Full Name: MICHAEL BOWDEN
Date of Birth: 21/03/1947
Height: 185 cm ( 6-1 )
Weight: 94 kg ( 14-11 )
Guernsey: 11
Debut: 03/06/1967, Round 8, Collingwood
Last Game: 24/07/1971, Round 17, Geelong
RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 1967-71
Total Games: 59
Total Goals: 22
Honours: Premiership 1969.
RICHMOND RESERVES
Seasons: 1967-71
Total Games: 46
Total Goals: 20
Honours: Premiership 1971, Captain 1970-71.
BIOGRAPHY
Michael was a ruck-rover and half-back who joined Richmond from St.Kevin’s in 1967. He was a creative player who brought others into the game with his intelligent use of handball. He wore his socks down and wasn’t afraid to bore into packs to gather the ball. He as unlucky not to have played in the 1967 Finals series, after several good performances prior to the Finals. He was Richmond’s second best player in the 1969 Premiership win. In 1969, he had 40 more hand passes than any other player in the VFL despite missing the first three games. He captained the Reserves to the 1971 Premiership in his last game with Richmond. After leaving Richmond, he spent the remainder of his career playing and coaching in the Sunraysia League, where he won the League Best and Fairest in 1978. He did return to Melbourne in 1975 and 1976 as playing-coach of Camberwell.
He later moved to Alice Springs where he taught at the Catholic College. He was also heavily involved in helping the local Aboriginal Community, which included playing football in the local competition. He is the father of former player Joel Bowden (RFC 1996-2009), Sean Bowden (RFC 1990-91), Rhett (Port Melbourne FC 1991-1995, and District Cricket with Melbourne), Kane (Port Melbourne FC 1994-1995) and Patrick (RFC 2006-2007).
PRE RICHMOND
St Kevins College 1962-64 ( Honours - Best & Fairest 1964, Public Schools Representative Team 1964 ) ; St Kevins Old Boys 1966.
POST RICHMOND
Robinvale 1972-74, Games 50, Goals 73 ( Honours - Premiership 1972, 1974, Captain/Coach 1972-74, Coach League Representative Team 1973 ) ; Camberwell Captain/Coach 1975-76, Games 33, Goals 32 ; Red Cliffs Captain/Coach 1977-79 ( Honours - Sunraysia League Best & Fairest " McLeod Medal " 1978, Coach Sunraysia League Representative Team 1978 ) ; Mildura Imperials Coach 1982 ; West Alice Springs Captain/Coach 1988, Coach 1989.
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