Students Showdown is Set as Easts Young Gun Chooses His Own Path

By Angus Hayman

For a lot of young rugby players coming through the pathway system, the easiest thing to do is follow the road already laid out in front of them.

For Jonty Fowler, that road could easily have led straight to Sydney Uni alongside older brother Joey.

Instead, the talented flyhalf chose Eastern Suburbs.

And for the Narrabri product, it was never really about trying to avoid comparisons or make a statement. It was simply about finding a place that felt right.

“I sort of went into it with an open mind,” Fowler said.

“I obviously didn’t want to follow his footsteps too much, but as soon as I spoke to Easts, the way they talked about what they’re like on the field and off the field was really eye-opening.

“Being from the country, they really looked after me and that was a big thing for me. It felt like a second family.”

That country connection matters to Fowler.

Growing up in Narrabri, a modern day breeding ground for first class rugby talent, rugby was built around community, before pathways and representative honours ever entered the picture. 

Fowler started his rugby journey with the Narrabri Blue Boars before eventually moving to Joeys in Year 9, where his game continued to develop rapidly.

Now, after representing the Australian Under 18s and earning a spot in the NSW Waratahs academy, Fowler remains grounded in the values that shaped him growing up.

“I think being able to do what I want and back myself was important,” he said.

“To create my own story, I guess.”

“It’s good doing similar things to family sometimes, but I think making this decision for me was never a bad thing.”

It has already proven to be a strong fit.

Fowler has quickly settled into Easts’ Colts environment, helping steer one of the competition’s most dangerous attacking sides through the most recent rounds of the season, after returning from representative footy.

While his calm game management and kicking game have stood out, onlookers have also quickly noticed the composure he brings around the group despite his age.

The country influence is still obvious in the way he carries himself.

There is little noise, little ego and plenty of focus on improvement.

“At club level, it’s just about improving and hopefully getting into finals and winning a grand final,” Fowler said.

“After coming runners up last year, that’s definitely a big goal for us.”

That focus now turns to one of the biggest clashes of the Colts season when Easts face Sydney Uni under lights this weekend.

The matchup carries plenty of intrigue, not least because Fowler will line up against the club his brother represents.

Uni’s kicking game and territorial control have been among the strongest in the competition through the opening rounds, setting up what shapes as a fascinating tactical battle between two quality sides.

But Fowler would not want it any other way.

“I think every game against them is always a tight battle,” he said.

“They’re the games you look forward to playing, so I can’t wait.”

The Fowler family may be wearing a different scarf on Friday night to the one on Saturday this weekend.

But Jonty seems pretty comfortable with the path he has chosen.

Colts play from 5.15pm vs Sydney Uni on 29th May at Woollahra Oval.