Former Richmond defender Joel Bowden has been inducted into the AFL Northern Territory Hall of Fame as a Legend.

Bowden, 34, played 265 games for the Tigers from 1996-2009, and had great impact in the backline with superior ball handling, devastating left foot and calmness under pressure. 

Joel was one of four Bowdens to represent the Yellow and Black, with his father Michael, a 1969 premiership player, and brothers Sean and Patrick, also playing for the Club. Patrick and Joel played together at Richmond in 2006 and 2007.

Bowden, who spent much of his childhood living in Alice Springs, was recruited to Richmond via the father-son rule in 1995, after representing the Northern Territory Schoolboys in 1993. He was named in the All-Australian Schoolboy’s team, and won the J.L Williams Medal for best player in the championships.

Bowden’s decorated AFL career with the Tigers included back-to-back Jack Dyer Medals in 2004 and 2005, All Australian selection in 2005 and 2006, three finals matches and Australian representation twice in the International Rules series in Ireland in 2001 and 2004.

Bowden was inducted as a Legend along with fellow Territorians, Nathan Buckley and Peter Burgoyne. The three inductees join current Legends, Bill Dempsey, David Kantilla, Michael Long, Michael McLean, Maurice Rioli and Darryl White, who were inducted in 2010.