Mark Thompson no shows court but will fight drug charges against him

Essendon great Mark “Bomber” Thompson failed to show at court but will fight the allegations of drug trafficking that have been made against him.

Former Essendon and Geelong coach Mark “Bomber” Thompson will fight a series of drug trafficking charges at a contest hearing in June, his lawyer confirmed today.

Thompson, 55, wasn’t in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday for the latest mention in his case stemming from three charges of drug trafficking and four counts of drug possession.

Defence lawyer Peter Matthews said both sides were ready to proceed to a contested hearing on June 24.

Thompson’s Port Melbourne home was raided by police in January last year, when officers allegedly found a magnetic lockbox containing the drugs MDMA, ice, Xanax and a single LSD tab, along with Thompson’s DNA.

Mr Matthews previously told the court the charges would be fought.

In May 2018, while leaving his Port Melbourne home on his bike, Thompson apologised to those who had supported him.

“Just tell them that I’m sorry that they’ve had to put up with this and put up with me,” he said.

“But hopefully they’ll get through it.”

As a footy plater and coach Thompson had been wildly successful, captaining Essendon to a premiership in 1993 and also winning flags in 1984 and 85.

As a coach he took the Cats to premierships in 2007 and 2009 before he went back to Essendon where he was James Hird’s assistant before the Essendon supplements saga hit.

When Hird was suspended, Thompson was appointed senior coach for the 2014 season.

With AAP