Playing hardball on Bowden
12 October 2004
Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
THE Western Bulldogs will play hardball on Patrick Bowden after knocking back an ambitious offer from Richmond on the final day of trading.
Richmond, knowing it had the option of nabbing Bowden with the first pick in the pre-season draft, offered pick 36 in return for Bowden and the Dogs' pick 38.
The Dogs quickly dismissed the deal, preferring to live in danger of losing Bowden to the pre-season draft than buckling for the sake of climbing two places in the national draft.
Although the Dogs would receive no immediate compensation if Bowden walked to the Tigers, there is a positive in the forward heading into the draft for uncontracted players.
If Richmond commits to Bowden, the Dogs would move up the batting order and have the second live pick in the pre-season draft.
The Dogs will meet tomorrow morning to discuss their stance on Bowden before having further talks with his manager Paul Connors.
"We'll let the dust settle and sit down and have a chat to see where it's at," Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton said yesterday.
It is believed the offer put to Bowden by the Dogs is significantly short of his asking price.
The Dogs resume training on November 1, but there is no guarantee the status of Bowden will become any clearer before then.
His manager Connors leaves on a break on Thursday and will not return until November 1.
Bowden has until November 30 to nominate for the pre-season draft.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,11046288%255E20322,00.html
