Geelong Falcons forward Dan Lowther reflects on his draft year, injuries and Lara connection

Dan Lowther hasn’t had a lot go his way, but the athletic tall is still on the draft radar - and has interest from the Cats. He reflects on his injuries and the people who have shaped him.

Dan Lowther opens up on his draft year. Picture: Scott Sidley/AFL Photos

Geelong Falcons draft prospect Dan Lowther shares the same name as Geelong’s AFLW coach, and he could be at the Cats in some capacity this pre-season.

Geelong and Collingwood have both interviewed the rangy key forward in the lead up to the draft.

Geelong VFL and Werribee have also reached out, and if things don’t go his way next week, the Lara product is set to hone his craft with the Cats’ reserves.

“I’m going to go to Geelong for a VFL pre-season and also go back as a 19 year old at the Falcons and aim for the mid-season if it doesn’t happen this year,” Lowther said.

“It is all a waiting game now but whatever happens, I’ll continue to work hard and I’ll keep chasing this dream until it happens.”

The son of Lara premiership captain Shane, Lowther has grown in more ways in recent years.

Lowther used to be a midfielder but has shop up a whopping 26 centimetres in the last four years, now measuring a tick below two metres tall.

While that growth spurt made him a more attractive proposition for AFL clubs, it also led to hamstring tendinitis which wiped out his entire pre-season.

Lowther in action for the Falcons. Picture: Scott Sidley/AFL Photos

“My hamstrings weren’t keeping up with my bone, so it caused this real sharp pain,” Lowther said.

“I’ve gone through a lot of growing pains but this pre-season was definitely the worst. It was annoying not being able to get out on the park in pre-season and run like everyone else and train like everyone else was.”

Lowther didn’t rip games to shreds from his return in round three, but his athleticism and overhead marking caught the eye of AFL recruiters.

He showcased those traits in the Falcons’ losing final against GWV Revels where he finished with 12 disposals, three contested marks and two goals.

His mobility saw him receive a Victorian state combine, where he ran an impressive 8.55-second agility test.

“When ‘Corra’ (Falcons coach Paul Corrigan) said I was invited I was over the moon. I was surprised in a way but I stick to a hard work ethic and I try and outwork a lot of people and try and definitely work hard in all I do,” Lowther said.

Lowther is never satisfied – he is always looking to improve in one way or another – but he is pleased with his efforts this season.

Lowther had some ups and downs this season. Picture: Mark Wilson

Lowther takes a grab. Picture: Scott Sidley/AFL Photos

“There was still some ups and downs throughout the year but I kept up on top of my rehab. Rehab was a big part of this year and I was very happy to play 13 games in the end and keep out there for the majority of it,” Lowther said.

“Where I was at the start of the year or last year, I am pretty grateful to end up with a state combine invite, a couple of interviews with clubs and that.”

“If I sit back and look at it now and how far I’ve come and how I’ve kept improving slowly over the year, I am pretty happy with how the year went. It was all about trying to get better each week for me, each day, but on game day I was just trying to stay positive.”

If Lowther doesn’t hear his name called, he will draw on the inspiration on the talent he shared the forward line with in Brisbane mid-season draftee Will McLachlan.

McLachlan was in a similar position to Lowther last year before returning to the Falcons in his 19th year and booting 26 goals in his first six games before being taken by the Lions.

“What he did, it inspired me a lot and if it doesn’t happen, I believe hopefully I can do that at some stage,” Lowther said.

“It was pretty special what he was able to do at the start of the year and ‘Pikey’ (Joe Pike) as well, his maturity and ruck craft was massive.”

Shane Lowther is Dan’s father.

Dan Lowther in action for Lara this year. Picture: Mark Wilson

LARA CONNECTION

Lara has played a big role in getting Lowther to the position he finds himself now.

Former Lara coach Shayne Stone gave Lowther valuable games in the seniors over the past two seasons, including a three-goal haul in their season-opener this year against North Shore.

Before that it was his junior coach Steve Handley.

During his time in the seniors, Lara spearhead Mitch Day, who has returned to Geelong Amateur this off-season, was a key mentor.

“He guided me through forward craft, one-on-one, positioning, all that stuff. He has been definitely huge for me,” Lowther said.

“My dad and Shayne Stone as well has been massive for me in my development. Giving me an opportunity at such a young age at senior level, that definitely set me up for this year having played against big bodies last year.

“I played forward, ruck and backline in the seniors last year, so giving me the opportunity in playing 10 or 13 games or whatever I played at senior level, that was huge for my development as well.”

And he wants to see them return to their former glory.

“Seeing my dad be the last premiership captain at Lara, just would love to see Lara back where it was when he played,” Lowther.

“Think I’m definitely going to stay loyal and stay at Lara if I don’t get drafted, because I really want to see that club be back where it was.”

Originally published as Geelong Falcons forward Dan Lowther reflects on his draft year, injuries and Lara connection