.

“I’m keen to get stuck in, meet all the boys and the new coach.”

Rowlands enjoyed his time on the Gold Coast.

“It was short and sharp, but I learnt a lot over the course of a year,” he said.

“I was able to train alongside and learn from some good players. I lived with Mac Andrew for most of the year and I learnt a lot from him.

“I am excited to bring some more AFL experience to Norwood, even though it was short lived, but hopefully that can help the club in 2025.”

He moves back to Adelaide later this week, and is ready to join the Senior group for the first week of pre-season.

Rowlands is one of a number of players to recently return to the club following time in the AFL, including club captain Jacob Kennerley (Geelong), Jack Saunders (Hawthorn), Jackson Callow (Hawthorn), Alastair Lord (Essendon) and Cooper Murley (Collingwood).

“We never take for granted a player who returns to Norwood once their time in the AFL comes to an end,” Kelly said.