Joel's love of the gameGrey Morris
November 21st, 2009JOEL Bowden's 265 games with AFL club Richmond were one of his biggest life achievements.
That was Bowden's assessment of his 14-season AFL career that ended this year with a farewell appearance against Collingwood at the MCG.
In Darwin to speak at last night's NT Institute of Sport athlete awards, Bowden said his time at Richmond had been full of highlights.
There was no finger pointing or grudges held over his sudden exit from the senior side when Jade Rawlings took over as caretaker coach midway through the 2009 season.
"I'll remain eternally grateful for the time I spent at the club and the two best and fairest awards (Jack Dyer Medal) I won," he said.
"Combine that with two All-Australian jumpers and my role as president of the AFL Players Association (since 2007) and the 17-year-old who joined Richmond from Alice Springs in 1995 is pretty happy.
"If you had told me I would achieve all that I'd have taken it 11 times out of 10."
The West Alice Springs product was involved in his share of controversy, including the famous "rushed behinds" saga in 2008 when he ran down the clock by rushing two behinds from kickouts with Richmond six points in front of Essendon.
Bowden created endless debate - and a rule change - as the result of his actions.
Veteran Herald Sun journalist Mike Sheahan likened it to the infamous Trevor Chappell underarm delivery in a one-day cricket match against New Zealand in 1981.
Bowden may be gone from Richmond as a player, but he still bleeds black and gold blood.
Asked if he could give long suffering Tiger fans some heart after years in the wilderness since the club's last grand final in 1982 and flag in 1980, he called for supporters to maintain the faith.
"They must show a bit of hope and faith in new CEO Brendon Gale," he said.
"Richmond is in a rebuilding phase where they are developing the skills and bodies of their young players."
Coaching is not on Bowden's radar, despite suggestions he would make an ideal Thunder coach.
"I've retired as a player and probably need to sit down and assess all my options," Bowden said.
"But you never say never in this game."
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/11/21/102961_ntsport.html