From the playing field to club boss – that’s the fascinating journey of current Southport Chief Executive Officer, Dean Bowtell.
The son of 1970s ruckman and dual premiership player, big Eddie Bowtell, Dean started with the Southport Sharks as a junior and he made his first-grade debut in 1989.
Bowtell played in the winning grand final side that year and was to go on to play a couple of games for the Brisbane Bears in the AFL reserves.
One feature of his short stint with the Bears was to play on former Carlton firebrand David Rhys-Jones at Princes Park. Bowtell acquitted himself well on that occasion.
Bowtell also played in the South Australian National Football League before he returned to Southport in 1996.
As his playing career wound down, Bowtell started work in the social club, firstly at the reception desk, then pulling beers behind the bar.
After that he moved into the administration side of things, steadily moving up the ladder to a point when he became assistant manager to Paul Wyatt.
In 2008, when the Sharks and Wyatt parted company, Bowtell was elevated to the position of CEO.
As a player, Bowtell stuck to his limitations, nothing fancy but a strong work ethic, yet he was such good value that he eventually found a place in Southport’s Best of 25 Years of State League side, selected in a back pocket.
Bowtell played in four Southport premiership sides (1989, 1997, 1998 and 1999), making the Bowtells the only father-son combination to have won flags at the Magpies/Sharks.
Similar Articles
These articles are similar to the one you are reading.
Southport defeated North Melbourne by 17 points at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday Afternoon.
The Southport QFAW team have won their fifth consecutive game, easily accounting for Mt. Gravatt at Fankhauser Reserve.
The Casey Demons have defeated the Southport Sharks by 32 points in the 2022 VFL Grand Final on Sunday Afternoon at a wet Ikon Park.
The Southport Sharks are in the top 4 of the VFL after defeating the Geelong Cats by 47 points on Thursday Night.
The Southport Sharks travelled to Brisbane to take on the University of Queensland Red Lions for Round 11 of the QAFLW.
In front of many past players and a host of juniors, Southport defeated Sandringham by 44 points at Fankhauser Reserve.
Southport Sharks are proud to announce that we have entered a new agreement with international sports and lifestyle brand Puma as our official training and off-field apparel provider, through its teamwear licensee TGI SPORTS in partnership with Tribal Sport.
The Southport Sharks congratulate Alana Gee and Fleur Davies for being drafted on Wednesday Night at the AFLW Draft at Marvel Stadium.
Southport lost by nine points against Brisbane in an entertaining ANZAC Round, Queensland Derby at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.
The Southport Sharks QAFLW senior team have lost the top of the table clash with UQ by 14 points.
Boyd Woodcock has won back-to-back Alex Aurrichio Medals for his 42 disposals, 14 clearances and one goal in the Sharks 82 point win over the Northern Bullants.
The Southport Sharks are pleased to announce that Matthew Lappin has been appointed as QAFLW Senior Coach for 2025 and 2026.