Former Sydney Swan Cameron Owen has signed with Tasmania Devils for their inaugural VFL season, hoping to reignite his AFL career in home territory.
The 204cm ruckman, brother of Australian cricket star Mitchell Owen, will return to Tasmania after being delisted by Sydney following a back injury.
“To be part of the inaugural team for the Devils in the VFL is really exciting and something that I am really looking forward to,” Owen said.
“I think most boys who play VFL would say that their goal is to get on an AFL list and mine certainly is to get back on one.”
The 21-year-old Clarence product spent the past two seasons with Footscray in the VFL but struggled with hamstring injuries and found himself out of the premiership team due to AFL-listed players taking priority.
Owen sees the move to Tasmania as an opportunity for consistent playing time and development.
“The opportunity to get a full season in and not have to worry about getting squeezed out of the team by AFL listed players was also really appealing,” he said.
“At this stage I just feel like I need some really consistent VFL footy and hopefully that’s enough to get me back on an AFL list.”
Todd Patterson, the Devils’ Head of List Management and Strategy, said the club is excited about securing the talented ruckman.
“Cam has had a tough run with injuries in recent years but we know he has enormous talent and can’t wait to see him flourish with the Devils,” Patterson said.
“He’s a ruckman who can also go forward and provide a really strong target for us.”
Owen draws inspiration from his brother Mitch, who has risen from a Hobart Hurricanes fan favourite to representing Australia in T20 cricket.
“It’s absolutely inspiring, I’ve been lucky enough to see all the work that goes on behind the scenes and now it’s come to fruition with results so I couldn’t be prouder of him and it breeds motivation in me,” he said.
Owen joins former Swans teammates Robbie Fox and Caleb Mitchell at the Devils, as the new Tasmanian club continues to attract homegrown talent ahead of their debut season.
