Bowden goes on the attack
Michael Horan | May 01, 2008
RICHMOND'S dual All-Australian defender Joel Bowden is being reinvented as a forward. The Tigers veteran and two-time club best-and-fairest has played the past three games for Coburg in the VFL as a half-forward.
Bowden has been one of Coburg's best in all three games as he strives to claw his way back into the senior side.
The classy left-footer, who turns 30 in June, has almost certainly said goodbye to playing as a defender at AFL level, but remains an option in the front half when the opportunity comes.
"First of all, his attitude since coming back has been exemplary," Coburg coach and Richmond assistant Jade Rawlings said after training at Punt Rd Oval yesterday.
"I know Joel very well and he's been a standout player for this footy club for a long time. He's embraced his new role, he's embraced the culture of the Coburg footy club, the younger players, and I really admire him for that.
"You'd expect him to be a very good player at the (VFL) level because of the type of player he has been and still is.
"As long as he keeps doing the things we're asking of him, he'll keep putting his name up for selection."
But the 238-game veteran knows that with Richmond's strong form and good run with injury, the competition for a half-forward spot is hot.
Former West Coast forward Mitch Morton has been a spark in that spot over recent weeks and Kayne Pettifer, who has kicked eight goals in the past two VFL games, is also making strong claims.
Rawlings said Pettifer was also embracing challenges presented to him.
"He's had a couple of solid games - statistically really good - he's progressively making improvements in areas we've asked him to," Rawlings said.
"It's frustrating for him. He's got to a pretty good level in his career and now he's had to go back (to Coburg) and fight his way back into the (Richmond) side. But his attitude towards wanting to improve and get back in is as good as anyone's."
After a draw against the Western Bulldogs and a narrow loss to Hawthorn, the Tigers will be looking to continue their strong recent form against St Kilda at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23626221-19742,00.html