For Jacob Bauer, the road less travelled has become his most frequent path. 

And it’s made all the difference in him living out his AFL dream.

The 22-year-old Richmond forward, who has appeared in five senior games so far this season, didn’t have a direct or seamless route to Punt Road. Far from it. 

Instead, Bauer’s GPS has logged stops in Wagga, around 15 different houses across Sydney, Adelaide, which included living on top of a pub, and ultimately Tigerland. 

No time to settle down. No time to embed himself into a group of the same friends. No time to find comfort in a consistent rhythm.

However, there has been one constant – family. And especially his mum, Jody. 

Jody was just 24-years-old when she had to raise Jacob and his two younger brothers, Will and Sam, as a single mum. 

As he reflects on his journey, Bauer remains in awe of his mum and how she was able to be the rock in his family despite challenging circumstances. 

“Looking back on it, I'm probably much more appreciative of it now, and I understand a lot more now,” Bauer told Richmond Media about his upbringing. 

“It's shaped me to who I am and my beliefs. 

“It was pretty hectic. Mum was always having her hands full trying to figure out how we're going to get to training. Two brothers, we're all playing footy and different training commitments and different time frames. 

“Mum lent on a lot of people. We got a lot of help from other family members, other friends that we lived around. 

“We moved around a bit as well, we lived in different houses, but mum left no stone unturned to make sure that we never went without anything and really worked her arse off to try and make sure that we had the best upbringing that was capable.”

As Bauer grew up playing junior footy across New South Wales, and it was never a doubt that footy was his sport despite the rugby league crazed state he lived in, he also had to do so while often packing up his bags and moving onto the next temporary home.

When contemplating his child and teenage years, Bauer emphasises he never felt disadvantaged, but now acknowledges how much work his mum did to provide everything she could to her boys, and how vital his family was.

“I think it probably comes to fruition now about understanding and the knowledge of why things were happening like that,” Bauer said.

“Moving around to the places weren't that bad, we had our little clan of four, and that was it. It's always daunting moving schools and going to new places, but I have my two brothers and my mum, and that's kind of all I felt like I needed. 

“We always had that little support and connection group amongst us that we felt was enough.

“I reckon it would be more than 15 (houses). There was a stage where we would move once a year, every year we would pack up and move somewhere else, but it was never a drastic move. In terms of understanding why? I guess not. 

“As a kid growing up, you always do what your parents say. There were never many questions, or never anything like wondering why or why me or whatnot, I just sort of got on with it. 

“I wouldn't say I was disadvantaged in any way by it, but it obviously had its toll on meeting new people and new friends and never really settling down somewhere.”

As Jody was doing everything she could for her sons, she was also leaving a profound impact on Jacob and moulding who he is today. 

Explaining his values and beliefs, it reveals just how much Bauer has absorbed from his mum.

“My partner tells me all the time, I'm a carbon copy. I'm exactly the same as mum,” Bauer said.

“The value and care I put into my relationships, my ability to problem solve, figure it out on the run, and when you find yourself with your back against the wall, just making it work, and the resilience part of it. 

“She obviously went through a little bit, and still going through a little bit, but just being tough, and just always being able to show up and give it your all and just have a crack at whatever you do. 

“I think that sort of tapped into who I am now. I like to think I'm pretty resilient and I've obviously been through my fair share of hardship, so I feel like that's just added to my character, and I've learned a lot from it to show me who I am.”

Another important quality Bauer had to develop quicker than most was to be independent, something he and his brothers did almost instantly. 

“We got a bit of an independence pretty early,” Bauer said.

“I remember, I was probably year three, and we were already starting to walk to school, just me and my brothers. 

“All three of us walked to school, had a little Nokia brick phone so I could text mum when we got to school and then go hand it in at the office. 

“We just had to grow up a little bit quicker, which is a positive and a negative at the same time. 

“I have a lot of drive to be independent and can do things by myself and figure it out.”

Bauer’s footy journey also hasn’t been one that has always gone to plan. 

The talented junior made the Sydney Swans Academy at just 12, but five years later, experienced a reality check when he was cut from the program.

The setback was equal amounts discouraging and life-changing, as it served as a pivotal lesson. 

“I didn't work hard,” Bauer admits.

“I didn't really understand what working hard meant, and thought the talent will get you there. 

“I think that was kind of, ‘oh yeah, this sucks’, but it gave me more perspective into what it is actually going to take if it's what I care about and what I want to do.”

Bauer didn’t get straight back onto the track after being cut. Instead, it was a year away from the sport that made him fully ascertain his love for the game. 

“I just didn't feel like playing footy. I didn't really want to, didn't have that same drive and desire, because I was like, oh well, if I'm not going to get to the AFL, then what’s the point,” Bauer said.

“It taught me a lot about drive, dedication, routine, trying to find that motivation. That year off really helped me understand and tone it back down to why I actually wanted to play.”

As he returned to the field and started gaining some momentum ahead of his draft year, COVID unfortunately hit and threw another misdirection in the already long-winding path Bauer was on. 

The pandemic forced speed-bump led Bauer to South Australia, where he moved away from family to join the 14-time SANFL premiers the North Adelaide Roosters. 

Despite being away from his mum and brothers, Bauer maintained a close relationship with his family, speaking to them daily and saying, “without them physically being there, I still felt like they were there”. 

As he lived atop the Northern Tavern pub, Bauer’s impressive performances with the Roosters put him back on the radar of the AFL and taught him more life lessons about what it takes to achieve the ultimate dream. 

“Obviously, it's a little bit more challenging when mum would be at every game that I could play, and my brothers would always be there and whatnot, but I think it just comes with change,” Bauer said.

“You grow up and realise that life comes to the forefront and it's still the same for mum now, she wants to get to every game that she can, but life takes its toll. 

“There’s more important things that have to happen. 

“Moving to Adelaide put into perspective the understanding of sometimes you just have to do what you need to do, and in order for me to get to where I wanted to go to, that was the sacrifice that I felt like I had to make at the time. It worked out well and truly. 

“It was definitely an experience, moving out of home for the first time and then living on top of a pub, but it was awesome. I wouldn't change it at all. I enjoyed my time there. 

“I love the boys still there and most of my best mates are still over there playing footy. 

“Definitely an experience, but one that I wouldn't change at all, because I feel like it made it what it was.”

Kicking 16 goals in just six games for the Roosters caught the eye of the Tigers, who selected Bauer with the 10th pick in the 2022 mid-season draft. 

After plying his trade in the VFL, Bauer was rewarded with his AFL debut in Round 17 of the 2023 season, ironically against his mum’s beloved Swans. 

As fate would harshly have it though, Bauer’s debut ended almost as it started, with him being subbed out just 78 seconds into the game with a hamstring injury. 

He admits there is frustration attached to the game, but in a comment that provides a window into the care and value he places on his friends and family, Bauer thinks more about how they felt about his debut, as opposed to his own feelings. 

“Obviously wanted to stay out there for a lot longer than what I did, but I honestly felt more disappointed for everyone that came down, everyone that travelled down,” Bauer said.

“I have no family in Melbourne, so everyone that came from my family, extended family and friends, had all taken time off work, booked flights, driven down. 

“I was more flat that they didn't get to see more of a game.”

Bauer has split his time between the AFL and VFL Tigers in 2025, focusing on putting together full four-quarter performances to cement his spot in the senior side.

“I feel like when I'm getting near the ball, I'm having an impact, and it's good, but there's just too often that I'm floating in and out of games,” Bauer said.

“Just getting back to it, playing my role, which is keep bringing the ball to the front, bring the smalls into it. Going back to the VFL, homing in on a little bit more craft, trying to get better, so when I come back in, they can trust me to fulfill a role and play my role.”

With Mother’s Day on Sunday, Bauer delivered a heartfelt message to his mum – even if he will never fully comprehend how she was able to do what she did. 

“I don't think I’ll ever be able to put into words the thankfulness and appreciation that I have, but you amaze me every day, you never cease to amaze me,” Bauer said of his mum.  

“Your dedication to your craft and continuing to work hard to be the best version of yourself, but then to also portray that onto us and try and create the best environment for us is something that I'll forever be indebted to, and we'll never understand how you did it. 

“But thank you.”