BIO

Stephen Rowe was born in Adelaide but moved to Western Australia with his family at the age of six. Playing junior football for South Fremantle, he was voted the best player in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Colts in 1984, winning the Jack Clarke Medal.

Rowe made his League debut with South Fremantle in 1985. After two years and 27 League games in the WAFL he returned to South Australia and started his career at Norwood. Courageous and enthusiastic, he became an instant hit with the Norwood players and supporters, winning  Meritorious Performance Awards in 1987 and 1988. He suffered injury problems in 1989 which, together with a drop in form, meant he played only a handful of League games for the season.

He was able to turn his career around dramatically in 1990 however, being named Club Champion and Woods Medalist, as well as making his interstate debut for South Australia.

Drafted by the Adelaide Crows before the start of the 1991 season, Rowe was not quite able to consolidate his spot in the AFL team and still spent time playing very good football for Norwood. He was rewarded with a five year valuable service award in 1991, but unfortunately a serious knee injury saw him miss most of the 1994 season.

He made a successful return to football in 1995 and played 20 games for the Redlegs. He added another three games with the Crows, bringing his career total to 29.

In 1996 he was named Norwood's vice-captain, and awarded Life Membership.

Rowe's persistence finally paid off in 1997 when, after 185 games for the Redlegs, he finally tasted Grand Final success against arch rivals Port Adelaide. He also won the coveted Smokey Dawson Best Team Man award in the Premiership year.

After retiring as a player, Stephen Rowe turned his hand to coaching, firstly with Norwood's Under 17's and later as assistant coach of Glenelg. Rowe has also been Chairman of Selectors of the South Australian State League team.

R Cialini Oct 2014