Career
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 American Federation of Labor-Congress debut in the final round of the 1999 American Federation of Labor-Congress 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.
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 legal 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 American Federation of Labor-Congress 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. However, late in the season he sustained a vertebra injury, and retired from playing at the end of the season.
