Former Central District captain Paul Thomas has lost his job as a Crows development coach
Adelaide has been forced to stand down 80 per cent of its staff to reduce costs in the wake of the coronavirus, and a former SANFL star is among those to lose their jobs.
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Central District premiership captain Paul Thomas has no doubt AFL lists will be significantly reduced next season as clubs slash football funding.
Thomas has become a victim of Adelaide’s massive structure overhaul in the wake of the COVID-19 virus crisis, losing his job as a development coach after five seasons with the Crows.
And he is adamant players will not be spared in the desperate need to save cash, predicting lists will be cut by as many as 10 players to 35.
“I would imagine in 2021 list sizes will be heavily cut and clubs will need to go to 35,” he said. “They need to save money, need to cut $2m from the program to make up for where they were before the virus took over.
“Players won’t get the opportunity to be on lists like they did, you can’t afford to be paying guys $140,000 and not playing AFL. If you have 35 players, you only need six coaches at most.
“The list (management) team has four or five people, they will probably have only two or three. Potentially coaches will have dual roles and have to burn the candle at both ends.”
The Crows have stood down 80 per cent of their staff and Thomas was not surprised when he received a phone call on Wednesday to be told a restructure was necessary.
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The Magarey Medallist had a year remaining on his contract and said there had been no discussion on his coaching or relationships with people, the decision was prompted by the club’s financial strain.
While Thomas is still keen to pursue a career in football, his immediate future is likely to be in his previous work as a teacher.
“I’m disappointed, but I understand what is happening in the world at the moment,” Thomas said. “I loved my time at the Crows and Don Pyke and Scott Camporeale are some of the best minds in the game, they are elite and I learnt so much.
“Nathan van Berlo, Ryan O’Keefe, I learnt something off everyone. This is a little hiccup to work through and I’m pretty clear on what I want to do in coaching in the AFL industry.
“I feel I am more than capable of being a line coach in the AFL, I’m ready for that role.”
Originally published as Former Central District captain Paul Thomas has lost his job as a Crows development coach