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After an illustrious career spanning 202 games at Essendon, Thompson has been at the helm of Geelong for five seasons. He guided Geelong to the preliminary final and the Wizard Cup grand final in 2004, the club’s best season since 1995. Thompson’ strategy of developing a list through the draft and shrewd trading has now been seen as a blueprint in rebuilding a club.
Thompson has overseen an almost total overhaul of the club’s playing list since being appointed in September 1999, with only seven players remaining from the squad he inherited. Thompson’s 114 games rank as the fourth most in club history and he will move into third place in round three.
Thompson was one of Essendon’s greatest players, earning a position in the Bombers team of the century and being rated as the 20th greatest player in club history.
After retiring he spent three seasons as Essendon reserves coach, guiding the team to two grand final appearances. He moved onto North Melbourne in 1999 as assistant coach under Denis Pagan and helped the Roos to the flag before taking up the reigns at Skilled Stadium.
PLAYING HISTORY
1983-96: 202 games, 50 goals with Essendon
Captain 1992-95
Member of 1984, 1985, 1993 AFL premiership teams
Member of 1984, 1990, 1993 Fosters Cup premiership teams
Member 1983 AFL reserves premiership team
Best & Fairest 1987 & 1990
Played 1 state of origin game for Victoria
Named in Essendon team of the century
Named as Champion of Essendon (#20)
AFL team of the year 1990
COACHING HISTORY
1996-98: Essendon assistant coach
1999: North Melbourne assistant coach
2000- : Geelong senior coach
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