AFL OUTER EAST: Premiership forward Michael Fowkes joins Powelltown
The first major signing has landed at AFL Outer East Division 2 club Powelltown ahead of 2021, with a powerhouse premiership forward joining the fold. But the coach says there are more names to come...
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AFL Outer East Division 2 outfit Powelltown has landed its first big signing just days after it unveiled its new senior coach.
Dual premiership forward Michael Fowkes has crossed from Premier club Wandin, following Jarrod Bayliss’ recent appointment to the top job.
The pair will again become teammates after a long and storied history together on the footy field.
The powerhouse forward kicked the ton playing for Wandin in 2013, before playing an integral part in the club’s 2015 premiership side, both alongside Bayliss.
They later linked up again Park Orchards for the 2017/18 seasons during Bayliss stint as senior coach, where Fowkes booted 41 majors from 28 appearances and featured in the Sharks’ 2017 Division 3 premiership side where he took the best on ground honours.
Bayliss said Fowkes needed little convincing to again line up with his brother-in-law on the footy field.
“Michael’s been a little bit flat the last couple of years and he’s looking forward to getting back and enjoying his footy … he had a good chat with the president and decided it was the right fit,” Bayliss said.
“Obviously we’ve followed each other everywhere – he came to Wandin with me from Torquay and made his way from Wandin to Park Orchards together and now here we are together again at Powelltown.
“Hopefully we can continue the trend.”
The incoming Demons coach believes the AFL Outer East’s Division 2 would bring out the best in Fowkes.
“I reckon the level of footy is going to suit him, and he’s getting a little bit older now,” Bayliss said.
“It’s a good time for him to take a bit of a step back and he found that, and it’s a little bit more relaxed for him to try and get a bit more of enjoyment out of it in his last couple of years.
“He’s got the runs on the board and everyone at the club’s really excited to have him – he’s definitely going to be a big asset and he’s ready to rock and roll.”
Fowkes will also reunite with former Wandin and Park Orchards teammate in ex-AFL big man Daniel Gorringe, who subsequently joined the fold this week. Bayliss said the club signed the duo with a focus on building depth and support through the middle and in attack, after the club fell a kick short of a grand final last year.
Spearhead Dean Roy and league best and fairest ruckman Ben Wratten are set to receive a much needed boost with the latest additions.
“They’re blokes that we reckon will be a good fit and help them make that next step,” he said.
“It’s just to put some strength around those boys and the other good players to fill the gap and help them take that next step.”
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