Showing no signs of a preseason wrist fracture from a car accident, Billy Gowers started with a bang with five goals in the first two rounds but was eventually dropped following the bye after a string of sub-10 touch outings. Relegated to the VFL, Gowers slotted 11 goals from his last seven games. Gowers will be fighting even harder for the last spot in the forward 50 this season as there's no way he can fit alongside Sam Lloyd and Josh Bruce in the pockets with the attacking spine already filled up. There's plenty of better options out there. Pass.
Gowers caught behind
Showing no signs of a preseason wrist fracture from a car accident, Billy Gowers started with a bang with five goals in the first two rounds but was eventually dropped following the bye after a string of sub-10 touch outings. Relegated to the VFL, Gowers slotted 11 goals from his last seven games. Gowers will be fighting even harder for the last spot in the forward 50 this season as there's no way he can fit alongside Sam Lloyd and Josh Bruce in the pockets with the attacking spine already filled up. There's plenty of better options out there. Pass.
Billy gets some numbers
Initially recruited by Carlton as a strong-bodied midfielder, Billy Gowers broke through at the elite level positioned as a full forward. Debuting in Round 1, Gowers was the Bulldogs' most targeted player inside forward 50, held goalless just once. The Dog became heavily relied upon for his aerial skills, rating elite for marks inside 50 and above average for marks. Billy Gowers’ role for the upcoming season will in large part be determined by those around him. The club has heavily invested in both Tom Boyd and Josh Schache, and both targets will hope for improved displays this season. Due to his less-than-ideal stature for a key forward role, the inclusion of Sam Lloyd will likely minimise the burden. Unless an unforeseen role change occurs, avoid Billy Gowers come draft day.
Second go for Gowers
After two quiet years on Carlton's rookie list mostly as a half back affected by injury and self-admitted immaturity, Billy Gowers joined the Bulldogs' VFL side and is now a senior player for the club. He averaged a goal per game from 15 disposals for 67 fantasy points at Footscray last season, playing as a forward to use his vertical leap to drag down five marks per game. Gowers looms as a sleeper pick, because the Dogs need a bit of height across half forward with Jake Stringer gone and the rest of their forward line seriously out of form last season. He should be given a chance in the JLT to push his way into the 22 for round 1, at which point the hype from salary cap leagues would be intense and would see him picked up late in your draft.
