TSL’s biggest star notches up double century

HE’S Tasmanian football’s most decorated player and Jaye Bowden will hit another milestone on Saturday.

The three-time Alastair Lynch Medal winner and twice Peter Hudson medallist plays his 200th senior game for reigning premier Glenorchy against the Tigers at the Twin Ovals.

MAGPIE magician Jaye Bowden says Glenorchy can still win the premiership this year.

The three-times TSL best player is preparing for another career milestone on Saturday, his 200th senior game, against the Tigers at the Twin Ovals.

Bowden, 28, has built an extensive list of achievements over the journey, unmatched by any other player in the TSL.

When he runs out for his double century he will still be 18 games behind his father.

Michael Bowden was a star for Glenorchy in the 1980s, when he played in three premierships, won a best and fairest (1989) and went on to coach a Magpie premiership in 2008, in which Jaye played as a 19year-old.

Jaye has eclipsed his dad for achievements.

He has won the Alastair Lynch Medal as the competition’s best player three times (it was called the Tassie Medal when he first won in 2012), the Hudson Medal as the league’s leading goalkicker twice and five Glenorchy B&Fs.

Of all the accolades, last year’s premiership meant the most to jumpin’ Jaye.

“It was special because I got to play with my brother Tyler [24],” he said.

“We grew up playing footy in different age groups, so to play in a premiership together after the disappointment of losing in 2015 was special.”

Jaye is not eyeing his dad’s games mark of 218.

“It doesn’t faze me. I’d like to win more premierships,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to play in some pretty good teams. The individual stuff that comes along is great.

“You don’t really get that opportunity unless you play in successful teams.

“We went through a rebuilding phase when Aaron [Cornelius, coach] came.

“We had success last year and we’re just trying to keep that team success coming, which we play for.”

Bowden is confident the fourth-placed Pies could again challenge for the flag.

“At our best we are capable,” Bowden said. “Each premiership team generally gets a little bit of luck, whether that’s injury or whatnot, but we’ve shown that at our best we can match it with anyone.

“We’ve just got to have a good month of footy and if we play our best there’s no reason why we can’t.”

His best individual haul of 12 goals was against the Tigers, but he’s not hunting a bag this time, just team cohesion.

“We are building our momentum into finals,” he said. “We are going to play Launceston in the first week, so we need to not just fall over the line into the finals, we need to take momentum in, playing good footy.”