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Dale Thomas (footballer)

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Dale Thomas
Personal information
Original team(s) Gippsland Power
Debut Round 1, March 4, 2006, Collingwood vs. Adelaide, at Telstra Dome
Height / weight 184cm / 80kg
Playing career1

Collingwood (2006-)

41 Games, 29 Goals
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2007.
Career highlights


TAC Cup

  • TAC Cup 2005 Grand Final Best Player
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Dale Thomas (born 21 June 1987) is an Australian rules footballer playing for Collingwoodin the Australian Football League. He known for his spectacular high marking and goal kicking.

Career

Thomas collected 20 disposals and kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance in Gippsland Power’s TAC Cup premiership, and also won selection in the All-Australian under-18 side and the TAC Cup Team of the Year, prompting the Magpies to select him with their first pick, number two overall, in the 2005 AFL Draft.

2006

Thomas made his debut in the AFL in round one of the 2006 AFL Season, in Collingwood's match against the Adelaide Crows. Thomas gathered 16 possessions, kicked two goals and performed a spectacular mark on the shoulders of 2 Adelaide players. In Collingwood's round two win against Hawthorn gathered twenty possessions and was nominated for the 2006 AFL Rising Star award.

During the 2006 ANZAC Day match against Essendon Thomas was nominated for both Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year.
On August 5, Thomas suffered an injury to his collarbone [1].
On September 2, Thomas kicked four goals in the VFL for Williamstown in a 45 point win over the Northern Bullants in the 1st Qualifying Final.
Thomas played his first AFL Finals match on September 10 and won the Mark Of The Week.
On 28 September Dale performed on the Grand Final Footy Show with other Collingwood stars singing a church hymn at the start to a rising picture of Eddie McGuire.
Thomas was on the front cover Collingwood's Black & White magazine and stated in the article that he was overwhelmed at first by all the people that recognised him. Thomas won the Collingwood Harry Collier trophy for best first year player in the 2006 season.

2007

2007 has been a big year for Thomas. He has been one of the reasons for Collingwood's unexpected run of form. A player with a lot of smarts and very high skill level, Thomas has been compared to James Hird.[citation needed] Playing all over the ground this year, Thomas has shown a rare ability, as he has been good where ever played. He was one of the match winners in round ones win against the 'roos, as he was one of the main players leading the fightback. Round 3 against the Tigers he was one of best afield, collecting 25 disposals and a week later his second half against Port Adelaide in the wet was exceptional. He was solid on Anzac day, proving once again his love for the big stage. His season then was steady without being brilliant, as a tired and injured Thomas played his role in a winning side. The split round gave him a well deserved break and he came out of it better than ever. Dale was awesome against Sydney in Collingwood's shock win. He kicked a career high 4 goals and was the match-winner. He is a very hard worker who rarely puts a foot wrong and here he was getting his reward. The next week Thomas was nearly yet again the match winner with a late goal against the Hawks, but on that particular day the Hawks ran over the inaccurate 'pies. A week later and it was all to good as Dale put on a show at the MCG vs St Kilda. A game played in the wet, Thomas was outstanding. The just-turned-20-year-old was best on ground. Just when the 'pies fans felt like leaving, Thomas once again turned match winner. James Hird like, the future star booted 3 goals, one disallowed. That goal could have been a minor contender for goal of the year, but it was out of bounds, since being dubbed the "non-goal of the year"[1]. It was a Peter Daicos-like goal that had even Michael Voss stunned, until, of course, the commentary panel realised it was invalid. His year has continued to blossom since. He has been solid, apart from minor blips including a below-standard 13 possession game towards the season end, in all remaining games up to round 20.

Trivia

  • He has developed many nicknames like "DT", "Thommo", "Sparky", "Floppy", "Floppos" and "Daisy" amongst the Collingwood faithful. This is in part to his trademark flowing hair and name.
  • He has won the Mark of the Week three times to date.
  • His sister Jessica plays state league netball for Gippsland Storm.
  • He owns a racehorse with some friends called Royal Riff Raff, which is sponsored by the Royal Hotel in Drouin.
  • He was one of four school captains at Drouin Secondary College in 2005.
  • He polled 4 votes in the 2007 Brownlow Medal.
  • He played for Gippsland Power with Scott Pendlebury.
  • He played every game of 2007.
  • He used to barrack for Geelong.
  • His hero was Gary Ablett Snr.
  • He used to watch Ablett videos over and over and recreate the goals and marks in the backyard to build up his footy skills.
  • He polled 46 votes at the 2007 Copeland Trophy finishing sixth overall.

References

  1. ^ Real Footy (14 July, 2007). "Pies' lucky No. 13". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
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