Out Johnson for Tivendale 
Monk, I'm glad you're not on our selection committee! 
We need players fighting for positions and no one ever being assured of retaining their place on reputation or experience alone. Competition for places in the side is the basis of all great teams.
On the other side of the coin is the extremely important aim of developing our young players and attempting to bring them through all together.
Now balancing both goals are the key. If two players are in similiar form and play in a similiar role within the team, then the younger player with more potential to develop should always be given preference over the senior player.
So using this theory as a basis for selection -
Bowden should be replaced by Schulz, Morton or even Jackson/McGuane.
Morton had an off week when he was dropped but (as I mentioned earlier) he is a team player who creates opportunities with his selfless 1%. Without Richo is the forwardline Schulz could bloom and Jackson/McGuane have the size and speed to play as a lead up forward.
All of these players are at similiar level of form to Bowden and have much more potential to improve. Thye also have a good chance of playing together in the future so should be given more opportunities to learn how to play with each other.
I really am disappointed with the inclusion of both Bowden and Petts. All we need is Tiv back this week and we are back to square one..... 
Stripes
Bowden is a much higher class & better player than all of those you mentioned
what planet you live on
Bowden is one of the most experienced we have at the club his done very well since his return & his still got a few years left in him yet, why every other club in the league would pounce on him if he was traded or delisted
He was dropped back to the Coburg side to change the style of his play & a change of role & it couldnot be done in the senior side & the same with Pettifer to get him to run around alot more & create play
Tivendale has had solid games for the last month & deserves a recall on his form alone
his too good a player for VFL & his got himself back to that highest level & would be a more damaging player than Johnson at present
His also lifted his tackling rate greatly & is in best form & kicking goals every week
Johnson struggles to keep pace with the game & struggles to kick 40 metres on his good day & his decision making is very poor
l think he needs to go back to VFL level & regain that form & decision making
Tivendale needs to be given the chance like everyone else, l been watching him closely & his doing everything asked of him
like it or not he will return soon if not this week
Problem with Richmond is they always buy everyone elses deadwood & they burnout thier own deadwood out & get nothing for them
l see Bowden & Tivendale playing for at least 2 more years each at top level
