James Rowe wins 2023 Fos Williams Medal

By ZAC MILBANK

It’s fair to say James Rowe is well aware of what it means to wear the ”Superman Suit.”

That’s because his father Stephen, the previous West End State team Chairman of Selectors for 15 years, regularly preached the privilege of wearing South Australia’s State guernsey.

So when the opportunity arose for James Rowe to wear it for the first time at senior level, there was to be no holding back against the WAFL at Adelaide Oval on Friday afternoon.

As a result, the polished performer was a fitting winner of the 2023 Fos Williams Medal as best afield for the Croweaters.

Playing as a high half-forward, Rowe regularly found himself up on the wing as he worked hard to earn his 26 disposals, 11 marks and three tackles.

He then used the ball with supreme skill in setting up first-half goals for teammates Connor Ballenden and Liam McBean, while managing one for himself late in the second quarter.

And while there isn’t much footy spoken between Stephen and James, the State pride between father and son should be on show considering how much wearing the Superman Suit means to both generations.