Sam Lowson returns to Coburg armed with AFL recruiters’ feedback
Sam Lowson wasn’t surprised when he was overlooked in November’s drafts and the re-signed Coburg forward will look to attack 2020 armed with some valuable feedback from AFL recruiters.
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Coburg star Sam Lowson is ready to prove his doubters wrong after being overlooked in last month’s AFL drafts.
The crafty small forward’s blistering early-season VFL form put him on the mid-season draft radar but an ankle injury cruelled his chances.
Lowson said feedback from AFL recruiters had given him plenty of ammunition to take his game to another level in 2020.
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“I guess I came out of nowhere really and they just want to see me do it again, play consistent footy and show all my attributes,” he said.
“(Recruiters) wanted to see me do it again, exactly what I did this year, and to prove I’ve come back from injury with no dramas.
“It’s fair enough, I missed pretty much the whole year and when I came back I played some pretty average games.
“I wasn’t too surprised that I didn’t get picked up, but now it’s about proving everyone wrong, working harder and making everyone regret it.”
The 24-year-old was touted as the No.1 pick in May’s mid-season draft after kicking 16 goals and averaging three tackles in the opening eight games.
After turning down offers from rival clubs, Lowson has re-signed with Coburg for 2020, the Lions’ strong off-season recruiting playing a big role in his decision.
“The club is trying really hard to make a difference next year and not just getting through when it’s going to be tough without our ground,” he said.
“We’re really striving to have a massive year and that made my decision a lot easier as well.
“I love the club as well, all the boys down there are such good blokes and there’s such a good culture.”
The Lions have made a strong statement of intent since finishing 2019 with just two wins.
Delisted Richmond key forward Callum Moore has signed on, while Tigers VFL leaders Jacob Ballard and Tom Silvestro have also crossed to Piranha Park.
Lowson said he was ready to step up to a leadership role if called upon but was confident the club had a strong group already in place.
“It’s always good to try and take on a leadership role because it helps you develop as a player as well,” he said.
“I’ll do whatever the club needs me to do. If that’s be a bigger leader on and off the field, then that’s what I’ll do.
“Even though we’re a young group we’ve added (Ballard and Silvestro) to help out, so I think we’ll have a really strong leadership group this year.”
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