Dale Thomas (footballer)
| Dale Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Nickname(s) | Daisy, DT | ||
| Original team(s) | Gippsland Power | ||
| Debut | Round 1, 4 March 2006, Collingwood vs. Adelaide, at Telstra Dome | ||
| Height / weight | 185 cm / 84 kg | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
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Collingwood (2006-)
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1 Playing statistics correct to the end of Round 13, 2009. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
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| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Dale R J.[1] Thomas (born 21 June 1987) is an Australian rules footballer for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League.
Early life
Dale Thomas grew up in Drouin with his mother Kaye, father Darryl and his sister Jessica. His parents separated when he was 13. As a child, he idolised Geelong Cats superstar Gary Ablett, who also grew up in Drouin. He idolised Gary Ablett so much that he used to repeatedly watch his grandfather's tapes of Ablett and Geelong and recreate Ablett's marks and goals. His favourite highlight was Ablett's one handed mark over Collingwood's Gary Pert in Round 7, 1994.[2]
Thomas played his first junior football at age eight, later moving on to play with the Hallora under-12s. His mother was dedicated to her children's sporting dreams; she kicked footballs with Dale and shot netballs with sister Jessica.[2]
According to his father, during his first stint as captain of the under-14 Drouin team he won the toss but forgot which direction he had chosen and kicked a behind for Tooradin, the opposing team. Regardless, Drouin won by ten goals and Dale's behind was Tooradin's only score.[3]
In 2003 he was selected in the Under-16 Vic Country squad playing on the wing. He was later selected in the 2005 Vic Country squad playing on the half forward flank. He was the Vice-Captain of the Gippsland Power squad in 2005, scoring goals in 14 out of 18 games for the Power. He was one of four school captains at Drouin Secondary College in 2005.[4] Thomas collected 20 disposals and kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance in Gippsland Power's TAC Cup premiership, and was selected in the TAC Cup Team of the Year.
In the TAC Cup 2005 Grand Final he won best on ground with 4 goals and 20 disposals. He took a high flying specky in the second quarter, and kicked a dribbling goal from the boundary.[5] He was also named as an All-Australian in the 2005 Under-18 Championships as a half forward flank, in which he represented Vic Country.[6]
Thomas was regarded by many media commentators as one of the most likely to be picked high in the AFL draft and certainly to have attracted the eye of AFL recruiters.
Professional AFL Career
Dale Thomas was selected by Collingwood with their first pick in the 2005 AFL Draft (the second pick overall).[7]
2006 AFL Season
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 disposals, kicked two goals and took a spectacular mark on an Adelaide opponent's back. In Collingwood's round two win against Hawthorn gathered twenty disposals and was nominated for the 2006 AFL Rising Star award. By round two he had become a cult figure at Collingwood.[8]
During the 2006 ANZAC Day match against Essendon Thomas was nominated for both Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year. He took a spectacular mark over Essendon player Andrew Welsh.[9] He also kicked a memorable goal, baulking an opponent and kicking from 50 metres under pressure.[10]
Thomas' season was marred by an injury to his collarbone on August 5.[11] Thomas returned to play in Collingwood's defeat in the 2006 First Elimination Final to the Western Bulldogs, where he took a spectacular mark on the shoulders of an opponent.[12]
He became so popular in his first season of AFL that his guernseys bearing his name sold twice as many as then Captain Nathan Buckley at the club's merchandise shop.[2]
2007 AFL Season
During 2007, Thomas was played in a variety of positions including a regular role in the midfield and the forward line, and also instances in defence. He played every game in the 2007 season. He was considered a match-winner in the Round 1 fightback against the North Melbourne Kangaroos, and was also judged one of the best afield in Round 3 against the Richmond Tigers where he collected 25 disposals. After being injured three days earlier against the Port Adelaide Power, he battled in the traditional ANZAC Day game against the Essendon Bombers.
In Round 5 Thomas was reported after accidentally striking Essendon player Patrick Ryder. The AFL match review panel took 10 seconds to find Thomas not guilty.[13]
He was fined $1,500 for being involved in a melee between Collingwood and Carlton on Round 7.
Highlights of the 2007 season came during a match against the Sydney Swans where Collingwood was considered underdogs with a depleted defence. Thomas recorded a career high 4 goals, and was thus awarded three Brownlow Medal votes. He was also judged best afield by commentators against St Kilda where he recorded 18 disposals and 2 goals.
Most memorably he slotted through a neat goal from the boundary line while being chased by two St Kilda players; commentators labelled it "Goal of the Year" until it was judged out-of-bounds, this incident has since been dubbed "non-goal of the year".[14]. Thomas played a vital role in the Pies' finals matches. His runs down the ground in the Semi Final and Preliminary Final are considered some of the most important plays in the Pies' win against West Coast and close loss against Geelong.
Thomas' year ended with a career-high four votes at the Brownlow count and placing sixth in the Copeland Trophy count.
2008 AFL Season
Thomas began his 2008 campaign with style in Round 1 of the 2008 NAB Cup in Dubai, where he took a "specky" on the shoulders of his Adelaide opponent . Three weeks later, he kicked a freakish goal against Port Adelaide during a practice match at Princes Park - as the ball was bounced in the goal square, Thomas dodged both ruckmen, jumped in the air and kicked the ball over his head through the goals, right on the siren.
Thomas was ranked at number 42 in Mike Sheahan's "Top 50 Players".
Thomas was named one of the best in Collingwood's opening game against Fremantle, after kicking two goals and collecting 15 disposals. Two weeks later, in Round 3 against Richmond, he kicked three goals, including a superb right-foot kick from the boundary line, dribbling through for a goal (nominated for, and winning, Goal of the Week), as well as taking a mark on the shoulders of Tiger Joel Bowden, resulting in a goal. Both pieces of play were also nominated for the collingwoodfc.com.au 'Pie Plays of the Day'. Thomas gained another nomination for Mark of the Week in the next around against Carlton, leaping high to take a mark on the shoulders of both opponents and teammate Anthony Rocca.
Thomas was named in the extended squad, but was not included in the match-day squad for the Victorian team in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match which was played on May 10.[15] Upon being named, he said:
"It would be fantastic to play in the match, because it's the first time State of Origin has been back for a while, and I remember growing up watching it on the telly so it would be great to be a part of. Hopefully I can get a kick, if I manage to get into the side. It's always good to play with great players, and in my first two years, I was lucky enough to play with Bucks (Nathan Buckley). To play on the same side as some of the greats of the game would just be a great thrill."
Thomas endured a heavily-publicised "form slump", the first of his career, after poor performances against North Melbourne, Essendon and Hawthorn, and averaging only 13 disposals.[16] He returned after the Hall of Fame break by defying his critics with a 21-disposal game, playing mostly on St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo.[17]
In Thomas' 50th AFL match, against the reigning premiers Geelong, he amassed 18 disposals, playing on the 2007 Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel, in Collingwood's 86 point win, which was the Cats' first loss of the season and second loss in 28 matches. His opponent Bartel collected 20 disposals, but most of these were ineffective disposals and clanger kicks, and Bartel had the lowest disposal efficiency with 55%. Thomas kicked a goal labelled as "Daicos-like" by Channel Seven commentator Bruce McAvaney. He scooped the ball after a loose ball on the 50-metre-arc, ran in ten metres while being chased by Geelong opponent Cameron Ling, and kicked a checkside goal that dribbled through from the boundary. It was nominated for, and won, Goal of the Week. [18] He starred in Collingwood's 100-point thrashing of West Coast Eagles with 20 disposals and three goals. His first goal was the result of a handpass from teammate Rhyce Shaw on the half-back line. He ran nearly 100 metres, taking four bounces, weaving between West Coast opponents, and slotted the goal 40 metres out, and celebrating on his knees in front of the Collingwood cheer squad. [19] He also received a cut lip which required stitches.[20]
He was fined $900 by the AFL for wrestling with Essendon's Kyle Reimers Round 6.
He played in the annual split-round game against the Sydney Swans in Sydney, and kicked three goals - two from "screamers" in the first and second quarters, and the other from an uncontested mark. Thomas was heavily tagged in the second half, but Collingwood ran away with a 29-point win, and Thomas was named as one of the best on ground, and one of his marks nominated for Mark of the Week. Thomas was also a star against St Kilda following a horror week at Collingwood, and collected 22 disposals (thirteen contested), kicked a goal, took a "screamer" and also a courageous mark running back with the flight of the ball.
Thomas injured his knee against Port Adelaide in Round 20, after landing awkwardly in a marking contest during the third quarter. According to Collingwood official Greg Walsh, Thomas had developed bleeding and swelling on the back of his calf, but was in contention to play the following week. However, he missed the last two games of the home-and-away season, with the official complaint as an upper calf injury. [21]
Thomas returned from his injury to play in the First Elimination Final against the Adelaide Crows. He collected 20 disposals and kicked one goal within seconds of the three-quarter-time siren from the fifty-metre arc, which he later described as a "fluke". [22] His goal, received from a tap from Shannon Cox, was later described by Jackie Epstein as a "team-defining moment"[23], and by Andrew Faulkner as one of the "goals of the season"[24] Commentator Anthony Hudson called it a "stunning accidental goal" at the time.[25]
Thomas ended the 2008 season with an average of 15.72 disposals a game and 1.04 goals a game.
Thomas was selected to represent Australia in the 2008 International Rules Series, alongside teammate Scott Pendlebury and many other AFL stars.[26] Thomas had a successful International Rules Series, gathering 19 disposals in the first test, and 16 in the second. He also saved a possible Irish goal when he chased and tackled Irish player Paddy Bradley in the goal square late in the first test. In the second he showed the Irish how he plays the game flying high for a mark but unfortunately not holding the unfamiliar round ball.
2009 AFL Season
Thomas stated that he was hoping to spend more time in the midfield in 2009.[27] Thomas got what he wanted when he started his 2009 season in the midfield.[28] In the first round of the NAB Cup against West Coast he got 16 disposals and took a big mark over an opponent’s back. In the second round of the NAB Cup against Richmond he was a substitute up until half time. He finished the match with 7 disposals. In both of these matches his fitness was up and he was hard at the ball. Thomas was one of the best-on-ground for his performance in the third round of the NAB Cup against Essendon. Playing in the backline he racked up 22 disposals and went forward and kicked 2 goals. He also was the highest ranked player for the match. After another strong performance in the midfield against Geelong in the NAB Cup GF, he played in the midfield against the Adelaide Crows in Round 1. He had 21 possession and 3 goal assists finishing the match as one of Collingwood's best.
Speculation about Thomas possibly being drafted to the new Gold Coast Football Club team started when Andrew Hamilton reported for the Herald Sun saying "Collingwood's Dale Thomas is the latest name to be linked to the Gold Coast."[29] Thomas later denied these rumours on his blog saying "It has been brought to my attention that an article was written today stating: “Collingwood’s Dale Thomas is the latest name to be mentioned in connection with the (Gold) Coast.” I want to be the first to say that while the weather and lifestyle would certainly appeal to me, I don’t think that will be happening! I am happy here at Collingwood and am not looking to move.[30]
After missing Round 2 with gastroenteritis, Thomas returned to face the Cats. He finished the match with 20 disposals and a goal. Thomas played against Brisbane in Round 4. His job was the shut down Brisbane player Josh Drummond, which he completed successfully. Dale Thomas had another good performance against Essendon in the traditional ANZAC Day Clash. Another good match against North Melbourne in Round 6 could see Thomas play in the midfield more. Thomas signed a new 2-year contract for Collingwood on May 10, 2009.[31] Thomas played against StKilda in Round 7 but came off the ground late in the last quarter with a knee injury. 2 rounds later Thomas returned to face Port Adelaide in Round 10.
Popularity
Thomas has managed a level of popularity among Collingwood fans that is helped by his dynamic style of play and hair style.[2][32].
Personal life
Thomas co-owned with some friends a racehorse named Royal Riff Raff, which was sponsored by the Royal Hotel in Drouin. It also won the Drouin Cup on Boxing Day 2007. After selling the horse he bought a horse called Village Slickers.[1]
He was named fifth sexiest footballer of 2008 in the Herald Sun Footy Fans Survey 2008.[33]
Thomas is a recreational surfer. While on a surfing trip with friends at Cape Patterson near Inverloch, Victoria, he saw a shark fin about 15 metres away from his surf board. He said "I was absolutely shitting myself." Upon seeing the shark he left the water very quickly, swimming 85 metres to the shore.[34]
Media work
Thomas has become a regular guest panellist on the Nine Network's The AFL Footy Show, after two appearances in 2007 and several more in 2008, including an appearance on the Grand Final Footy Show. In 2006 he was also in the player's revue dancing with several other Collingwood players.
Thomas also writes his own blog, sponsored by Telstra.[35] He writes blogs often and uploads videos about himself and life as a footballer.
Thomas has made appearances on Network Ten's Before the Game. He was nominated twice in 2008 for the show's "Tool of the Week", and was voted "Tool of the Year" by viewers for his video blog filmed in his shower.
Thomas has appeared in several TV commercials. He was in an ad for McDonald's McHappy Day.[36] He was in an ad for Mainland Cheese Bites with teammates Shane Wakelin, Alan Didak and Brodie Holland.[37] He appeared in a Channel 7 promo with Nathan Buckley, where he spraypaints the number 13 onto Nathan Buckley's jacket, which ends with Buckley putting on the jacket and saying how the number 13 will never catch on because "the kids love number 5", which Thomas replies to by saying that he thinks number 13 is "getting pretty popular", it ends with a shot of both their backs showing number 13 on them.[38] A Toyota Dream Team ad alongside Leigh Matthews, where he questions Matthews about whether he has put Thomas in his Dream Team, Matthews says that he isn't, so Thomas tries to persuade him to add him, which ends with Matthews saying that he won't put him in.[39] An ad for Footy Kickers, where two men at a local football club training session watching players who can't kick the football properly, are eating potato chips. One man gets a Dale Thomas Footy Kicker card and says "if only we had kickers like Dale Thomas". The man flicks the card and Thomas magically appears and shows the team how to kick, the ad ends with Thomas eating potato chips with the two men.[40] An ad for Telstra, which he posted on his blog.[41] He also had a spot in an ad for Herald Sun AFL Footy Cards alongside other AFL players.
Statistics
- Statistics are correct as of Round 10, 2009 (June 1, 2009)[42]
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Goals | Behinds | Kicks | Marks | Handballs | Disposals | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Collingwood | 13 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 138 | 88 | 87 | 225 | 21 |
| 2007 | Collingwood | 13 | 25 | 19 | 21 | 268 | 154 | 126 | 394 | 74 |
| 2008 | Collingwood | 13 | 22 | 23 | 13 | 216 | 129 | 130 | 346 | 51 |
| 2009 | Collingwood | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 75 | 38 | 42 | 117 | 23 |
| Total | 70 | 55 | 43 | 697 | 409 | 385 | 1082 | 169 | ||
| Average | 0.8 | 0.6 | 10.0 | 5.8 | 5.5 | 15.5 | 2.4 | |||
| Best | 4 | 4 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 25 | 7 | |||
References
- ^ a b virtualformguide.com. "The Virtual FormGuide - Form History for Royal Riff Raff".
- ^ a b c d realfooty.com (9 June 2008). "Pie in the sky".
- ^ Weekly Times Now. "Dale's found footy direction".
- ^ sporttalk.com.au. "Top 10 AFL Rising Stars of 2006".
{{cite web}}: Text "5 September, 2006" ignored (help) - ^ smh.com.au. "Thomas wins it for Gippsland".
{{cite web}}: Text "24 September, 2005" ignored (help) - ^ afana.com. "Magpie Dale Thomas was the Round 2 Rising Star nominee".
{{cite web}}: Text "17 April, 2006" ignored (help) - ^ footydraft.com (2005). "2005 Mock AFL Draft Player Bio Dale Thomas".
- ^ afl.com.au. "Thomas lands Rd 2 Rising Star".
{{cite web}}: Text "11 April, 2006" ignored (help) - ^ YouTube. "Dale Thomas Mark On ANZAC Day".
- ^ YouTube. "Clinton Grybas calls Dale Thomas' 2006 Anzac Day GOTW".
- ^ abc.net.au. "Pies hopeful youngster will play again this season".
{{cite web}}: Text "7 August, 2006" ignored (help) - ^ YouTube. "AFL - Dale Thomas Specky Vs Western Bulldogs 2006".
- ^ afl.com.au. "Thomas found not guilty".
{{cite web}}: Text "1 May, 2007" ignored (help) - ^ Real Footy (14 July 2007). "Pies' lucky No. 13".
- ^ Herald Sun. "Hall of Fame Tribute Match: Victoria".
{{cite web}}: Text "14 April, 2008" ignored (help) - ^ Herald Sun. "Magpie strugglers on last chance".
{{cite web}}: Text "16 April, 2008" ignored (help) - ^ The Age. "A doubting Thomas is back in form".
{{cite web}}: Text "18 May, 2008" ignored (help) - ^ realfooty.com.au. "Magpies swoop to leave Cats flat-footed".
{{cite web}}: Text "24 May, 2008" ignored (help) - ^ realfooty.com.au. "On-song Magpies crush one-hit wonders".
{{cite web}}: Text "1 June, 2008" ignored (help) - ^ Herald Sun. "Daisy pushing up to best form".
{{cite web}}: Text "1 June, 2008" ignored (help) - ^ Collingwood Football Club. "Thomas knee outlook positive".
- ^ Herald Sun. "Dale Thomas' match-defining goal was a fluke".
- ^ Herald Sun. "Pies eye super September".
- ^ The Australian. "Magpie Army draws its September battle lines".
- ^ YouTube. "Highlights - Collingwood Elimination Final 2008".
- ^ collingwoodfc.com.au. "Two Pies represent Australia".
- ^ collingwoodfc.com.au. "Dale craves more midfield time".
- ^ Fox Sports. "Dale Thomas focus of new-look Pies".
- ^ Herald Sun. "Gold Coast push to change anti-poaching laws".
- ^ Dale Thomas. "I'm not going anywhere!".
- ^ collingwoodfc.com.au. "Thomas, Shaw commit to Magpies".
- ^ http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22372819-5011880,00.html
- ^ Herald Sun. "Herald Sun Footy Fans Survey 2008".
- ^ Herald Sun. "Surfing Pie Flees Shark".
- ^ Telstra BigBlog. "Dale's Blog".
- ^ YouTube. "Dale Thomas McHappy Day Ad".
- ^ YouTube. "Thomas, Wakelin, Holland, Didak In Mainland Cheese Bites TVC".
- ^ YouTube. "Dale Thomas and Nathan Buckley Channel 7 Promo".
- ^ YouTube. "Dale Thomas Dream Team Ad".
- ^ YouTube. "Dale Thomas Footy Kickers Ad".
- ^ Dale's Blog. "Be Involved".
- ^ "Dale Thomas statistics". AFL Tables. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
