2021 Player Reviews: #17 Jake Bowey

[Demonland]

Melbourne’s good luck charm who, playing the role of the small defender with deadly accurate disposal, rose in his debut season from the Casey Demons to consolidate a place in Melbourne’s premiership team. He played in the club’s last seven matches including the winning grand final - all were winning games.

Date of Birth: 12 September, 2002
Height: 176cm
Weight: 69kg

Games MFC 2021: 7
Career Total: 7

Goals MFC 2021: 0
Career Total: 0

Games CDFC 2021: 8
Goals CDFC 2021: 0

Premiership Player

[WalkingCivilWar]

Would be forgiven if you thought it was his 107th game and not his seventh. 

[durango]

His career has started with a rising star award 2021 and a premiership, his father dreamed of playing in finals and a premiership with the Saints and his son in his first season has reached the holy grail of the AFL/VFL.

I think he also has a chance of moving into the midfield in the long term and getting an other rising star award in 2022.

[Bitter but optimistic]

“ When the stars line up
And you catch a break
People think you're lucky
But you know its grace

It can happen so fast
Or a little bit late
Timing is everything “

[Maldonboy38]

I find it really hard to fully understand this young fella's part in our flag. I didn't follow Casey as much as I have in other seasons so I knew very little about his qualities or form. He was a total revelation. 

Composure under pressure and high-efficiency, high-effectiveness kicking at 18 years old!! Unfair to be honest. I can't see his position under threat at all because he plays a role lots of players begin in - half back flank - but his kicking skills give him an edge over all other contenders. To think how rubbish we were by foot for so long, and now we have Salem, May and this bloke.

Definitely see him in the midfield rotations at some point, but Sparrow and Jordon are a long way ahead of him. Probable 200 game player.

One of my favourite GF moment - in the 4th quarter I think - Bowey gets chased down from behind, he gets a quick handball forward - sprints forward to retrieve his own ball leaving the lazy Bulldogs player in his wake -  and delivers inside 50. Brilliant.

[John Crow Batty]

His elite disposal, coolness and decision making pushed Hunt out. Bowey and Salem across half back makes our transition play rock solid on either side of the ground.

Edited October 22, 2021 by John Crow Batty

[Allus Monk]

It's an interesting club he's in - premiership player who's never kicked a goal in the AFL. I wonder how many others are in it?

I see Jake Lever has only 3 career goals, and none playing for Melbourne.

[DeeZone]

I remember in last years draft JT gave Bowey the biggest wrap because of his toughness, skill and footy IQ. I can now see why but I believe that his rise has even surprised our FD team. Great effort Jake Bowey, keep it up young man and you might get the chance to play in another in your 32nd game.💕👌❤️💙

[Bobby McKenzie]

6 hours ago, Maldonboy38 said:

I find it really hard to fully understand this young fella's part in our flag. I didn't follow Casey as much as I have in other seasons so I knew very little about his qualities or form. He was a total revelation. 

Composure under pressure and high-efficiency, high-effectiveness kicking at 18 years old!! Unfair to be honest. I can't see his position under threat at all because he plays a role lots of players begin in - half back flank - but his kicking skills give him an edge over all other contenders. To think how rubbish we were by foot for so long, and now we have Salem, May and this bloke.

Definitely see him in the midfield rotations at some point, but Sparrow and Jordon are a long way ahead of him. Probable 200 game player.

One of my favourite GF moment - in the 4th quarter I think - Bowey gets chased down from behind, he gets a quick handball forward - sprints forward to retrieve his own ball leaving the lazy Bulldogs player in his wake -  and delivers inside 50. Brilliant.

That GF moment you mentioned was mine too.As cool as a cucumber  he handballed to himself and gathered loose ball and deliver perfectly.(Like all his other disposals) This kid is a gun. Just turned 19 which is hard to believe.

[Demon Disciple]

He reads the game so well, he knows what to do with it an hour before he gets it, then he hits it lace out to a teammate.

If you’re good enough you’re tall enough. He seems like he’s 200cm tall.

[Nascent]

Possibly the best kick on our list already. I think in due course we will see him on a wing and delivering the ball inside 50 post his 'apprenticeship' in the backline.

[Bay Riffin]

surprised how composed he was in the heat of finals. actually looked a step above at times in reaction and speed of hand. Watching the Brisbane game he was lightning quick early and so clean under pressure. Early against the cats he was sublime, sides stepping, reading the play and delivering lace out from the backline. Such a great find.

Geez we had two big roles to replace in Thomlinson and Hunt, with unproven back ups behind them, and Petty and Bowey have come good without being proven at the highest level. extraordinary really.

[dee-tox]

Lucky bar steward!

[Deeoldfart]

Bowser seemed to come from nowhere as a short term ‘fill in’ when Hunty was injured, but form made it impossible to drop him a few weeks later (and that’s no mean feat, because Jayden’s form had been very solid before injury).

He’s just a very ‘complete’ footballer, and when he develops a man’s body over the next couple of pre seasons, the future looks extremely bright ……. a 200 gamer you’d expect.  Another Jason Taylor ‘special’.

[willmoy]

This player will need to be extraordinarily good in the coming season.Now I know he is. All I'm saying is that he is that good that the only fault I can see is the lack of experience combined with the opposition's best HFF is his destiny each week.

[Biffen]

He should consider retiring. 

A perfect career.

 

 

[Jontee]

I am amazed by his awareness of opponents and the play.

It is a very rare event when he is tackled and didn't know it was coming.

[Lil_red_fire_engine]

Super proud of the little red fire engine. Cant wait to see how far his potential can take him with multiple preseasons of strength and endurance. His composure on the big stage and the significant improvement in his defensive aspects so quickly astounds me. 

Edited October 24, 2021 by Lil_red_fire_engine

[jnrmac]

41 minutes ago, Jontee said:

I am amazed by his awareness of opponents and the play.

It is a very rare event when he is tackled and didn't know it was coming.

I thought in the 3rd qtr he was streaming out of defence and received a HBall but wasnt aware he was about to be tackled. He looked surprised but still managed to get a Hball away before following it up with another clearing possession.

[adonski]

On 10/24/2021 at 12:32 PM, jnrmac said:

I thought in the 3rd qtr he was streaming out of defence and received a HBall but wasnt aware he was about to be tackled. He looked surprised but still managed to get a Hball away before following it up with another clearing possession.

It's funny cause he's incredibly composed whilst still picking up the pace of the game. He'll feel like he has all the time in the world in year 2.

Imagine two of your first home & away games being against West Coast in Perth, against Jeelong in Jeelong, followed by three finals. A baptism of fire. 

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad]

Kid needs to keep developing, could get second year blues. Let’s not expect too much and jump on him next year if his development slows, as long term, he will be valuable 

[picket fence]

The Little Red Fire Engine was Blitzkreigenly good.

[adonski]

 

[Mazer Rackham]

If Bowey went out right now and played frisbee with his dog and did both ACLs, pulled both hammies off the bone, snapped his tibula, got plantar thingummy in both feet, suffered concussion, got tennis elbow, athlete's foot and writer's block, and never played another game for MFC ... he would still go down as a hero and club legend for his immaculate career

[adonski]

4 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

If Bowey went out right now and played frisbee with his dog and did both ACLs, pulled both hammies off the bone, snapped his tibula, got plantar thingummy in both feet, suffered concussion, got tennis elbow, athlete's foot and writer's block, and never played another game for MFC ... he would still go down as a hero and club legend for his immaculate career

Hopefully he can avoid the writers block at least, I'm keen to read his post career autobiography as a 19 year old