Scott Thompson says he’s enjoying his time playing with youthful North Melbourne team
SCOTT Thompson knows where he has come from and where he is going next but for now the veteran defender is just enjoying the ride with a rejuvenated North Melbourne.
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SCOTT Thompson knows where he has come from and where he is going next.
Before a decorated AFL career he played local footy for South Barwon and worked at McDonald’s for five years while finishing a commerce degree.
When they finally kick him out of this wild ride of an AFL career he will find a job mixing that degree with his current building/carpentry apprenticeship.
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Meanwhile, you will forgive him for living in the moment.
Thompson and fellow old-timer Jarrad Waite were literally the final Kangaroos contracted last year after North Melbourne’s season of mixed returns.
A handful of his teammates had been forcibly retired the year before, a rebuilding club was seen to have a handful of young talls to play instead of him.
And yet 11 rounds into the AFL season Waite is tearing up opponents and the Roos believe Thompson’s own form rivals his 2013 All-Australian year.
He might get some respite against Brisbane after a year taking on and beating Tom Lynch, Jesse Hogan, Jarryd Roughead and Jeremy Cameron.
Even if he doesn’t he will still bask in the moment, determined to enjoy every minute of a 210-game career that started at age 21.
The stats bear out the All-Australian comparison — he is still winning 16 possessions a game, but with more intercept possessions and marks and more spoils to boot.
Thompson spent last September in limbo, aware at 31 the club’s direction might end his career despite reasonable 2017 form.
“Yeah, I guess (September) was a bit of wait-and-see where North wanted to go with their list. You think about what you will do if a contract isn’t offered,” he said.
“I was happy though once North Melbourne called me and said they wanted me for next year.
“It was a situation I hadn’t really been in before, in limbo, not knowing what was going on. That’s the AFL system — you have to understand it’s not always about form, it’s about the future of the club as well.”
The Roos are on a wild ride, blending the experience of the old blokes with the flair of Jy Simpkin, the fierce tackling of Kayne Turner and the hard edge of Jed Anderson.
When the ride does end, Thompson will fall back on family and friends.
He spends a week working on his building apprenticeship on a site in Footscray, joking he does more organising of his five Roos defender teammates than building the practice houses they work on.
Wife Lauren and daughters Genevieve, four, and Zara, two, are a joy but his extended family is a critical focus, too.
Dad Don died in 2010 from bowel cancer that he had already fought off once, with mum Elaine barely missing a game across his entire career.
“Dad passed away halfway through my career which was a very sad time, but I always think of him and try to play for him and make sure he is proud of me,” he said.
“I always go out before every game and have him in the back of my mind, making sure I try my hardest and try to implement the values he taught me through my life.
“I just try to give it my all and do everything I can for the team. Mum missed the Tassie game recently but she came to Perth last week.
“She obviously enjoys going to the footy and she has only missed about four or five games in all, so it’s a pretty good effort.”
Under coach Brad Scott the Roos have pulled off the juggling act of retaining their experience while handing Majak Daw and Sam Durdin games in defence.
“So far the team has been really good and with the young and vibrant team we have got, it’s been a lot of fun,’’ he said.
“I have really enjoyed playing down back. There has been a lot of pressure on the ball from the forwards and mids, which helps a lot, and playing alongside Taz (Robbie Tarrant) is good.
“He just doesn’t lose a contest he goes to, so I am feeling good so far.”
Scott could so easily have headed elsewhere last year and yet right now he is in the conversation as the coach of the year.
“I obviously rate him as a coach,” Thompson said.
“The game plan that we have is really good. He is a great teacher and he not only teaches the younger guys but also people like myself new things each week.
“We have a game plan which is individualised to each team we play and so far it’s been working. I think everyone was rapt when he signed on and was staying around.”
Thompson’s form is so strong the Roos would be open to a conversation at year’s end if he can maintain the rage.
“I am really enjoying my footy at the moment. When you keep winning you never want to stop,” he says.
“But I haven’t really thought about it yet. We are travelling really well at the moment and it just depends how we go during the year and how I finish off the season.”
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Originally published as Scott Thompson says he’s enjoying his time playing with youthful North Melbourne team