Career
In 1935, Bawden played with Victorian Football Association (VFA) club Oakleigh. He then returned to country football before joining Richmond in 1939. Over the course of his career there Bawden acted as second ruckman to Richmond great Jack Dyer.
He also participated in three losing Grand Finals, in 1940, 1942 and 1944.
From 1946 onwards for a few years he played for City and then Cornwall in the Northern Tasmanian Football Association (NTFA).