Jack Bowes has a meaningful connection to his new home in
The third-year midfielder will don the guernsey most recently worn by retired SUN Matt Rosa in 2019, who made a significant contribution to Bowes’ own football development in their time together in the red and gold.
“I was pretty fortunate I had Matt Rosa as a mentor of mine over the past couple of years at the club,” Bowes told SUNS TV.
“He came up to me at the end of last year and offered the number to me and I was really grateful to have the opportunity to take it.
“It’s also actually my favourite number and I got to wear it a bit in junior footy so yeah (I’m) really grateful Matty gave me the chance to wear it.”
Bowes is among the contingent of first to fourth-year players who have returned to the club for pre-season training.
The 20-year-old says it’s been a welcoming experience to get back into the football program with colleagues both new and old.
“It’s been a really good vibe around the club,” he said.
“Obviously there’s a lot of new coaches here and it feels like you‘re trying to impress new people at the club and a lot of fresh faces which is good.
“They’re all really good people and I’m really enjoying the vibe at the moment, a lot of hard work has been put in and the boys have come back fit.”
Bowes has spent the last two weeks getting to know his new teammates, particularly the three state-league signings in Josh Corbett, Chris Burgess, and Sam Collins.
While Collins has previously been on Fremantle’s list, neither Corbett nor Burgess
But Bowes isn’t counting that against either of them, commenting on how their professionalism and high standards have eased their transition to professional football.
“Obviously the mature-age boys are all key-position players and they’re really fit at the moment too which is a great positive for the club.
“It’s hard to split them up at the moment but Josh Corbett ran really well in the 2km (time trial) and came third.
“He’s been pretty athletic out on the track too kicking goals and taking strong marks.”
After missing four games last year to a lingering quad injury, Bowes is now fitter and able to attack pre-season unhindered.
“(I’ll) just keep trying to tick off some goals and keep progressing as a player on and off the field,” he said.
“I’ll sit down with the coaches and go through the same stuff I usually go through in the pre-season.
“The program has obviously changed a bit with Alex Rigby coming on board and the boys have got a lot of trust in him that we’re going to get the work done and come back fit and stronger for next year.”
