Glen Bowyer
Encyclopedia
Glen Bowyer is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Hawthorn
and Carlton
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
Bowyer, who came from Wodonga, did not play competitive football until the age of 15. In Melbourne he played his initial football with the Murray Bushrangers
and Hawthorn reserves.
He made his AFL debut in the final round of the 1999 AFL season, from the rookie list. Prior to the 2000 season he was elevated to the senior list and played 19 games for the year, including two finals. He won a Rising Star nomination
, averaged 16 disposals a game over the course of the season as well as taking 120 marks, and was heralded as the club's most courageous player. Used on the ball and as a defender, Bowyer played his 30th consecutive game during the 2001 season and commanded a regular spot in the team until injury struck: in the game best remembered for Ben Dixon's after-the-siren game-winning goal, Bowyer broke his leg. He did not play a single senior game in 2002 due to osteitis pubis and leg problems.
As Bowyer recovered from his injuries during 2002, he struggled to cope personally with the isolation of no longer being heavily involved in the game or the club. He struggled badly with depression, and was a heavy user of alcohol and drugs during this time, engaged in self-harm, and contemplated suicide at times. Late in the year and at the height of his depression, Bowyer traveled to the Greek islands on his own, where he almost lost his life after his left arm was badly cut by glass; the exact nature of this incident has not been publicly discussed. He was airlifted to an Athens
hospital and a nine hour operation was required to save his arm.
Upon his return, Bowyer was able to work through his depression. He took more time off for travel in 2003, and Hawthorn co-operatively delisted him to assist him. In his time away, as he overcame his depression, Bowyer became involved in Beyond Blue, the national depression initiative.
He made a return to the AFL in 2004 when Carlton picked him up with the 63rd selection of the 2003 Draft
. Carlton used Bowyer in a defensive capacity and he put together 20 games in two seasons. His efforts for Carlton's , the Northern Bullants
, in 2005 were good enough to win him the Laurie Hill Trophy as club best and fairest. However, late in the season he sustained a vertebra injury, and retired from playing at the end of the season.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
and Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Bowyer, who came from Wodonga, did not play competitive football until the age of 15. In Melbourne he played his initial football with the Murray Bushrangers
Murray Bushrangers
Murray Bushrangers is an Australian rules football team playing in TAC Cup since 1993 based in Wangaratta. The team trains in WJ Findlay Oval. The team is coached by Darren Ogier...
and Hawthorn reserves.
He made his AFL debut in the final round of the 1999 AFL season, from the rookie list. Prior to the 2000 season he was elevated to the senior list and played 19 games for the year, including two finals. He won a Rising Star nomination
2000 AFL Rising Star
The AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a stand out young player in the Australian Football League. The award is also known as the Norwich Rising Star due to sponsorship reasons. The 2000 medal was won by Fremantle player Paul Hasleby....
, averaged 16 disposals a game over the course of the season as well as taking 120 marks, and was heralded as the club's most courageous player. Used on the ball and as a defender, Bowyer played his 30th consecutive game during the 2001 season and commanded a regular spot in the team until injury struck: in the game best remembered for Ben Dixon's after-the-siren game-winning goal, Bowyer broke his leg. He did not play a single senior game in 2002 due to osteitis pubis and leg problems.
As Bowyer recovered from his injuries during 2002, he struggled to cope personally with the isolation of no longer being heavily involved in the game or the club. He struggled badly with depression, and was a heavy user of alcohol and drugs during this time, engaged in self-harm, and contemplated suicide at times. Late in the year and at the height of his depression, Bowyer traveled to the Greek islands on his own, where he almost lost his life after his left arm was badly cut by glass; the exact nature of this incident has not been publicly discussed. He was airlifted to an Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
hospital and a nine hour operation was required to save his arm.
Upon his return, Bowyer was able to work through his depression. He took more time off for travel in 2003, and Hawthorn co-operatively delisted him to assist him. In his time away, as he overcame his depression, Bowyer became involved in Beyond Blue, the national depression initiative.
He made a return to the AFL in 2004 when Carlton picked him up with the 63rd selection of the 2003 Draft
2003 AFL Draft
The 2003 AFL Draft was the 2003 instance of the AFL Draft, the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League...
. Carlton used Bowyer in a defensive capacity and he put together 20 games in two seasons. His efforts for Carlton's , the Northern Bullants
Northern Bullants
Northern Blues Football Club is a long-established Australian rules football club based in Preston and currently playing in the Victorian Football League representing the central and outer areas of Melbourne...
, in 2005 were good enough to win him the Laurie Hill Trophy as club best and fairest. However, late in the season he sustained a vertebra injury, and retired from playing at the end of the season.