Bowen

Edward ‘Ned’ Bowen was born in Katandra, and recruited from Port Melbourne Juniors in 1911, and wore guernsey number 2 during his two seasons of consistently good football for the Blues. A hard-hitting, versatile all-rounder, Bowen usually played in the second ruck and rested in defence, but he was also effective when he was sent forward in search of a team-lifting goal or two.

Ned started the majority of his senior matches for Carlton in the back half of the field, but still averaged one goal every two games throughout his career. His best effort came in round 7, 1912, when he kicked four majors from centre half-forward in Carlton’s 69-point win over Richmond at Punt Road. Only a few weeks later however, he was omitted from the team to play Melbourne in round 14 because of a dispute with either his captain Jack Wells or his coach Norman Clark. Sadly, that episode spelt the end of Bowen’s career at Princes Park.

Although he was included in the senior side that narrowly beat St Kilda in round 15, he left Carlton soon after that and never played for the Blues again. In 1913 he crossed to St Kilda, only to find that his best form had deserted him. After just two more senior matches for the Saints, he retired from VFL football at the end of that year.

Bowen also wore Guernsey No. 21 (1911) and 20 (1913) whilst playing with Carlton reserves.

Bowen passed away in 1933 at North Brighton, aged 44 as a result of a building accident.

CARLTON FOOTBALLER INJURED

"The fall which Bowen, the Carlton footballer, received in the third quarter of the Fitzroy and Carlton match on Saturday proved more serious than was first thought. On Saturday night Bowen had to take to his bed, and two doctors were summond. It was found that he was suffering from a lacerated kidney. Bowen has been unable to sleep for two nights, and had lost a considerable quantity of blood."
(Bendigo Advertiser May 16 1911 p3)
This accident happened in Round 3, 1911, Bowen would miss 5 matches.