AFL 2024: Geelong utility Jack Bowes reflects on his time at the Cats, trade move from Gold Coast

This Cat was forced out by his former club. He sheds light on his first 18 months at Geelong and the familiar face who has sparked their midfield.

Jack Bowes celebrates a goal with Ollie Henry. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong utility Jack Bowes says joining the club is one of the best decisions he has made, with the “autonomy” offered in the Cats’ program helping him thrive.

Bowes was infamously traded from Gold Coast at the end of the 2022 season with two years left to run on his deal because the Suns wanted to get his lucrative contract off their books.

The Suns Academy product arrived at Geelong along with pick seven, which became midfielder Jhye Clark, in exchange for a future third round pick after choosing the Cats over Hawthorn and Essendon.

Regarded as a trade heist at the time, Bowes has become a senior regular at the Cats, playing just one VFL game since arriving managing just five senior games in his last season at the Suns.

While the circumstances around his trade were “unexpected”, Bowes has relished his first 18-months at his second club, with the Cairns export even embracing the colder weather in Victoria.

After missing the first two games of the season with a corked calf, Bowes slotted straight back in as the substitute in round three and has flourished in his last three full-games.

The 26-year-old has averaged 22 disposals, five clearances, four inside 50s and a goal in that period playing primarily as an on-baller.

He said Geelong’s individualised approach to training has been a positive change for his footy.

Jack Bowes is loving his time at the Cats. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Loved every bit of it (my time here), it’s obviously one of the best decisions I think I’ve made. Me and my fiancee have really enjoyed the move down there at the moment, feel like we are connecting with the group on and off the field, building relationships and feel a lot more settled in at the moment,” Bowes said.

“The footy club has been absolutely incredible, they give us a lot of autonomy through our program. We are sort of able to drive our own careers and get the most out of ourselves. The support and the club has been brilliant so far.

“There is certainly a difference (between the Cats and the Suns’ programs) and I think there’d be a difference at all the other 18 clubs as well. Everyone sort of goes about it differently, whether that’s the right or wrong way, it’s up to them. But as an organisation we have complete buy-in by everyone and we are surrounded by plenty of good leaders and players and older and mature figures that drive that, which helps as well.

“It is sort of hard to compare what is going to be better for you but I feel like it is bringing out the best in me down at the Cats.

“Coming down I didn’t really know many people down here. We sort of jumped in the deep end but obviously the lifestyle, weather change is completely different. I actually enjoyed winter for the first time – I liked rugging up and playing in the cold night games and stuff like that, felt like I had more enjoy to expend which was cool.”

Bowes holds no grudges against the Suns and is focused firmly on the present, rather than in the rear view mirror.

Jack Bowes found himself back in the VFL for the majority of 2022. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“I guess at the end of the day I’m just trying to prove myself right because I know what I can do and I can perform and I just believe in myself really, I just want to get the most out of myself,” Bowes said.

“Whether that is at the Gold Coast or now at the Cats I’m just going to give it my best shot, enjoy competing and getting the most out of myself. I’m not really looking too far into the past.

“It was certainly unexpected leading into (the trade) and I’d obviously built so many good relationships with players and staff and stuff like that and had a really good connection with them.

“I still get along with a lot of them now but that’s part of the industry and I’m really grateful for my time there, but right now I am so grateful for the opportunity that the Cats have given me and I’m just grabbing that with both hands and running with it.”

In the win over Brisbane – a familiar foe given his time at the Suns – Bowes showcased his versatility, starting in the midfield and kicking an early goal before being swung into defence to cover for five-time all-Australian Tom Stewart.

“I’m happy wherever the team needs me, I see myself more as a utility than anything so hopefully that holds me in good stead for what’s best for the team,” Bowes said.

Bowes spent a year with new Geelong midfield coach Steven King while he was at the Suns.

Working closely with King since he returned Cats, where he played 193 games, Bowes said he has had a major impact on their on-ball brigade.

“He brings a real initiative approach to the game, real motivator for our group, sees the game really well and I think we are getting a lot of different players going through the midfield, few different mixes and things like that,” Bowes said.

“He’s been balancing that really well and I think we are playing a really good brand of footy under him at the moment.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong utility Jack Bowes reflects on his time at the Cats, trade move from Gold Coast