Wallace poaching, say Dogs
By Stephen Rielly
September 15, 2004
The uneasy relationship that has existed between Terry Wallace and his former club, the Western Bulldogs, is threatening to become acrimonious, with the Dogs accusing the Richmond coach of mounting a raid on their players and staff.
The suspicion of a poaching campaign was confirmed in the minds of Bulldog staff last week when contracted midfielder Lindsay Gilbee informed the club he wanted to be traded, preferably to the Tigers.
Gilbee's demand, which has been refused, followed strong suggestions of an earlier approach to Patrick Bowden, the uncontracted younger brother of Richmond's Joel Bowden, more of which may be known today.
It is understood Bowden's agent, Paul Connors, will meet with Bulldog recruiting manager Scott Clayton this morning.
Clayton received an inquiry of his own from Wallace, as did the man who succeeded him as Bulldog coach at the end of 2002, Peter Rohde, who was sacked to make way for Rodney Eade before the season was out.
One of Eade's assistant coaches, Chris Bond, a fortnight ago declined an offer to cross to Punt Road. All three worked alongside the new Richmond coach at Whitten Oval.
Eade, who met with Gilbee yesterday and last week spoke with Bowden about Richmond's interest, said yesterday there was a clear pattern that was "bemusing".
"I've spoken to the players and the coaches involved. I suppose all is fair in love and war but it's interesting that Terry wants to talk to a lot of Bulldogs people, including staff," Eade said.
"We'll do everything within our power to keep those we want to keep, so that's fine. We know what's happening."
Gilbee, 23, is contracted for one more season and could leave the Dogs only if they chose to trade him, something they opted not to do at the end of 2003 when Essendon and Collingwood expressed interest in dealing for the midfielder.
Unlike Bowden, who could find his way to the Tigers via a trade or the pre-season draft in which Richmond holds first pick, Gilbee cannot simply walk out on the club for which he has played 51 games. He played 12 games this year.
"I spoke with Lindsay again today and told him again that he is absolutely required and we won't be trading him. He understands that," Eade said.
Wallace did not return calls yesterday but Bowden, who has played 42 games in four seasons, the first of those under Wallace, has indicated that playing alongside his brother is an ambition.
This time last year he chose to sign a one-year deal and as a relatively cheap and young potential key forward he is accessible to a Richmond that is cash-strapped this year, unlike last when it launched an expensive and successful bid for Nathan Brown.
It is understood that Daniel Cross and Sam Power are also out of contract at Whitten Oval.
