Former AFL star Dale Thomas helps Nhill Tigers to drought breaking Wimmera football win

A 1029-day drought is over after former AFL star Dale Thomas played for Nhill to secure a famous win.

A 1029-day drought has been broken after the Nhill Tigers scored a “euphoric” Wimmera league win on Saturday, thanks to the help of a former AFL star.

Former Carlton and Collingwood gun Dale ‘Daisy’ Thomas helped Nhill hold on for a two-point win against finals fancies the Southern Mallee Giants 7.6 (48) to 6.10 (46).

More than 1500 people flooded through the gates at Davis Park, braving the wintry weather to catch a glimpse of Thomas and watch the Tigers try to end their lengthy drought.

In the windy conditions Nhill conceded four consecutive goals and trailed by 16 points at halftime before a blistering third term saw the Tigers pile on five goals to none to take a 13-point lead into their final break.

In the last quarter the Giants pushed forward repeatedly but couldn’t finish the job in front of the goal, with Nhill holding on for a famous win.

Senior coach Trevor Albrecht, who took on the job late last year, said his side were desperate to hold onto the win.

Dale Thomas and the Nhill Tigers celebrate a drought-breaking win. Picture: Gayle Newcombe

“You don’t see a crowd like that very often, maybe only for a preliminary final and so the players knew it was going to be a huge day,” he said.

“Daisy was equal to the day. I told him he was going to start on-ball and then he played behind the ball for the rest of the day.

“I believe we got the best bloke out of the draft. He played his heart and soul out and was super competitive and ran in and celebrated with everyone at the end.

“It was euphoric.”

Thomas was selected to play for the Tigers via the Carlton Draft competition, venturing four hours up the Western Highway to help the struggling Wimmera club.

Dale Thomas in action for Nhill on Saturday. Picture: Gayle Newcombe

Albrecht said he believed the win would help the club continue on their improvement they have already made in 2022.

“Just in this one day, from the experience they have got, they will have learnt three years worth,” he said.

“We have led some other teams at times during this year and so when we match up against them next I think this experience will allow us to come back with more confidence.”

After eight games in the Wimmera league, Ararat remain undefeated with Minyip-Murtoa and Stawell forming the chasing pack.

Nhill is last on the ladder but only percentage behind Dimboola, who lost 12 premiership points after being found guilty of breaching their salary cap earlier this year.