Dale Thomas has the last laugh as Carlton upset Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday

CRADLING his right arm, Dale Thomas must have had his heart in his mouth but he would return to have the last laugh against his former club.

Dale Thomas on the bench after copping a knock to his elbow.

DALE Thomas must have had his heart in his mouth.

Cradling his right arm as he ran to the boundary line late in the first quarter, the rueful thoughts running through Thomas’ brain could be heard from the stands.

The 28-year-old sat on the bench momentarily before being taken down to the rooms, not to return before the siren.

Everyone knows the rotten luck the Carlton midfielder has endured on the injury front in recent years.

An ankle injury ruined the back end of his stay at Collingwood and ensured his time at Ikon Park started slowly, before a shoulder injury suffered in Round 1 last season kept him to just five games for the year.

But just as it seemed his much-maligned Blues career was turning a corner - he played his best game for the club with 26 touches and a goal in the Essendon win last week - his right elbow was severely compromised in a tackle gone wrong on half back.

And against the Magpies of all teams.

But then, as players lined up again for the second term, there he was - albeit strapped up - and ready to soldier on.

Dale Thomas kicks Carlton into attack.

As pleasing as his presence must have been for Blues fans, Pies supporters appeared just as happy because they were able to carry on giving their 2010 premiership hero plenty of stick from the sidelines.

Thomas, however, would have the last laugh.

In two previous games he had played against his former club - both in 2014 - the Blues had copped 15 and 34-point losses.

So for Thomas, this was the sweetest case of third-time lucky.

When he sold candy on Adam Oxley on the wing in the third quarter - a passage of play that led to a Marc Murphy goal - he was suitably cheered from the ground by Carlton fans.

And when a 50m penalty allowed him to ram home a vital six-pointer early in the last term the cherry was well and truly atop his celebratory cake.

There was no overt show of emotion from Thomas as the final siren sounded down.

He pumped his fist once before putting his hands to his knees, looking more relieved than exalted.

Dale Thomas and Patrick Cripps have a laugh after the siren. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

With 16 kicks, five handballs and a goal to his name, Thomas was just happy to get the job done.

“It’s something you try and distance yourself from, try and not get too caught up in the emotion (of playing against your old club),” Thomas said on Channel 7 post-game.

“I spent some great years there and have still got a lot of great mates there so I’ll just take the win and leave that stuff to you guys.

“Our group’s been building this season, it hasn’t been pretty sometimes but today we got the job done and we’ll certainly take that.”

Thomas admitted he was concerned after coming off in the first term.

“It wasn’t great,” he said.

“Sore elbow, twisted it the wrong way. I was a little bit worried there, but I’ll be all right.”