Dale Thomas says he is open to offers after Carlton fail to offer a new deal

Carlton veteran Dale Thomas says the phone is on if anyone wants to offer him an AFL lifeline after revealing his disappointment at ‘having to retire’.

Dale Thomas is a much-loved figure at both Carlton and Collingwood.

Carlton defender Dale Thomas says the “phone’s on if anyone wants to ring”, not ruling out playing on next year if another club is interested.

Thomas this morning announced his retirement, effective at season’s end, but said it came with a “bit of disappointment”, having believed he could play on before being told by the Blues on Tuesday he would not be offered a new contract.

“I still feel I’ve done everything I can to give myself an opportunity to play next year,” Thomas said.

“The disappointment is I’m not going to be there to be a part of where this group’s going.

“The door closed only a day ago so I’m not sure as yet (about playing on elsewhere). The phone’s on if anyone wants to ring.”

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In typical Thomas style, there were a few jokes laced throughout his retirement speech including thanking Penfolds, in reference to the club-imposed suspension he received earlier this week for drinking wine 48 hours before a game.

“Also to Penfolds, they’ve been a great sponsor of mine. Bit of a joke. You can’t sack me twice,” Thomas said.

Thomas will play his 100th game for Carlton against St Kilda tomorrow, following 157 games and a premiership for arch-rival Collingwood.

Thomas said he hoped to be celebrated in retirement by fans of both clubs given his service.

“Collingwood fans…for a long while there loved me and at the same time they loved me the Carlton fans hated me and then it swapped,” Thomas said.

“Now to hopefully be loved by both of them (will be good).”

Dale Thomas says he is open to other offers

Thomas was not offered a contract by the Blues for 2020 and will play his 100th game for Carlton against St Kilda on Saturday.

“While this is something I didn’t want to hear, I was realistic that it was a chance to have happened,” Thomas said earlier this week.

“I also understand the direction the club is going, and I certainly understand that decisions have to be made.

“I have experienced so much in my career since walking in as a blond-haired kid from Drouin back in 2005.

“The opportunity to live out my boyhood dream for the last 14 years has been incredible, I am proud of everything I’ve been able to achieve.

“While the end has come quickly, I have no regrets whatsoever and am looking forward to these last two weeks, especially playing at the ‘G for the last time in front of our fans.”

Thomas turned 32 in June and has been in some of the best form of his Carlton career, with excellent performances in the past fortnight against Adelaide and Richmond.

But the improving Blues, who signed up new coach David Teague yesterday, are determined to continue to develop their young and exciting list.

They expect captain and best-and-fairest winner Sam Docherty to return in Round 1 next year after two ACL reconstructions, and also have high hopes for long-kicking half-back Tom Williamson despite continuing back issues that have plagued him this season.

First-round draft pick Liam Stocker has also been blooded as an attacking half-back this season, although he will eventually find his spot as a tough inside midfielder.

Thomas has been lauded for his leadership on and off the field despite missing a game this year for drinking at a charity function.

It’s unlikely, but not impossible, that a rival club might consider him for a single-season deal given his leadership and positioning as a half-back, where Luke Hodge has been extremely effective for Brisbane.

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Thomas arrived at Carlton from Collingwood in a storm of publicity at the end of 2013 on a four-year deal worth $700,000 a year. He was one of the most criticised players in the AFL as he battled for form amid ongoing ankle problems.

But after tearing up the final year of his lucrative contract, he has played on a series of one-year deals and found some of the form from his early seasons as a Collingwood star.

Thomas was one of Collingwood’s best players in both of their 2010 Grand Finals and remains a beloved figure with the Pies faithful.

Dale Thomas has recaptured some of his best form this season. Picture: Michael Klein

Meanwhile, the Blues have also shut down speculation of a nostalgic homecoming for veteran Adelaide Crows goalsneak Eddie Betts.

Carlton are on the hunt for a class small forward with Sydney’s Tom Papley, 23, and Gold Coast Sun Jack Martin, 24, at the top of their wish list.

But Betts, 32, will not be considered.

Club great Mark Maclure said he suspected Thomas, a member of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership team, would be off-loaded to give favourite son and 323-game defender Kade Simpson another year.

“Daisy has been all right but you’ve probably got to choose between him and Simpson,” Maclure said.

“Which one would you be choosing? How do you keep two old blokes in the backline?

“You’ve got (Sam) Docherty to come back in, (Caleb) Marchbank, (Nic) Newman, (Tom) Williamson and a bunch of kids.

“They’ve got ample in defence.”

Dale Thomas has been keen to play on with Carlton. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images.

Betts said rumours of his departure from West Lakes were “completely untrue” and unsettling.

He has been assured by the Crows that he’ll be at Adelaide in 2020.

“It drains the hell out of you,” Betts told 5AA.

“They could see it was affecting me, especially (coach) Don Pyke.

“He could see I was agitated and because these rumours have come out, I wanted the footy club to tell me, ‘You’re a required player here, we don’t want to get rid of you’, which was good.

“I have spoken to Don Pyke and Brett Burton … I’m contracted to the Adelaide Football Club and I’ll be playing footy for the Adelaide Crows (next year).”