Rowler reaches 150 SANFL games

By ZAC MILBANK

Dual Woodville-West Torrens premiership utility Sam Rowland is quite happy to celebrate his milestone in the shadow of Eagles’ premiership captain Luke Thompson.

Preparing to play his 150th Hostplus SANFL League game against Sturt on Saturday, Rowland is chuffed to share the spotlight with the club’s longest-serving skipper, who will reach game No.250.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 30-year-old said he relishes flying under the radar as one of the competition’s most reliable defenders, having featured in the Eagles’ 2020 and 2021 flags.

Originally from the Balaklava Football Club, Rowland followed in his father’s footsteps by playing in an A-grade premiership at the age of 17, in 2011.

Playing against men at such a young age held him in good stead when he arrived at Oval Avenue as a top-age Under-18, having accepted an invitation from talent manager Darren Hams.

The Eagles’ No.24 then showed tremendous patience and persistence as he played nearly three full seasons in the Reserves before making his League debut in 2015 under coach Michael Godden.

Since a breakthrough 2016 campaign, Rowland has not played in the seconds since 2019 such is his supreme consistency as he took his game to another level under dual premiership mentor Jade Sheedy.

Representing the West End State team in 2021, he was also awarded the Bob Quinn Medal in the same season as best afield on Anzac Day.

Heading up Golden Grove High School’s Girls Football program, the Physical Education teacher is now chasing a third premiership medallion with the Eagles in 2024.