Jack Bowes is loving life at his new club Geelong, as many journeymen seem to do at the more relaxed semi-country atmosphere down the highway from the bright lights of Melbourne. He is part of the next generation of Cat midfielders, none of whom have yet stamped authority on their position as an A-grader, but all of whom still have some potential left to fulfil. He has been of limited use for fantasy purposes, with an occasional ceiling score but with questionable job security and a few fitness concerns. Perhaps he needs another year in the system to hit his straps.
Jack Bowes is loving life at his new club Geelong, as many journeymen seem to do at the more relaxed semi-country atmosphere down the highway from the bright lights of Melbourne. He is part of the next generation of Cat midfielders, none of whom have yet stamped authority on their position as an A-grader, but all of whom still have some potential left to fulfil. He has been of limited use for fantasy purposes, with an occasional ceiling score but with questionable job security and a few fitness concerns. Perhaps he needs another year in the system to hit his straps.
Jack Bowes is one of a number of younger Geelong midfielder who need to take the next step for the Cats to return to contending after a poor 2023.
Jack Bowes has had a pleasing year statistically, in somewhat of a breakout to become Gold Coast's most prolific half back. He waxes the ball often on the rebound with Brandon Ellis, with Oleg Markov more of a burst player who saves himself up for line-breaking runs than an accumulating workhorse. The Suns are a decent side this year, contending for the eight though probably not quite good enough at this still-early point in their current build. Players like Bowes hitting their straps is an excellent sign for their future prospects, and he looms as a fantasy premium to come.
Quiver full for Bowes
Crafty midfielder Jack Bowes increased his disposal and tackle output in year three, registering a career high 27 touches in a tagging role on Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe in round 2. A right thigh injury suffered against the Giants in round 11 saw him miss a two month stretch. Fit and firing from day one of preseason, Bowes will aim to fulfil his vast midfield talent with an improved fourth season. A ball magnet throughout his junior career, it remains to be seen whether he can translate that play in the oft-struggling Suns. Selection as a late round upside pick has merit.
Jack Bowes has completed a move from flanks to midfield in 2019 as many had foreseen, spending last week tagging Nat Fyfe and registering eight clearances across the first two weeks. Not that the Suns had many more options, but in Bowes they have a young player with plenty of upside and he is starting to live up to his potential in the more lucrative new role. Those fantasy coaches in draft leagues who picked him up late will be well pleased with his numbers and his positioning, and today is another opportunity to post a startable score.
Arrow up from Bowes
We didn't see much improvement from Jack Bowes before the byes, and he was starting to look like a classic case of second-year syndrome when he pulled a calf in round 13 after some single-digit-disposal shockers. His last three games, however, included his first two 25+ possession efforts. He started most often on the flanks, usually back but sometimes forward, with his contested rate jumping nine points to 45% and his metres gained per disposal up by five to 17 from an extra three kicks per game. It's a bit misleading to say that the Suns are starting again from square one with their off-season list cull, because in some ways they never left it. They must commit to kids like Bowes playing full time midfield in the seniors, because they don't have any other options. His first two seasons are correlated with those of Lachlan Weller, which would imply he's due at least another ten points of natural progression in season three. He's worth a late pick, though a reach in middle rounds would be daring.
