Jack Bowes says his exit from the Gold Coast Suns was unexpected.
The 24-year-old was forced out by the Suns with many reports indicating his move to Geelong, along with the handing over of pick 7, was seen as a salary cap dump.
Bowes, who admits he loved being with the Suns, has confirmed he was disappointingly pushed out by the club.
“I found out the day before my exit review, my manager (Robbie D’Orazio) had been speaking to the club for the back half of the year,” Bowes told Sportsday.
“I sort of told my manager I didn’t really want to speak to him until the end of the season, to focus on footy and we were having a good crack at the VFL premiership, so just wanted to focus fully on that.
“I guess the day before my exit review my manager called me and said the club wanted me to explore my options. I was obviously a bit disappointed at the time.
“I was able to have some great chats with the club and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me and I’m really looking forward to the next chapter.”
Bowes, a Cairns native, had been with the club since he was drafted with pick 10 in 2016 and had no plans to leave anytime soon.
“It was a bit unexpected at the start, I was contracted for two years, had bought a house up here, settled in nicely and have got a lot of friends and family up here as well,” he added.
“Obviously (being) a Queenslander too, so I was pretty excited to continue on that journey and the success of the club.
“Unfortunately, after pushing money back over the previous years it ended up that way, but there’s not too much I can do about that now.
“I’m just really pumped up to join a new footy club and seize that opportunity down there.”
He did reveal there was contact made by Cats star Patrick Dangerfield during the season in the form of a text message while he was going about his business in the VFL.
Positive talks with coach Chris Scott about a midfield role also helped contribute to the move.
“Patty is managed through the same management as I, Connors Sports,” he said.
“Paul (Connors) and Robbie are pretty close with him and I’ve had some connection with him through that over the journey.
“There was a funny message, he actually text my manager, I think he must have been watching one of the VFL games towards the middle of the year. Just that he was interested.
“(Cats list manager) Andrew Mackie was there at the time as well. I think Geelong have been in contact with Robbie for quite some time and I guess that helped with the decision as well. They’ve always been interested in myself and my abilities.
“They’ve got a role for me down there which is great, that was part of the decision making process.
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“I sat down with Chris and Patty and all the coaches there.
“They’re really excited to have a role for me there. I think they’re really keen to play me through the midfield and I’m really looking forward to that.”
Bowes played 83 games over six seasons with the Suns and averaged 17 disposals. His best season came in 2021 when he played 19 games and averaged over 21 touches primarily off half-back.