Bowden haunted by demons that manifest off-field - Caro

[one-eyed]

Bowden haunted by demons that manifest off-field
Caroline Wilson | July 29, 2008

JOEL Bowden's thumping shot for goal in the dying seconds of the Richmond-Brisbane Lions game three nights ago saved more than just the Tigers' finals hopes and the match itself. It took the heat off the bungled Greg Miller sacking.

Players should not have to carry the can for football club politics but, thanks to Bowden's kick and his form in the desperate last quarter, the heat briefly moved away from the obvious headline: "Turmoil at Tigerland".

But carrying the can is one thing. Showing leadership is another. There is no doubt Bowden's cool head played a major part in Richmond's victory on Saturday night. There is also no doubt the 30-year-old believes it is enough these days to show leadership on the football field.

Because Bowden's off-field behaviour has been a little perplexing. He has clearly battled some serious demons since Terry Wallace dropped him after the Tigers' loss to Collingwood in round three. And although his return to the senior side in round eight has been accompanied by a gradual, but consistent, improvement in form there is no evidence to suggest that the battle has finished.

To put it simply, Bowden remains so outraged by his demotion to Coburg and the media commentary and speculation regarding his future that accompanied it that he has consistently knocked back all but the simplest of interviews since.

On Saturday night, he spoke briefly but with his customary charm to Christi Malthouse on Channel Ten after the game. He has been less charming in a couple of apparently simple media situations since. In the Telstra Dome rooms he refused to speak to anyone holding a microphone or a notebook.

Bowden later said he wanted to enjoy those magic 15 minutes with his teammates, which didn't seem to stop Matthew Richardson, Nathan Brown and Nathan Foley, to name three, give up a few minutes of their time. He was less than friendly at Punt Road yesterday.

The only conclusion to be drawn from his behaviour recently — Bowden cannot be serious when he says he will not give an interview to a journalist until he has kicked five goals in a game — is that there are several Joel Bowdens lurking behind the enigmatic footballer/community worker who has been described by pretty much everyone who has coached him as "a different cat".

Bowden was genuinely taken aback — and apologetic — yesterday when it was pointed out how offensive his behaviour was after a request for a chat. He has always apparently struggled to come to terms with the significance of his role and that of football in this town, given his central Australian upbringing — a staggering fact given that he is 30 and has lived in Melbourne at least during the season since he was 17.

Even more remarkable given he is the president of the AFL Players' Association. Bowden says he will happily talk at any time about AFLPA issues and equally so about his off-field work.

He will even have a chat next week on the eve of his 250th game. And if he decides to be absolutely honest about how angry he has been regarding the way the club has treated him, it promises to be an interesting conversation. Wallace was pretty direct on Fairfax Radio on Sunday when he said Bowden was one offender not exerting the defensive side of his game which is why he was demoted. He also said Bowden often started seasons slowly and the inference was this time the club was not prepared to put up with it.

It is a pity that Bowden has put his pride before a good story this week. It was wonderful for his fans to watch him kick that goal, but disappointing to realise how seriously wounded he has been by his club's attempt to send him a clear message.

The good news for Richmond fans is that the footballer is now playing at least in part to prove a point and it is working. As recently as last month his career looked close to finished. Now he has a future beyond 2008, and that future for Richmond — thanks to the character and talent among some of the younger brigade — looks bright.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/bowden-haunted-by-demons-that-manifest-offfield/2008/07/28/1217097149885.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

[julzqld]

Oh for heavens sake, leave him alone.

[richmondrules]

Caroline you and your cronies are sooooooo important.

[Smokey]

Oh for heavens sake, leave him alone.

 

I just love it when the sanctimonious hypocrites in the media get their noses out of joint because someone takes offence at their 'vulture-like' actions.  I laughed at Caro's attempt to blame his reticence on his own "serious demons" and his upbringing in the Northern Territory.  Here's one for you Caro - maybe he doesn't think you and your jackals are worthy of enough respect to talk to.  People in glass houses.  Keep telling 'em to get stuffed Joel.

[cub]

Capatin bloody obvious Caro, any player driven enough to play at the elite level is going to be pizzed when they are dropped after becoming a senior regular. It is how they deal with it that shows their real character. Joel has done it in the best way posiible 

[Tigermonk]

Caro is no doubt football's worst journo. she will eat the club to get a story, hounds the players & when they shun her she writes anything  Players dont like talking to her 

[jackstar]

Whats funny is that Terry dropping him because of his defensive side of his game, Now what about Jordon McMahon, defensive pressure ZERO!

[cub]

Whats funny is that Terry dropping him because of his defensive side of his game, Now what about Jordon McMahon, defensive pressure ZERO!

Once again we get off topic, what I will say and Wallace has said it too I believe, is that McMahon isn't in the team for his defensive pressure.
Albeit personally would like to see him at least try a bit harder in that area.

[jackstar]

Whats funny is that Terry dropping him because of his defensive side of his game, Now what about Jordon McMahon, defensive pressure ZERO!

Once again we get off topic, what I will say and Wallace has said it too I believe, is that McMahon isn't in the team for his defensive pressure.
Albeit personally would like to see him at least try a bit harder in that area.

How can any player play IN D50 and not apply defensive pressure   Might further add that EVERY PLAYER needs to apply defensive pressure and be ACCOUNTABLE. something we didnt do in the third quarter on sat night.

Back to the topic of Joel, dont blame him ignoring interviews.

[tigersalive]

Lol, so that's now Lids AND Bowden that refuse to talk to the Age.    

[cub]

How can any player play IN D50 and not apply defensive pressure  

He has done it right in front of me, was very angry to say the least, pizz weak actually.

[Ox]

Typical.

Joel is too good to do anything and still can't cop being dropped.

How dare anyone DROP him to the twos.

w a n k a.

[cub]

Lol, so that's now Lids AND Bowden that refuse to talk to the Age.    

Lids, missed that one, what''s the story there - 

[tigersalive]

Lol, so that's now Lids AND Bowden that refuse to talk to the Age.    

Lids, missed that one, what''s the story there - 

They wrote poo about him more than once and then I think Robert Walls wanted to do an interview and article on him and Deledio told him where to go and so Robert wrote his article without it, but also had a crack at Deledio for refusing in the article.

Still haven't seen a Deledio interview in the Age since.   

[tigersalive]

Typical.

Joel is too good to do anything and still can't cop being dropped.

How dare anyone DROP him to the twos.

w a n k a.

We dont even know if that's true Ox.  He might have been sick of what was wrote in the media by these vultures rather than what actually happened to himself.