Paddy Dow

Patrick "Paddy" Dow (born 16 October 1999) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for both the Carlton Football Club and the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was drafted by Carlton with their first selection, and third overall, in the 2017 AFL draft. He made his AFL debut in round 1 of the 2018 season against Richmond at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He earned an AFL Rising Star award nomination for his performance against Collingwood in round 14, 2018.

Early life and career Dow grew up in Swan Hill and attended St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill . In 2015 (year 10), he started attending Geelong Grammar School on a sports scholarship, and he was selected to play for Victoria Country at the AFL Under 16 Championships. He then started playing for the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup. In 2017, he pulled off a great performance against Gippsland Power, amassing 35 disposals and kicking 2 goals; however, his season was cut short, as he injured his shoulder in the third quarter, requiring surgery. He finished his 2017 TAC Cup season averaging 18.5 disposals, 12 contested possession and 3 tackles.

AFL career Carlton (2017–2023) Carlton selected Dow with their first pick, number three overall, in the 2017 AFL draft. He made his AFL debut in the twenty-six point loss to at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the opening round of the 2018 season. After the twenty-point loss to in round 15, in which he recorded 20 disposals and 4 tackles, he earned the round nomination for the 2018 AFL Rising Star award.

In March 2018, Dow signed a three-year contract extension with Carlton, committing his future to the club until 2022.

During the Christmas break following the 2024 AFL season, Dow contracted an infection which required three bouts of knee surgery. In August of 2025, he broke his collarbone in a VFL match against Richmond. Dow did not play a game during the 2025 AFL season due to injuries, but signed a one-year contract extension to the end of 2026 towards season's end.

At the end of the 2026 AFL season Dow was delisted by St Kilda.

Personal life Dow is currently studying a Bachelor of Business at Deakin University. He is the older brother of former midfielder Thomson Dow.

Statistics Updated to the end of the 2026 season.

83 !! 24 !! 26 !! 562 !! 617 !! 1179 !! 159 !! 222 !! 0.3 !! 0.3 !! 6.8 !! 7.4 !! 14.2 !! 1.9 !! 2.7 !! 1