Star Adelaide Crows midfielder Scott Thompson to retire from AFL football at the end of the season
ADELAIDE Crows great Scott Thompson will call an end to his mighty AFL career at the end of the season.
CROWS great Scott Thompson will retire at the end of the season.
The powerful midfielder, who has played just one AFL match this year because of injuries and form (but could still play a part in the club’s finals campaign), says the time has come to pull the pin on his illustrious 17-season AFL career.
The 34-year-old is scheduled to hold a press conference at the club in front of his teammates at 2.30pm (SA time).
“I entered this season knowing it was most likely my last and it has turned out to be one of my most rewarding,” Thompson told the club’s website.
“While playing the majority of this season in the SANFL, I have realised how much I love the game and in particular helping and mentoring the younger players and seeing them develop.”
Thompson has played 308 AFL games since being drafted from Port Adelaide Magpies by Melbourne with pick 16 of the 2000 national draft.
He played 39 matches for the Demons before joining Adelaide at the end of 2004, in exchange for draft pick 12.
Thompson has played 269 matches for the Crows — ranked eighth at the club behind Andrew McLeod (340 games), Tyson Edwards (321), Mark Ricciuto (312), Ben Hart (311), Nigel Smart (278), Simon Goodwin (275) and Mark Bickley (272).
An All-Australian in 2012 when he finished third in the Brownlow Medal and dual club champion (2011-12), he is Adelaide’s leading possession-winner with 6752, clearance-winner (1338) and tackler (1313).
Illustrating his consistency, Thompson has finished in the top-10 in the club’s best and fairest voting in 10 of his past 11 seasons.
“I consider it an absolute privilege to have played at the elite level for so many years,” said Thompson, who managed just 10 disposals in his sole AFL game this season against the Western Bulldogs in Round 16.
“I have heard many others say it is the camaraderie and friendship inside the change rooms that you miss most when you retire and I will be no different.
“The current group is not just full of talent, but also great blokes who have a genuine care for each other and a desire for team success.”
Crows coach Don Pyke described Thompson as “a true champion of the Adelaide Football Club’’.
“From the day that he arrived at the club he has been a fantastic leader both on and off the field who has helped those around him improve,’’ Pyke said.
"To play at such a high standard for more than 300 games is a credit to him and his professional approach to the game and he will leave a longstanding legacy at the club.
“I would like to wish Scott and his family the very best for the future.”
Thompson has indicated he will pursue a career in coaching when he finishes playing at the end of the season.
andrew.capel@news.com.au