Dale Thomas impresses despite Carlton’s loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday
AFTER a tumultuous few weeks, fielding questions about his future Dale Thomas wound back the clock against Melbourne at the MCG.
A SPECKIE on the MCG is just what the doctor ordered for embattled Carlton forward Dale Thomas.
After a tumultuous few weeks, fielding questions about his future, Thomas, 29, wound back the clock in the shadows of half-time with a vintage hanger just seconds after spraying a regulation shot on goal from directly in front.
With his right knee heavily strapped after a knock early in the quarter, spring-heeled Thomas, whose lucrative contract at Ikon Park has been the centre of attention, leapt off his left leg to climb on top of Melbourne speedster Jayden Hunt deep in the forward pocket.
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The mark not only sparked Thomas but the Blues after the long break.
Carlton piled on five unanswered goals to erase a 10-point deficit and send shockwaves through the Melbourne camp.
Thomas was in everything, too.
The 29-year-old with surgically repaired legs added 12 disposals in the third quarter, using his sublime foot skills to pump the ball deep into attack time and time again.
While Thomas did not get on the scoreboard himself, the attacking wave allowed Matthew Wright (three goals) and Sam Petrevski-Seton (one goal) to capitalise on the good work up the ground.
Thomas racked up 16 disposals in the second half to finish with 20 for the match to go some way towards keeping the wolves at bay – for at least a week.
The writing was on the wall early as Thomas hobbled to the bench in the second term having barely touched the Sherrin.
He went straight into the rooms for treatment and was not seen for several minutes before waddling back out onto the MCG turf to take the circa-2010 hanger.
Legendary coach Mick Malthouse can defend Thomas until he goes blue in the face, but at the end of the day, it is up to the former Collingwood flyer to prove the doubters wrong with more heroics on the hallowed MCG turf.
Originally published as Dale Thomas impresses despite Carlton’s loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday