Melbourne defender Jake Bowey has had a dream start to his unblemished nine-game AFL career.
The young Demon won a premiership in just his seventh game and is now a dual Rising Star nominee on the back of a career-best performance against Gold Coast.
Bowey finished with 34 disposals, 16 intercepts and seven defensive rebounds in Melbourne’s Round 2 win over the Suns.
The 19-year-old quickly cemented his spot in Melbourne’s back six at the end of last season, with his rapid rise culminating in a Grand Final appearance, collecting 17 disposals as the Demons won their first flag in 57 years.
SEN host Andy Maher can’t think of anyone who has had a better first nine games at AFL level than Bowey.
“This is without dispute – he has had the best first nine games in the history of football at the elite level,” Maher told SEN’s The Run Home.
“In his first nine games – twice nominated for the Rising Star and has won a premiership.
“I’m not talking about statistics. Matt Rowell would swap Jake Bowey’s and his first nine games in a heartbeat.
“This bloke has won a premiership and has twice been nominated the best young player of the round.
“I’m talking about the best first nine games you could possibly wish to have – he’s had them.”
Bowey is yet to lose a game since making his Melbourne debut in Round 20 last year.
The second-year Demon was selected with pick No.21 in the 2020 National Draft.