Bowden pulls pinrichmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen Wed 12 August, 2009
RICHMOND'S Joel Bowden announced his retirement from AFL football on Wednesday.
Bowden will play his 265th and final match against Collingwood on Saturday at the MCG.
Bowden last played an AFL match in round 11 this year against the Bulldogs, gathering 32 disposals.
That was also Terry Wallace's last game as coach. When caretaker Jade Rawlings took the reins, the youth policy instigated at the club saw the Tiger veteran go to the VFL.
The 31-year-old was philosophical about his extended stint in the VFL this year, saying he understood the club's position.
"I would have liked to have played more games, but at the same time I see myself as extremely fortunate and lucky to be given the opportunity to play here," Bowden said in the social club at Punt Rd on Wednesday afternoon.
"Only on reflection has it dawned on me the honour and the privilege of playing AFL football.
"It [retirement] has been brought on by the fact that we haven't had a great successful era - 2001 was the last time that we played finals, and I understand and respect the wishes of the football club."
The consummate team man, Bowden still had the team in the forefront of his mind when thinking about this weekend's game.
"I'll be playing my last game and hopefully it'll be a good one – hopefully we can play well," he said.
"Collingwood have been in good form, and if we can acquit ourselves well, we'll be a chance to knock them off.
"It's an important game, and after last weekend game we need to acquit ourselves well, and I need to make sure that I go out on a good note, and hopefully that's playing well and having a win."
Bowden said his time at Richmond had been terrific, and had many great memories and experiences.
Bowden last missed a game through injury in round four, 1998, and said he wanted to make more time for his family, in addition to looking at doing a post-graduate course at university in business or administration.
Bowden explained how being a footballer meant he had never taken his kids to the snow, something he planned to rectify next year.
"I had an unfortunate weekend a couple of weekends ago, when my brothers were in town, and they took my kids to the snow, and I was really disappointed, because that's something I want to do with them," Bowden said.
"And next year, hopefully there's an opportunity where I can chuck them in the car, drive up there and make some snowballs and throw them around.
"My family comes first – for me, I need to be a good father and a good husband."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/82578/default.aspx
