Get to know the high-flying Ned Bowman

Norwood U18 forward Ned Bowman has raised some eyebrows in 2024.

The 186cm forward from Orroroo started his 2024 AFL draft-eligible year as an unknown quantity, after managing just one match in his first U18 season in 2023 due to injury setbacks from a lingering back injury.

This year was a far cry from the challenges of 2023, bursting onto the scene at Woodville Oval in Round 3, taking the undisputed mark of the year and kicking two goals in an outstanding performance.

From there he’s played 10 matches for Norwood’s U18s for a return of 18 goals, and continued his form for St Peter’s College, before being added to the South Australian Squad for the 2024 National U18 Championships where he suited up in the State colours for all four matches. Bowman kicked five goals for SA across the Championships.

Earlier this month the high-flying forward was invited to the AFL National Draft Combine, alongside Norwood midfielder Jacob Newton and eight other South Australians, which will be held in Melbourne in October. Norwood forward Jay Polkinghorne has been invited to the AFL State Draft Combine.

“My 2024 season started pretty well, which is probably what got me into the State program,” Bowman said.

“Coming from no football last year, I wasn’t really expecting much. So to have a good performance at the start of the season was great.

“I kept kicking goals, kept hitting the scoreboard and worked into the season pretty well, and then coming into the school footy season it sort of carried on and then the State selection happened, so I have been pretty happy with it.”

Bowman said he wasn’t sure what to expect given his injury riddled 2023, but was just enjoying being back on the park.

“At the start I was just happy to be out there,” he said.

“I was just looking forward to playing every game and enjoying it. And that’s probably what got me to where I am, just making sure to enjoy myself.”

Bowman said the Round 3 specky against the Eagles was a “special moment”.

“It’s definitely a special moment. You probably only get that perfect mark once in a lifetime if you’re lucky, so to be a part of that was awesome,” the 17-year-old said.

“It got me recognised, and got my name out there in the first place and then everything built from there. So it was a good starting base.

“I try my best to get that high, but I definitely surprised myself to be able to get as high as I did.”

The video of the mark took the AFL world by storm and by the next morning had spread around social media and television networks Fox Footy and Channel 7.

“One of my mates actually sent the video of the mark out, about three hours after the game and then the next day it was blown up and it was on everything. So it was pretty unbelievable really.”

Ned’s father Lachie Bowman played 150 games for Norwood, including the 1997 SANFL Premiership with the Redlegs.

“Dad’s had a very big impact on me,” Ned said.

“Just hearing his stories, hearing what he’s had to do with the club and how he loved it so much.

“He was a big influence on me coming here in the first place, and then being there for me, teaching me the game when I was young. Yeah. it’s been a massive impact.”

Bowman heads to Melbourne for the Draft Combine, before the National Draft on November 20 and 21.

“I am very happy to be invited to the Draft Combine,” he said.

“It’s great reward for effort and just a great opportunity, really, to show what I’m capable of and put my name out there a little bit more.

“I try not to think about the Draft as much as possible, I’m just trying to stay in the moment and do what I can do now, and that can come along later, hopefully.”

Bowman has been able to share his journey with Newton and Polkinghorne, who have both been invited to the National and State Combines respectively.

“Jacob (Newton) and Jay (Polkinghorne), they’ve had very good seasons also,” Bowman said.

“Jay having come back from his knee injury half way through the year, he’s come back in, played some U18s games and then gone up to the Reserves and had a very strong season.

“And then Jacob has also put together a very good season, which led into the National U18 Carnival which he played very well in.”

Norwood’s final game of the 2024 U18 season comes this Saturday at Unley Oval against Sturt.

By Josh Teakle NFC