JACK Bowes assured himself of a start in the JLT Community series opener next week and placed a deposit on a senior debut in Round 1 with a standout performance in the Suns’ intra-club match on Saturday morning.
The No. 10 draft pick, the first player from either of Queensland’s two AFL academies to go in the top 10, played across half-back alongside skipper Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij.
The match featured the first choice offence in yellow against the premier defence in white, with the midfielders split up.
Coach Rodney Eade confirmed Bowes would play against Brisbane at Broadbeach next week and hinted the Cairns product’s name was on the board for the premiership opening Q-Clash against the Lions on March 25.
“I thought he was very impressive today,’’ he said.
“He was very calm under pressure, he makes good decisions so he is progressing very well and has put himself in the frame for Round 1.’’
The highlight of the match for Suns fans was the successful return of former No. 1 draft pick and 2014 club champion David Swallow, who has managed just six games sin two years due to ongoing knee problems.
Stars Tom Lynch and Jack Martin, who finished first and third in last year’s club championships, were standouts while Touk Miller and Pearce Hanley were also prominent.
There were no major injuries. Trent McKenzie left the field with what appeared to be a calf injury, but was later diagnosed as a bakers cyst which will likely only sideline him for a week.
Top draft pick Ben Ainsworth had a bump on the hip and went off at halftime, as did Adelaide recruit Jarryd Lyons who had a minor Achilles tendon soreness.
Ex-Docker Michael Barlow was given leave to attend a wedding while Gary Ablett (shoulder), Michael Rischitelli (knee) Peter Wright (finger) Jarrod Harbrow (ankle) and Alex Sexton (wrist) did not play. All expected to be available at some point during the pre-season.
