Rowey raving about the Eagles nest

By ZAC MILBANK 

James Rowe could have been forgiven for wanting to wear the No.3 guernsey at the Norwood Football Club. 

The Woodville-West Torrens fan favourite’s father Stephen was a premiership player with the Redlegs across 185 SANFL games from 1987 to 1997.

Instead, the Eagles premiership star – set to play his 100th Hostplus SANFL League game on Saturday – is forging his own path as he embraces the family culture at Oval Avenue.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 25-year-old said his love for the club runs deep given he started playing with the Under-16s in 2014.

Making his Hostplus SANFL League debut in Round 4 of 2018, Rowe has fond memories of enjoying a win in his first game while standing Jack Oatey Medallist Matthew Snook and narrowly missing a snap shot on goal.

His breakout season came in 2019 when he booted 31 goals from 17 League appearances to establish himself as one of the best small forwards in the competition.

This reputation was enhanced when the Eagles’ No.16 enjoyed a blistering 2020 campaign which resulted in him being a joint-winner of the Ken Farmer Medal with a total of 47 goals for the season.

And he labelled his 2020 Channel 7 SANFL Goal of the Year, featured in the clip below, as the most memorable he’s kicked in his career.

But his most treasured highlight was featuring in the club’s 2020 League premiership, when a stunning nine-goal second quarter turned the Grand Final on its head against North Adelaide.

Rowe when on to live out his childhood dream of playing for the Adelaide Football Club in the AFL, kicking 27 goals from 36 AFL games in two seasons.

One of the most passionate players to represent the West End State team, Rowe claimed the Fos Williams Medal as best afield against the WAFL upon his return to State League ranks in 2023.

Now, the qualified carpenter is playing his valuable role as one of the experienced campaigners at the Eagles as he helps the club through a transitional period of its playing list.