Cazalys clash preseason incentive for Bowes
JACK Bowes admits he has put in the extra yards this preseason to make sure he is in the Gold Coast Suns team for Round 1 in Cairns.
The Cairns Saints junior played 11 games in his rookie season and was in the team when the Suns travelled to the Far North to face the Western Bulldogs in the second half of 2017.
But, with the annual Cazalys Stadium clash pushed forward to the opening game of the campaign this year due to the Commonwealth Games, the 19-year-old said he was desperate to be in the seniors for the Cairns game.
“It was a great experience to play up in Cairns last year in front of my friends and family. It is something that I will never forget,” Bowes said.
“Obviously it is Round 1 this year in Cairns so it has really pushed my initiative and given me a real incentive to train hard in the preseason and hopefully earn a spot.”
Bowes had his tonsils removed in mid-November after multiple bouts of tonsillitis and was out of action for two weeks. But since then he has hardly missed a beat under new coach Stuart Dew.
“It has been pretty tough,” Bowes said. “It has been pretty hot and we have been trying to adjust to the new game plan.
“The intensity and workload of the preseason goes up from that first year. I did about 70 per cent of it last year, up to about 90 now.
“You also feel like you have more expectations as a secondyear player but I am really enjoying it.”
North Melbourne play the Suns at Cazalys Stadium on Saturday, March 24 at 6.25pm.