Ned Bowman Drafted to Sydney

Exciting Norwood forward Ned Bowman has been Drafted to the Sydney Swans with Pick 26 in the 2024 AFL Draft.

Bowman was taken late in the First Round of the AFL Draft on Wednesday night (November 20), heading to the 2024 Grand Finalists alongside Victorian forward Jesse Dattoli.

Bowman was one of two South Australians taken on Night One of the AFL Draft, with South Adelaide’s Sid Draper heading to the Adelaide Crows.

His father Lachie Bowman played 150 League matches for Norwood, including the 1997 SANFL Premiership.

The 186cm forward, Bowman, had an injury interrupted 2023 season, but burst onto the scene in Round 3 of 2024 when he took an absolute screamer at Woodville Oval.

The mark took the AFL world by storm, and propelled him into the State Team where he represented South Australia in all four matches during the U18 National Championships.

Bowman played 10 matches for Norwood in 2024, whilst also representing South Australia and his School St Peter’s College.

For the Redlegs, Bowman averaged 12 disposals, four tackles and two goals per game in 2024. He played just one match for Norwood in 2023, due to stress fractures in his back.

“I feel pretty shocked,” Bowman said when speaking to the Norwood FC on Thursday morning.

“It all happened very fast but I am really excited to get amongst it with the boys in Sydney and get started.

“The Sydney boys sound like a great bunch of blokes, there’s a few old St Peter’s boys over there as well like Will Hayward and Matty Roberts so it will be good to join the club alongside them.”

Bowman said it was a stressful night on the couch, waiting for his name to potentially be read out.

“It was a long night, I had immediate family and about 30-40 of my mates come around, it was a special night,” he said.

“We had a hint about Sydney, but nothing was locked in. It was so good to hear my name read out finally.”

Bowman said he was relieved that his name was read out on Night One, with the remainder of the Draft taking place on Thursday night.

“Waiting another 24 hours would have got pretty interesting I reckon, I am so happy to get it over and done with and relieve a bit of stress,” he said.

“It was a shock to go First Round, as I was projected to go between the 40-60 pick range at first.

“After speaking to a few clubs there was interest a little higher in the Draft, and I was in (Draft Expert) Cal Twomey’s Phantom Draft at Pick 30, which was a good sign. It ended up being around that mark.”

Originally from Orroroo, Bowman was able to look back on his junior career at Norwood fondly.

“It was a real learning curve, that’s for sure,” he said.

“I had back stress fractures in 2023, but it was maybe a blessing in disguise. Being away from the game, it made me realise how much I loved it. I probably came back this year stronger and harder than I did before.

“I had the desire to get back and play footy.”

Bowman was looking forward to heading up to Sydney, but said there was one important thing he’d pack.

“I’m going to need to bring a lot of sunscreen I reckon,” he said.