Adrian Bowden was somewhat of an enigma. He really didn't have time for footy. His interests were far more widespread. Bowden's unassuming style didn't detract from his effectiveness however, he played football simply for entertainment. Although Bowden made it to the top at football, he was also an excellent scholar, who more than made it in his chosen field - geology. But firstly to football.
Bowden's interest in Aussie rules started at New Town High. He represented the State at Under 14 level but also excelled at athletics. Bowden like so many of that era then graduated to Hobart Matriculation where they played in the amateur league while still at school. It was at these levels that Bowden was exposed to major influences on his career. At high school he was coached by Bobby Parsons and at Matriculation College by Robin Hood. Both coaches concentrated on nothing but skill and it was this trait that saw Bowden come under the notice of talent scouts in the VFL.
In 1966 an 18 year old Bowden was recruited straight from the amateurs to play with Melbourne. Over the next two seasons he played almost thirty senior games with the Demons before turning his back on football for professional reasons. Bowden, who was studying, went to Timor as an exploration geologist. He was out of football for two seasons but returned to Tasmania in 1970 to complete his degree.
It was then that a controversy arose as to which TFL team had the option on his services. Clarence coach John Bingley had persuaded him to play with the Roos but Sandy Bay claimed he was their property. It was finally resolved and as history now shows, Bowden starred at Centre Half Back in Clarence's first premiership team.
Bowden was renowned as a tough backman who gave no quarter. His tear through, straight ahead style made him a regular at representative level. Recalling his selection in the famous 1970 side that defeated Western Australia, he said "I was 19th man but it those days it was hard to get a run; interesting game all the same" he added in typical matter of fact style.
Bowden played the next five seasons with the Roos before studies and injury forced him away from the game for another 2 seasons. During this period however he turned his hand to commentating on Channel 6's World of Sport. Bowden returned for one last season in 1977 before finally retiring to concentrate on his profession. He taught at the University of Tasmania before eventually moving to Melbourne. Described by one local commentator as being as "tough as teak", Adrian Bowden's record stood at 123 league games, representing the State 3 times and the TFL 7 times; winning the Weller Arnold Medal in 1971.
Reflecting on his playing days he recalled his initiation to the VFL. "It was quite daunting really. I lined up on players like Ted Whitton, John Sharrock, Darrel Baldock, Ken Fraser, and even played on John Nicholls once."
Of his TFL team mates: none were more inspirational than John Bingley. He led from the front and wouldn't ask anyone to do something he wasn't prepared to take on. Of the opposition "Sandy Bay's Graeme Mackey gave you the run around, as did Geoff Graham from Glenorchy. There was also a red headed bloke from New Norfolk - Graeme Glover - you knew you were in for a tough time when he was about."
These days Adrian Bowden still lives in Melbourne, is a hydro-geologist and his company specialises in the exploration and contamination of underground water. His profession sees him travel all over South East Asia and the Pacific. This week when we spoke, he had just returned from Manilla and was off to New Zealand next week.
Away from work Bowden and his wife enjoy bush walking and tennis while their daughter, Meredith, is keen on hockey. "I'm as fit as a fiddle and have even taken to surfing and snow boarding" he remarked. "I rarely get to the footy because of work and other interests but have followed Clarence's recent good fortune through the press."
Adrian Bowden was one of the unassuming stars of the league. But there is no doubting his effort in making Clarence's first premiership, one to remember.
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