Richmond Tigers and Darwin footy legend Michael Bowden dies, aged 73

THE Darwin and wider Australian footballing community is mourning the death of 1969 Richmond Tigers premiership player Michael Bowden after he sadly lost his battle with motor neurone disease.

Michael Bowden with his son Joel after the Johnston by-election earlier this year. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THE Darwin and wider Australian footballing community is mourning the death of 1969 Richmond premiership player Michael Bowden OAM after he lost his battle with motor neurone disease on Saturday.

Bowden, 73, played 59 senior games for the Tigers between 1967 and 1971 and gathered 19 disposals, including a game-high nine handballs, in the 1969 Grand Final.

During his Premiership season Bowden played 20 games and led the competition with 194 handballs – 40 more than any other footballer – being an integral part of Richmond’s success.

Bowden, a ruck-rover, was highly regarded for his work ethic, team-first attitude and ability to burrow into packs to win the hard ball.

He also captained the Tigers to the 1971 reserves flag in what was his final game for the club.

Off the field, Bowden devoted his life to improving conditions for indigenous people in the NT.

As a teacher and principal in Central Australia, Bowden learned some of the Pitjantjatjara and Arrente languages to better connect with Aboriginal kids in the classroom and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in January this year for “service to the indigenous community of the Northern Territory”.

Bowden was also a one time adviser to former Education Minister Syd Stirling and community development manager at the Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation in Alice Springs.

Bowden founded O’Loughlin Catholic College’s ‘The Big Bike Ride’ in 2009 — a 122km journey from Mandorah all the way back to O’Loughlin in Karama — which raised money for breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and many other critical causes.

A decade later in 2019, while Bowden was at the height of his battle with MND, the then 72-year-old completed his 11th Big Bike Ride, this time raising money to help others fighting the debilitating disease.

“Every year has been a major achievement for every kid who has ridden and their families,” he told the NT News at the time.

“They face the challenge and grow, and year after year they see the important role they can play in the wider community.”

Bowden is survived by wife Judy, daughter Majella, and sons Sean, Rhett, Kane, Joel, Patrick and Charlie who were raised in Alice Springs before reuniting in Darwin in recent years.

Sean (six matches), Joel (265, including two Jack Dyer medals) and Patrick (25 for Richmond and 50 for the Western Bulldogs) followed in their father’s footsteps in wearing the yellow and black.