Loyal Tiger takes his curtain callMartin Boulton | August 13, 2009
SOME retiring AFL players hang up their boots with an eye towards a possible assistant coaching job. A few open pubs, some have aspirations to join the media and some settle for regaling dinner companions with stories of their on-filed heroics.
Richmond veteran Joel Bowden has more than a few ideas about his life post-football, but for now the 31-year-old is simply looking forward to a few precious days on the snowfields with his children.
''I haven't spent a weekend at the snow, and that's something I plan to do,'' the dual All-Australian said.
''A couple of weeks ago, when my brothers were in town, they took my kids to the snow and I was really disappointed - that's something I want to do with them.''
For the past 14 winters, Bowden's weekends have revolved around his unwavering commitment to Richmond, which he first represented in round 17, 1996. He plays his 265th and final game for the Tigers against Collingwood on Saturday - his 143rd game at the MCG. ''That's where I've worked, on the biggest stage of all, and it's been sensational,'' he said yesterday.
Drafted to the Tigers under the league's father-son rule, Bowden recalls his father - 1969 premiership player Michael - talking about the club's ''time of great success'' long before he came to Punt Road.
''I probably didn't really understand that until a couple of years ago, when I'd only played in one finals series. When I arrived in 1996, Richmond had just played in a preliminary final and I thought all my Christmases had come at once - Richmond was on the way back up and I was going to be part of a successful team.
''That didn't occur straight away. It took a little while and a change of coach or two before we did make the finals.''
He's proud to have played on some of the game's brightest stars, including Nathan Buckley, James Hird and Robert Harvey during his days as a midfielder, and the likes of Jonathan Brown, Nick Riewoldt and Brendan Fevola in more recent years as a defender.
Bowden leaves the club in a state of transition, desperate to again become a force in September.
While there's obvious disappointment with the club's lack of on-field success, Bowden has an enormous capacity to look on the bright side of life.
''I left Alice Springs when I was 17, moved down and played with 250-odd players, met some great people, had some great experiences and will be better for it,'' he said.
''I'll leave Richmond as a better person, richer for the experience of being here.''
Bowden twice won the club's best and fairest award, twice represented Australia against Ireland and ends his career fourth on the club's list of games played.
''I won't miss the scrutiny and probably won't miss the early-morning starts, but on the whole AFL footy is a great occupation … I've enjoyed it immeasurably.
''I'll miss the fact footy gives you so many opportunities.''
Bowden will step down as president of the AFL Players Association at the end of his term in February.
After that, he's free to plan a holiday in the snow and explore the next stage of his life, which he says could involve post-graduate study and maybe, one day, a return to football.
''I've got a broad amount of experience … if that leads me back to football, an industry that has given me so much, I'd be happy to entertain that thought and perhaps give something back.''
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/loyal-tiger-takes-his-curtain-call/2009/08/12/1249756351713.html
