Midfield revelation
Bowes shows worth in stirring Suns display
SUNS coach Stuart Dew says Jack Bowes is a student of the game who will show his quality by spending more time in the midfield in 2019.
Bowes was among Gold Coast’s best in their 13.8 (86) to 7.11 (53) preseason win over Brisbane on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.
The visibly larger 21-yearold has spent most of his first two seasons playing halfback but provided a glimpse of the impact he can make in the middle of the ground. He looked to have ample time on the ball, was clean by hand and foot and fierce in defence.
“He has been good,” Dew said of Bowes who avoided being put on report after an off-the-ball incident with Brisbane’s Alex Witherden.
“He played a bit off halfback last year so we made the decision we are going to play him in that midfield.
“He is going to play some really good games and he will learn a lot as well. Towards the back end of last year he played on some really good players. He is a student of the game, he loves it and it will be good for his learning.”
Key forward Peter Wright provided a performance that will have Gold Coast coaches believing he can fill the void left by Tom Lynch.
Wright kicked a goal and worked up and down the ground while taking some strong marks overhead.
“It was good to see. At times we have looked really tall there but I think Daysy (Sam Day) plays quite well at ground level and also Chris Burgess as well. To see Pete clunk a couple, he has worked on that, he should take come confidence from it.”
Around 4000 spectators turned out and Dew said he hoped the team showed supporters enough to rally behind the Suns this year.
“It was good synergy,” Dew said. “We have got a lot of new faces but we have done a fair bit of work.
“Hopefully our supporters see we have some really good players who are starting to gel, they want to be here and are invested.”