Carlton’s Dale Thomas tapping back into his form of old after testing two years at the Blues

DALE Thomas has had to absorb more than his share of criticism in his first two years at Carlton, but his fortunes are starting to turn — and no one is happier than his old coach.

Dale Thomas celebrates Carlton’s win against Fremantle.

DALE Thomas didn’t need to say it publicly.

But his former coach, mentor and friend Mick Malthouse knew he was hurting.

Under the weight of a big-money move between two of the game’s fiercest rivals, coupled with a luckless run with injury, Thomas has had to absorb more than his share of scrutiny over his first two seasons at Carlton.

Arriving at the club on a lucrative four-year deal ahead of the 2014 season, the form of the 2010 Collingwood premiership star struggled in his first year at the Blues after he made his way back from a serious ankle injury.

Last year, Thomas was restricted to just five senior games after injuring his shoulder in the first minute of the opening match of the season.

While injuries were out of his control, the questions still came. Was Thomas worth the money? Did the Blues make the right call recruiting him?

Malthouse knows better than anyone the pressure that Thomas was under and never doubted the ability of the one-time fan favourite at the Magpies.

The former Magpies and Blues coach said criticism of the 28-year-old had been “grossly unfair”.

“People love to set you up and knock you over,’’ Malthouse said.

“That’s exactly what happens when a high profile player crosses, particularly (between) rival football clubs that have been rivals for 100 years.

“He would take that home with him. He would never display that publicly, but I know that he was hurting and I know that his partner (Hayley) would be hurting.

“The great thing about that now he is a father and he can go home and hopefully try to turn that off ... he has copped an unnecessary whack.’’

Dale Thomas turns back the clock against Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein

As the player affectionately known as “Daisy” dashed down the wing at the MCG last Sunday against Essendon in his best performance since joining the Blues, Thomas took a small, but significant, step towards silencing his critics.

In a match that turned back the clock to the dashing and creative Thomas of old, the Blues’ utility racked up 31 disposals — his highest tally since joining the club — while also laying seven tackles, taking six marks and kicking an impressive first-quarter goal.

While Thomas said on the eve of the season that he hoped his luck was “around the corner” this year, it hasn’t all been a case of fortunes simply turning for the former Magpie.

He will turn games, that’s the sort of player that he is.

- Mick Malthouse

Carlton midfield coach Tim Clarke said Thomas had done “nothing but impress” the Blues’ coaching staff over the summer in a bid to get his body right and set himself up for the season.

“My impression of Dale is how hard he has worked this summer as a footballer, regardless of whether he is coming back from injury or not,’’ Clarke said.

“His work ethic on the track and the way that he communicates and deals with the younger players at our footy club is first-class.

“He completed a massive chunk of our pre-season and ... I think being able to put all that together has meant he has the best crack at playing good football this season.

“The weekend’s game really showed that he has got a lot of work under his belt ... it was good for him to finally get some recognition outside the four walls.’’

Dale Thomas as a Magpie in 2012.

Dale Thomas in Carlton colours.

As Thomas prepares to face his old team Collingwood at the MCG today, Clarke said it was not the “flashy” side of his game that the Blues necessarily wanted to shine, but more his underrated defensive prowess.

“He does a lot of the things that people don’t notice,’’ Clarke said.

“People talk about the skill and the flashy side that Dale Thomas brings, but you look at the defensive stats and the amount of pressure he puts on the opposition, that’s where Dale adds real value to our footy team. He is a real defensive player who can also impact on the scoreboard.’’

Once described by then St Kilda coach Ross Lyon as perhaps the best player in the competition in 2011, Malthouse said Thomas was a “matchwinner” at his best.

The premiership coach was confident the one-time all-Australian could recapture his best form.

“I’m delighted that his luck is starting to turn because I know how good a bloke he is and how good a player he is and it’s coming together,’’ Malthouse said.

“He will get to the stage where he will get back close to his best and he will maintain it and he will turn games, that’s the sort of player that he is.

“If he is not having a great game you can bet that someone around him is because he is forever looking after his teammates.’’

The Blues are also confident Thomas, with his body now in a position to play ball, would be able to “prove himself” and his detractors wrong this season.

“Hopefully, he gets a really good run at it this year to show that he has still got a lot of really good footy left in him,’’ Clarke said.

“Hopefully that’s the way he can answer the criticism is to get out and play really good footy the way that we know Dale can play. I’m really pleased that his body is in really good condition which gives him the best chance to do that.’’