From Cairns to Geelong, how Jack Bowes kicked his career goals to be signed up by the 2022 premiers

News that former junior star Jack Bowes has been signed by the 2022 premiers Geelong has the local AFL fraternity cheering his success. Read what his former club said.

News that a former Cairns Australian rules player has been snapped up by the 2022 premiers Geelong has the local AFL fraternity cheering his success.

Cairns Saints AFC president Craig Hards said he was thrilled to hear Jack Bowes, who played in their juniors, had agreed to move from the Gold Coast Suns to the Geelong Cats.

It is understood that Bowes was courted by several AFL clubs and had narrowed his choice to Hawthorn, Essendon and Geelong, before deciding on the Cats.

The former Suns midfielder who played 83 games in the red, gold and blue, was the number seven draft pick.

The club needed to balance their salary cap, so in exchange for releasing him the Suns received a future third-round selection opportunity.

There’s no doubt Bowes has put in the hard yards since his junior games at the Manunda Hawks before switching to Cairns Saints where in 2014 aged 16, he made his senior debut.

Following a sterling junior career in the 4870 postcode, he moved to the Gold Coast in 2015 and after some outstanding performances was the 10th pick in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft.

Jack Bowes of the Gold Coast Suns has been signed by the 2022 premiers, the Geelong Cats as the number seven draft pick. Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Hards said that the Bowes, 24, was a talented player, possessed a positive approach to training and supported his teammates.

Hards said he always knew the youngster would kick his career goals to a senior level.

“Jack was a great junior player,” Hards said.

“He had a really great attitude and always had a desire to go further.

“At the Cairns Saints we have a real sense of satisfaction when we see our players succeed like this.”

Hards said Bowes always made a point of coming by the club when he visited Cairns.

“He’d always come by and help out and train with the juniors,” he said.

“This news of him joining the Cats is great and I know a lot of it is due to the wonderful people in our club, coaches, committee and supporters.”

Cairns Saints president Craig Hards said the whole club will be thrilled by the news a former player Jack Bowes has been signed the 2022 premiership side Geelong. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Hards said all the club’s younger players will be inspired by Bowes’ news.

“The fact that Jack is moving to such a great club will encourage all our players,” he said.

“It’s great to see young kids go all the way to the top.”

Meanwhile, Hards said he had a personal reason for cheering on Bowes move into the blue and white jersey.

“I’m a Geelong supporter,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him play for them in 2023.”

Geelong also signed Greater Western Sydney’s Tanner Bruhn, 20 who played 17 games in 2022.

Originally published as From Cairns to Geelong, how Jack Bowes kicked his career goals to be signed up by the 2022 premiers