It was week before the November rookie draft last year when then Footscray forward and full-time real estate agent Billy Gowers was invited to Luke Beveridge’s house for dinner.
Gowers had just finished an encouraging year in the Bulldogs’ VFL forward line, and was keen to impress, as a spread of slow-cooked lamb and sweet potatoes arrived in front of him.
All was going well, according to the 21-year-old, until what he thought at the time was his first test: an offer of a beer.
“It was just a night at his house for a bit of dinner; his wife Dana cooked us a lovely meal,” Gowers told SEN on Thursday.
“He offered a couple of beers but I thought I’d put that on the back burner, couldn’t really risk it, as well as some chocolates.”
With this football future on the line, the bullocking young forward wasn’t prepared to take any risks.
“I was carrying a bit more weight back then so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was something he picked up on. It was pretty funny.”
Gowers has excelled under Beveridge since being taken the ninth pick of that year’s Rookie Draft, leading the Bulldogs in goals kicked (21), and averaging 13 disposals and four marks in 17 games.
In his first season at VU Whitten Oval Gowers is already the Dogs’ main target inside 50 according to Champion Data, the ball heading his way 71 times, 30 more than the next highest target, Josh Dunkley.
But having had a taste of a run in the middle in the second half of the season, Gowers is eyeing off a future in the midfield.
“I feel like if I can build my aerobic capacity and my running game to an elite AFL midfield (level),” he said, “I think I can have real impact in there, while having the forward string to my bow as well.”
But right now, Gowers is just happy to be a Bulldog.
“I’m still pinching myself that I get to go to the Club every day and do things to be a better footballer, he said.
“I’m happy to play anywhere at the moment.”
The Dogs travel to Ballarat on Sunday to take on Port Adelaide. Click here for full match and ticketing information.
