One door opens, another …Michael Gleeson | August 11, 2009
ON SATURDAY, Brendon Gale delivered his resignation as chief executive of the AFL Players Association to his former teammate Joel Bowden, the PA's president.
Today, Bowden will announce that his playing days at Richmond are over, just as his former teammate returns. He will play his last game against Collingwood on Saturday.
''It looks like the game against Collingwood at the weekend will be my last game for the Richmond Football Club,'' Bowden, 31, said on SEN last night.
''We have been talking to the club over the last six or seven weeks about whether or not I would be able to get back in the side and about whether or not I would be able to get a farewell game. It looks fairly certain that I will against Collingwood, [but] I can't say that 100 per cent.
''I will hopefully play my final game and celebrate upstairs with my testimonial dinner. Hopefully it all goes well, I can acquit myself well, play a good game and finish with Richmond on a high note and we can beat the Pies.''
The dual All-Australian and Jack Dyer medallist has not played since round 11 despite solid form in the VFL.
Richmond has flagged for some time that Bowden would likely be given a farewell, particularly with his testimonial dinner at the MCG on Saturday night.
Originally from Northern Territory, Bowden was drafted to Punt Road under the father-son rule and has played 264 games to be ninth on the club's list of most games played. He said last night that when he left home 14 years ago to embark on his career, his father, Michael, gave him two $50 notes and wished him luck. It was $100 well spent.
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