Norwood’s Jay Polkinghorne takes screamer to match teammate Ned Bowman’s incredible mark in SANFL U18s

First it was Ned Bowman getting some serious hang time. Now teammate and cousin Jay Polkinghorne has taken a screamer of his own. Compare the pair and vote for whose is better.

There must be something in the air at Norwood.

Or, as Redlegs under-18s coach Alex Newell noted, “it must seem like all I do at training is let blokes take hangers’’.

Three months after the athletic Ned Bowman soared high to take one of the greatest marks ever seen at junior level, his Redlegs’ under-18s teammate and cousin Jay Polkinghorne has hauled in a similarly spectacular grab.

Playing against South Adelaide in the wet at The Parade last Saturday, 18-year-old Polkinghorne – a powerful, 192cm key forward – leapt high from a standing start to sit on the shoulders of Panther Harry Wadewitz in the third quarter and pluck a mark of the year contender.

Polkinghorne’s skyscraper has divided his teammates over whose mark was better – his or Bowman’s sensational screamer over a pack of players, including Eagles ruckman Griffyn Hansen, on the wing at Woodville Oval in Round 3.

Norwood high flyers Jay Polkinghorne (left) and Ned Bowman at Redlegs training this week. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Footage of the 188cm Bowman’s soaring, juggled mark – which was estimated to have been taken upwards of four metres off the ground – sent social media into overdrive.

The pair seem certain to fight it out for SANFL under-18s mark of the year.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see a better mark than Bowman’s – when he took it back in April I declared it was the best mark I’d ever seen – but I think the vote among our players is about 60-40 in Ned’s favour at the moment,’’ Newell said.

“There could be a little bit of recency bias but Polkinghorne has a fair bit of support for his mark because of the wet weather and the fact he took off from a standing start, which made it even more incredible. Like Ned’s mark, Jay’s was spectacular.’’

Soaring must be a family trait, with Polkinghorne and Bowman, 17, being second cousins.

Bowman’s mum, Jodie, is a first cousin to Polkinghorne’s dad, Ben.

Norwood’s Ned Bowman flies high to take his spectacular mark against the Eagles in Round 3. Picture: Supplied.

“I guess that adds a little bit of uniqueness to it all,’’ said Polkinghorne.

Bowman’s dad, Lachlan, was a fine athlete himself, playing 150 league games for Norwood from 1991 to 2000 and being a member of its 1997 premiership team.

As for marking bragging rights, Polkinghorne believes Bowman has him covered.

“I’d have to say Ned’s mark was better,’’ he said, adding he probably took a better personal mark for Prince Alfred College two weeks ago.

“I was really happy with my mark on the weekend, particularly given how wet it was, but I’ve never seen anything like Ned’s mark, how high he got and the way he climbed the pack.’’

Bowman described Polkinghorne’s mark as “outstanding’’ but added, “I’d like to think mine was slightly better’’.

Norwood’s Jay Polkinghorne soars high for his super grab against South Adelaide.

SANFL Now commentator Adrian Pickles called both marks live and described them as the best he had seen, with “daylight’’ third.

“They were both unbelievable marks, easily the best I have seen,’’ he said.

“Both boys not only jumped remarkably high but they spun around in the air. If I had to vote for one I’d probably give the nod to Bowman by a whisker.’’

The high-flying pair are strong contenders to be drafted this year.

Half-forward/wingman Bowman, who attends St Peters College, has had his elite athleticism likened to Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee.

Jay Polkinghorne (left) and Ned Bowman jostle for a mark at Norwood training. Picture: Brett Hartwig

He was a late addition to South Australia’s under-18 squad this year and kicked three of the team’s six goals against Western Australia.

“Ned has some serious X-factor traits and is someone that you love going to the football to watch,’’ Newell said.

Polkinghorne, from Prince Alfred College, missed state selection after suffering a pre-season knee injury.

But his recent form has been outstanding.

He propelled Norwood to victory against South on Saturday, kicking four goals from 16 disposals while taking five strong marks.

“Jay has an unbelievable set of hands and is one of the most beautiful set shots at goal I’ve seen,’’ Newell said.

Both Norwood boys are from the country, with Polkinghorne hailing from Penong on the Nullarbor Plain and Bowman from Orroroo in the mid-north.