Suns scorching in the wet
Brilliant Bowes brings it home for Gold Coast
WHEN Cairns’ Jack Bowes played his first AFL game at Cazalys Stadium late last year in his rookie season, he looked like a boy against men at times.
The history books will show he collected eight touches in the Gold Coast’s loss to the Western Bulldogs, four kicks and handballs, with his impact on the contest minimal at best.
Then Suns coach Rodney Eade admitted the Cairns Saints junior would be disappointed with his output in his first return to where he grew up as an AFL footballer.
They say a week is a long time in football and in the eight months since that game, the athletic midfielder has transformed from a teenager taking on the big boys to the emerging star of the game many believed he would be.
Bowes, in front of his friends, family and footballers he grew up playing with and against, produced his comingof-age performance at the elite level, kicking the match-sealing goal as well as picking up 21 quality touches in the Suns’ 7.13 (55) to 5.9 (39) victory over North Melbourne.
Standing in the Cazalys Stadium change rooms after the victory, Bowes’ development from skinny kid to strongly built midfielder was evident as he had a smile from ear to ear, while his dad Wayne hugged everyone within sight.
The 20-year-old revealed a full preseason of training was the catalyst for his outstanding start to his second season.
“I was lucky enough to put in a preseason, put in some time up on the wing and through the midfield,” he said.
“It has given me a lot more confidence.”
New Suns coach Stuart Dew could not hide his pride in the way Bowes performed after starting in defence and then moving on to the wing.
“He played a magnificent role,” Dew said of Bowes.
“He’s so competitive, whether it’s on the footy field or table tennis at the club or basketball, he just wants to win.
“(He’s) a pleasure to coach.
HE’S SO COMPETITIVE, WHETHER IT’S ON THE FOOTY FIELD OR TABLE TENNIS AT THE CLUB OR BASKETBALL, HE JUST WANTS TO WIN. (HE’S) A PLEASURE TO COACH GOLD COAST SUNS COACH STUART DEW ON JACK BOWES
“He really gave us some drive.”
Dew said Bowes’ foot skills stood out on a tough night but also gave him credit for the way he threw his body into the fray.
The Suns could not kick a goal in the third term as North powered on four, led by skipper Jack Ziebell, as the game was in the balance at the final change in driving rain.
Final-quarter goals to Bowes and Jarryd Lyons sealed the Suns’ win.
“Honestly, it was a good feeling to kick the goal in the last quarter,” Bowes said.
“I was lucky enough to be in the right position at the right time and finished it off.
“I have great memories of this ground from playing juniors and it is good to get another one.”
Before Saturday night’s win over North Melbourne, the Suns last tasted victory in the Far North when Karmichael Hunt stepped up to pilot home his shot from 35m to steal a win after the siren against Richmond in 2012.
The heaviest showers of the day hit in the half-hour before the ball was bounced as Cazalys Stadium looked like a puddle for most of the first term.
Once the rain stopped in the second quarter, the ground seemed to drain reasonably quickly as the game was allowed to return to a more freeflowing style.
Cairns junior Jarrod Harbrow mopped up plenty of rushed Kangaroos entries deep in defence in a solid performance.
Earlier in the evening, Darcy Macpherson got the Suns on the board with a clever snap through traffic.