With two NRL pre-seasons under his belt and a renewed determination to produce his best football on the field, exciting young back Jack Bowyer is keen to make his mark with Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2022.
Bowyer, who played Hastings Deering Colts with Northern Pride last season, is just one of the new faces to sign up with last year’s Cup grand finalists and has been impressing coach Adam Brideson during the pre-season.
“Jack has been really good. I was actually fortunate enough to coach his brother Josh there at the Broncs several years back,” Brideson said.
“Jack has been banging around... was down here, did a Melbourne pre-season, then went back to Cairns and has come back down to Brisbane for an opportunity.
“He's a really good young guy. He's willing to work really hard. He's had a really good pre-season. (He has a) lot of speed... very quick, very game aware.”
'We want to finish off the season well' - Bowyer
For Bowyer, the move south has been an opportunity to reset his goals and steel his mindset to get the most out of himself and improve his football.
“It was a pretty good experience I enjoyed being home again,” Bowyer said of his time with the Pride last year.
“But I think I took it a bit too easy up, enjoyed it too much … I chilled out a bit too much up there.
“Definitely my goal this year is to play Hostplus Cup.
“(Pre-season at Wynnum Manly) has been good, I have enjoyed it, the boys have been great.
“Brido is good, he’s not scared to say what he wants, that’s for sure. He’s very straightforward.
“(Things he has said I need to improve are) just the little things. Off the back of shape and things like that, no big changes to the game, but yeah, the little things.”
While yet to make his Cup debut, Bowyer has gained valuable experience in NRL systems with both the Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys.
“Prior to Pride, I was with Cowboys and did a pre-season there and prior to that, I was with Storm and did a pre-season there, it was good, I enjoyed my footy,” Bowyer said.
“Pre-season at the Cowboys and at Storm were very different to each other, but I enjoyed both of the pre-seasons.
“Storm was a step up... I think coming straight out of school and going straight into that system was a bit of a shock at the start, but I think you got to get used to it, going to training every day.
“I was doing something that I love every day, so I enjoyed it.”
As someone who can fill in at a number of positions, there are many players who inspire Bowyer, but he is keen to make his own impression on the game.
“(I have played) a bit of fullback, half, wing... but I prefer my fullback position,” Bowyer said.
“(Players who have inspired me are) players like Cody Walker… Matty Bowen when he played; he’s my uncle. Preston Campbell with his size, he was a pretty small bloke, but went pretty good.
“(But) I’m just me.”
Grand final highlights: Wynnum Manly v Townsville
Outside of a handful of fresh faces like Bowyer joining the squad, the Seagulls will this season look to their next generation to step up and fill the void left by players like Jayden Berrell and Jack Campagnolo who have signed with NRL clubs.
Following a premiership-winning season last year, Colts guns including Braden Whittaker and Grand Hagai will be pressing their claims to make their Cup debuts this year.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 2022 gains and losses
Gains: Brandon Jackonia (Wynnum Juniors), Caleb Daunt (Central Queensland Capras), Dredin Sorensen (New Zealand), Kyle Coghill (Wynnum Juniors), Nesta Maleisea-Watene (Norths Devils), Sione Hopoate (North Sydney Bears), Jayden Connors (Ipswich Jets), Zac Hoskings (Newcastle Knights), Jack Bowyer (Northern Pride), Luke Gale (St George Illawarra Dragons), Falakiko Manu (Canterbury Bulldogs), Bailey Hartwig (Forbes), Augustine Stowers (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Losses: Jayden Berrell (Cronulla Sharks), Ed Burns (Redcliffe Dolphins), Jack Campagnolo (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Delouise Hoeter (Brisbane Broncos), Junior Pauga (West Tigers), Lucky Taavale (Brisbane Tigers), Francis Taulau (Brisbane Tigers), Zeb Taia (retired), Lazarus Vaalepu (Sunshine Coast Falcons), Alec Macdonald (Melbourne Storm), Malachi Retchford (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Other Hostplus Cup club gains and losses
PNG Hunters: Cup gains and losses for 2022
