Baynen Lowe brings up 50th game against Glenelg

Norwood midfielder Baynen Lowe will play his 50th SANFL game against Glenelg at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Lowe started the year as a forward – where he’d spent the previous two seasons at Norwood – before being thrust into the midfield in Round 5, where the 20-year-old Tasmanian had an immediate impact.

Since joining the midfield ranks, Lowe’s in career-best form, averaging 23 disposals from his last 10 matches, whilst continuing to hit the scoreboard with nine of his 11 in 2024 coming in the last month and a half.

In Round 12 he had a career high 28 disposals and 15 tackles against South Adelaide, and enjoyed three-goal games in Rounds 13 and 14 against the Bloods and Crows.

In that four-week block between Rounds 11 and 14 Lowe averaged 25 disposals, nine tackles, five clearances and kicked seven goals to help the Redlegs to four straight wins.

Lowe put his improvement down to completing his third senior pre-season at the club, and making the most of his shot in the midfield when it presented.

“I am only 20 years old, so I feel that each year I am going to take a step up,” he said.

“I always knew my best footy was in the midfield, where I can have more impact. Once I got that call-up into the midfield it was something that I had been working hard towards, and something that I really wanted to make the most of.

“Once I got those midfield minutes, it was something that I didn’t want to look back on.”

Lowe played as a small forward throughout his first two seasons at Norwood, where he was a part of the 2022 SANFL Premiership.

“Playing 50 games for the club and doing it with a Premiership amongst that is something I am proud of,” he said.

“The Premiership is the one moment that stands out, and while the State games (two in 2024 against the WAFL and VFL) aren’t counted in the 50, that’s another moment along the journey that I’m proud of.

“This season is the most that I have enjoyed my footy in a long time. Yeah, we are going well, but the group’s really tight, and everyone really enjoys playing alongside each other.

“Bringing up 50 games, how well the team’s going, and the way my footy’s going… that all rolls into why I’m enjoying my year this year.”

Lowe said he had been impressed by the depth of the senior squad, which has been tested in recent weeks with injuries to key figures such as Mitch O’Neill, Jacob Kennerley, Henry Nelligan, Connor McLean and Matt Panos.

“The squad is going super well, especially with a couple of injuries,” he said.

“That’s the thing that we are all proud of, that guys who are coming up into the senior group are performing, and those that are unfortunate to miss out on League selection are knocking the door down in the Reserves.

“Our depth is there, and the way we are playing right now, it’s enjoyable, it’s exciting and we have a really good balance between offence and defence.

“I hope it’s exciting to watch, because it’s certainly exciting to play.”

Lowe plays his 50th game at the same ground he made his debut against Glenelg in Round 1, 2022.

The third placed Tigers have lost three of their past four matches, but Lowe was expecting a tough encounter against the reigning SANFL Premiers.

“Glenelg can punish you pretty quickly if you are not switched on and ready to go, so they are a huge threat and still one of the benchmarks in the League,” he said.

The Redlegs welcome Pierce Seymour, Jack Saunders and Cooper Murley from a one-match suspension into an extended 25-man squad for the top-three clash.

In the Reserves, leading goal kicker Liam Robinson returns from an ankle injury in an important top of the table clash.

The League game gets underway at 2:10pm and Reserves from 11:30am, at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium.