By Nick Creely
“HE’S just a natural footballer”.
They’re the words of Sam Fowler’s coach at the Dandenong Stingrays, Craig Black.
Fowler may just be the most determined and resilient character in this year’s impressive crop of prospective draftees.
But throwback twelve months and the small-forward would not have been on many draft radars.
After initially missing out on making the Stingrays as a bottom-ager, due to a number of factors, including his height, the talented footballer, nicknamed the ‘Rat’, for his exceptional goal sense, went back to his local club Dromana, playing senior football, and topping the goal kicking with 36 majors.
This prompted the Rays to invite Fowler into the squad for 2016, and from there he set about wronging the rights of the past and working on the weaknesses that have hindered him.
But now Fowler is at the top of his game, and when the time comes for Friday’s National Draft, he may be off to start his AFL journey – and says the experience of missing out has been an overall positive.
“At the time when I missed out on the Stingrays, I wasn’t overly fussed, I was quite shy and just happy to come home to Dromana and have a strong pre-season and then have another crack at some point, “he explained.
“As a kid, everyone dreams of getting drafted, and when I got rejected in a sense, I didn’t know how far I could get or if I was even good enough.
“Going back to Dromana and playing every game in the seniors was a massive confidence booster for me back then, and I guess to go out and play seniors as a young kid, under Doug Koop, gave me the belief to take on the game against the bigger lads.”
And what a 2016 season Fowler had. Coming from the clouds, he defied all expectations, leading the Stingrays goal-kicking, making the TAC Cup team of the year, and representing Vic Country in the National Championships.
Fowler’s appetite for goals was phenomenal, kicking 35 goals in 14 matches, and in the process raising his name on the whiteboard amongst AFL clubs.
“It was a little bit disappointing to obviously go out in straight-sets with the Rays, but finishing on top with a great home and away season was great, “he said.
“I felt I was really consistent and personally I was happy with my season.
“I enjoyed spending some time in the midfield at TAC Cup at the end of the year and was rapt to get a run around and get a few touches.”
As a footballer, Fowler is utterly unique. Despite his lack of height, he plays taller than he is.
But it’s his electrifying speed, and ability to read the play that stands out the most.
“My speed is probably my biggest strength to be honest, and as a little bloke you have to be, but definitely my competiveness is something I pride myself on,” he said.
“I read the play pretty well off packs.
“My first ever year as a forward was last year in the seniors so it’s only been two years, the previous eight were in the midfield.
“I can bring some speed and excitement into a forward line and put some pressure on to defenders and try and create goals out of nothing.”
The experience of the National Championships propelled Fowler to dream big, but conceded he initially had doubts and was nervous about the call-up for Vic Country.
“I was honestly shocked when I got the letter to say I was invited to train with Vic Country.
“I was obviously pretty nervous, and didn’t really know what to expect and when I went in, the coaches backed my ability from day one, and were really great for me and gave me confidence.
“Playing against the best junior players in the country was the highlight of the season and put me in good stead.”
Despite being cold amongst AFL recruiters early on in the year, a number of clubs have interviewed Fowler, impressed by his ability and resilient nature.
“It gave me a little confidence about the prospect of getting drafted, but I try not to think about it too much,” he explained
“No one’s hinting anything yet so I’m hoping the clubs liked me and I get on an AFL list.
“I’m excited and just unsure what’s going to happen, so fingers crossed.
“You say you don’t think about being drafted but it’s getting closer and closer, it’s nerve-racking but really exciting.”
He has started the pre-season training with the Northern Blues, fuelling speculation that Carlton are keeping their eyes on the small-forward.
Fowler sees himself as a small-forward and has closely analysed some of the AFL’s best of the best, but eventually would like to have some time in the midfield.
“Coming from local footy I haven’t really studied or modelled my game on too many players, but I think the modern day small forward like Cyril Rioli, Paul Puopolo and Eddie Betts and their strengths are something I want to emulate in a way and look at how they move.
“Whether it is big marks, creating chances out of nothing or chasing down a defender, that’s what I want to be like.”
His development into the footballer he is today is largely due to his involvement with Dromana and the Stingrays, and couldn’t be more thankful.
“I’m very grateful and thankful to Doug Koop at Dromana for giving me so many opportunities and the same with Blacky (Coach Craig Black) at the Stingrays,” he said.
“Along with my parents, who have virtually attended every game, they have been a massive support for me.”
Profile
Measurement: 169cm/66kg
Position: Small Forward
Player Comparison: Jamie Elliot/Paul Puopolo
2016 Statistics (averages)
TAC CUP
14 matches, 14 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles 2.5 goals
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
4 matches, 10 disposals, 1 mark, 0.4 goals
Prediction: One of the hardest prospects to place. Realistically, Fowler can go anywhere from 40-Rookie. Based on club’s needs, teams such as Collingwood, Carlton, Geelong and the Gold Coast could be tempted anywhere between 50-80. The club that seems to be most interested is Carlton, who is desperate to add more natural goal-kickers to its list. The Blues have been plagued by this issue for several years and Fowler just knows how to find the goals. Pick 63 or 70 should get the job done, and if it doesn’t happen in the draft, will be snaffled up in the rookie draft.
