Dowler received fractures to his pelvis in the October 20 accident and doctors initially forecast a three-month lay-off before the tall forward prospect could begin a modified running program.
"It's coming along really well, I'm nearly at full pace running - I've still got a few restrictions on, but from where I was I've come a long way," Dowler said from the AFLPA/AFL player induction camp on Monday.
"I should have no restrictions in terms of running in about two weeks, but I still can't have body contact for about two months. In terms of running though, in two weeks I should be flat out.
"I've come along way, but I've still got a long way to go as well. My fitness has gotten better since before the accident, but the running I do - you tend to blow up pretty quickly because you haven't got the fitness base that the other guys have.
"I feel like I could run flat out now, but it's just the body contact where I've still got a few restrictions to make sure I don't break anything."
It's good news for someone who was confined to a wheelchair for nearly five weeks, so what's the secret behind his speedy recovery?
"Not trying to rush it too much," he replied.
"I got told by a few doctors that if I tried to rush it the process would actually take longer, so I just did what they said.
"It was about two months after the accident that I started running. At first they said it would be about three months before I could start running, but the process went along really quickly and I started up a bit earlier than the doctors thought I would.
"I've been pain-free for a good two or three weeks now and the running has really stepped up - it's going along really well."
The big Noble Park lad admitted to some nervous moments leading up to draft day, but could not be happier with the way things have worked out and has big plans for the coming season.
"It's been really good with the way the club welcomed me, they've made me feel really comfortable," he said of his arrival at Glenferrie.
"It was definitely a big worry leading up to draft day - I thought I'd blown my chances for a bit - but to be picked up by Hawthorn who showed great faith in me was fantastic.
"I want to play a few games for Hawthorn this year - that’s one of my big aims. I'll start off playing at Box Hill - hopefully by round one I'll be right - and if I play well enough, hopefully I can get a few senior games."
