Mark Bomber Thompson sorry as family and former teammates rally around fallen champion

A HELMET-wearing Mark “Bomber” Thompson has apologised to fans over his shock drug charges as it emerges the police informant in his case was also involved in raids that netted Mathew Stokes while the pair were at the Geelong Cats.

MARK “Bomber” Thompson has apologised to fans over his shock drug charges and revealed he is in the dumps.

A woman, believed to be his daughter, visited the Essendon and Geelong champion at his Port Melbourne home yesterday, where she delivered him groceries.

AFL greats and former teammates yesterday rallied behind the fallen footy enigma as they struggled to understand his demise.

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Mark Bomber Thompson leaves his Port Melbourne warehouse home. Picture: Mark Stewart

Mark Bomber Thompson escapes his home on his bike. Picture: Mark Stewart

The police informant in the Thompson case was also involved in raids that netted Mathew Stokes while the pair were at the Geelong Cats.

Thompson, 54, has been charged with seven counts of drug trafficking and possession after police allege they found illicit substances including ice, ecstasy, LSD, and ephedrine scattered throughout his home.

His outlaw bikie roommates, Bandido-linked Karl “Bang Bang” Holt and Rebels associate Thomas Windsor, have also been charged with serious drug offences.

After being holed up in his warehouse-style apartment most of the day, Thompson cycled away on his bike just before 3pm, apologising to those who supported him.

“Just tell them that I’m sorry that they’ve had to put up with this and put up with me,” the 54-year-old said.

“But hopefully they’ll get through it.”

A woman, believed to be Bomber’s daughter, delivers groceries. Picture: David Crosling

When asked if he was surprised he had been charged, he confirmed he had been under investigation for some time and had not decided how he would plead.

“I was always under investigation, I suppose,” he said.

Upon returning home about 90 minutes later, he said he was “not good” and “pretty down”.

“It’s been a pretty hard time,” he said.

Divisional Response Unit detective Senior Constable Naomi Bourke, who tried to convince a magistrate not to grant Thompson bail, had been part of a police squad which raided retired Cats player Stokes’ home as part of a wider drug investigation.

Stokes escaped conviction and was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to possessing one gram of cocaine in 2010.

Former teammate Tim Watson said yesterday he had tried to reach out to Thompson but never heard back.

“I’m in a state of disbelief,” he said on SEN radio.

“I can’t comprehend that the person that I played ­football with … could find himself in a situation that he’s found himself in now.”

Jimmy Bartel, who won two premierships under Thompson, said he was saddened by the turn of events.

Former Geelong forward Cameron Mooney said Thompson was a “father figure” for many of the young players who had joined and played for the club.

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