Dukes of depth - Saturday 19 August 2000
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You know, dynasties resonate throughout history. The illustrious Ming
dynasty in China. The Habsburgs provided crowned heads of Europe during
the 1700s and 1800s. The Petty dynasty, good ol' boys of US Nascar. The
TV show of course and the Kiss cover band. But in football a famous
dynasty is the Bowers at Richmond. Brendan toiled from the mid to late
'80s. Darren 3 games in 1987. But the best remembered as a finals player
was Nathan.
Nathan Bower followed his brothers down from Mildura, a town that used to be in the Tigers old country zone. Richmond drafted Nath with 1989 national draft selection 15. Bower started in the Under 19s. He resembled a Bardot song - an instant hit. Made an important midfield contribution to the Richmond thirds' 1989 grand final victory over North Melbourne. NB then progressed to the reserves, a step up in standard. He spent 1990 refining his considerable array of skills. Bower played a stately 20 games at twos level. He was berobed with the regal cloak of senior football in 1991. Wore the number 22 jumper distinguished by Mike Perry and Barry Rowlings. Over his first season the youngest of the Bower clan had some useful games in the ones mostly on a wing. Could get the ball and dispose of it effectively with hand and foot. Plus for a kid he exhibited defensive skills. But in learning the senior arts, he was sometimes sent back to the rezzies to develop his confidence. It all started to happen in 1993. Bower gave a spirited performance in the Fosters Cup final against Essendon. James Hird might have taken marks and kicked goals but Nathan Bower presented all night. Chased, tackled and smothered. He got a stack of possessions and distributed well. Late in the last quarter he ran back with the flight of the ball which dropped sharply . The kid could have been blasting off for Mars - going into the unknown. But he took the mark. The Dons may have lifted that funny little cup on the dias but Bower gave an indication of the sublime. He had some trouble with ankle and groin injuries that slowed his progress in '93 and '94. He returned through the reserves. It was clear as tank water Nathan had a class that cried out for more senior activity. 1995 was a year of living magnificently for number 22. Round 9 was notable for Matthew Richardson colliding with signage on the fence at the SCG and busting his knee. The Tigers gave their all. Early in stanza 3, Bower ran on to a looping pass from Michael Gale and running towards the boundary line kicked on his left over the right shoulder. Fantastic full pointer from 35 metres. The Tiges a huge win 17.14 to 14.6. Nathan kept top form going into round 11. West Coast at Optus. Set up goals for Naish and Maxfield. Halfway into the third, he took a fine mark and rammed home a goal from 45. Richmond a fantastic victory. 18.15 to 9.9. Bower clashed heavily with Paul Barnard in the the round 18 win over Hawthorn 13.21 to 8.7. The most exciting chapter in the book of Bower was the 1995 final series. The second qualifying final against the Roos under lights on Friday night at the MCG. Bower tagged Schwass. He ran off the North star and set up goals for Benny Gale and the Daff. Unfortunately the Tigers lost 12.12 to 17.12. The second preliminary final. Geelong at Waverley. The sashes got comprehensively rolled 6.4 to 20.9. But Bower played his heart out. He sparked up supporters after he ran on to a bouncing ball and goaled from 50 on a 45 degree angle. Injuries struck again next season. Bower played a great game in round 8 of 1997. The young Punt Roader booted two goals in the win over the Eagles at the G. It was one of his three games for the season. Unfortunately the B boy was dropped off the list at the end of 1998. 66 games in the ones, 65 in the twos. He recently resigned as captain-coach of VFL side the Bendigo Diggers. A talented link in the dynamic dynasty of yellow and black. |
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