On the road and making his first Finals appearance, Jack Bowes handled the September pressure in impressive fashion with a strong performance against Port Adelaide.

Playing a variety of roles, Bowes finished the night with 18 disposals and four clearances along with 449 metres gained to kickstart the Cats ball movement on numerous occasions.

The versatile Cat also pushed forward to kick two important goals on Thursday, helping Geelong storm to a Preliminary Final in a dominant display.

Entering the first Finals series of his AFL career, Bowes said he learned from some of the experienced players around him to get prepared for Thursday night’s game.

“There was obviously a few nerves being my first final, away from home as well,” Bowes told SEN’s AFL Nation.

“I was trying not to think about it too much, just go out there, back in my strengths and play on instincts.

“I know when I run out of the race that I have a lot of good teammates with Finals experience beside me.

“I learned off them a lot throughout the week, which made me feel pretty comfortable out there.”

Geelong will now enjoy a week off before hosting a Preliminary Final next weekend, against the winner of the Semi Final between GWS and Brisbane.

It is just Bowes' second season in the Hoops after joining the Cats via trade at the end of the 2022 season. 

Speaking with SEN after the game, Bowes said it has been a seamless transition for him into a Club with such a strong culture.

“Coming here all I can say is I felt so welcome,” Bowes said.

“The program has been set up to get the best out of myself and help me thrive.

“It is an environment where there are so many good leaders, you look around the locker room and you have Tom Stewart, Tom Hawkins, Paddy Dangerfield, there are so many people to learn from.

“The program is set up to optimise our performance, they ensure that we take care of our own career.

“They have been so good to me coming into the club, I am a very lucky man.”