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Re: Other clubs delistings/Want out - 2014
A write up on Thompson mid year. Doesn't sound too bad.
Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie says key defender Luke Thompson is nearing career-best form following another fine performance from the 23-year-old against South Adelaide on Saturday.
Thompson minded SANFL leading goalkicker Brett Eddy during Adelaide’s crucial 45-point win over the Panthers and held the dangerous forward to a single major for the majority of the match.
Eddy, who booted seven goals in South Adelaide’s 78-point demolition of North Adelaide the previous week, added a second goal to his tally late in the final quarter when the result was beyond recovery.
After being overlooked for AFL selection in 2013, Thompson impressed in Adelaide’s cut-throat Showdown XXXVII victory in Round 15 in his first senior appearance of the season. The athletic defender has also been a consistent enforcer amongst Adelaide’s young SANFL backline in 2014.
Younie said Thompson had been a standout all season for Adelaide’s state league team.
“Luke has probably been in the best form that he has been in over the past few years,” Younie told afc.com.au after the SANFL Crows’ second win at Noarlunga in 2014.
“We give him the biggest job each week. Today he did an outstanding job on Eddy and his last month or so he’s been really solid.”
“His opportunities will come.”
Midfielder Mitch Grigg echoed his coach’s sentiments, and said Thompson was one of the most reliable backmen at the Club.
“Thommo is just that sort of bloke - you can give him a job, and he’ll fulfill it week-in, week-out,” Grigg said.
“He’s already a great defender, but he’s also becoming a great rebound defender for us as well.
“He’s definitely adding that attacking aspect to his game.”
Thompson collected 14 disposals, seven marks and three rebound 50ms against the Panthers on Saturday and provided great drive from the Crows’ half-back line. It followed a gallant display in the wet against West Adelaide last week, where Thompson finished with 21 possessions and nine rebound 50ms – equaling Brodie Smith for the most defensive rebounds in a game by a Crow at either AFL or SANFL level this year.
A typically modest Thompson said his teammates deserved the plaudits for helping him shape his stellar season in defence.
“I think it more a case of the pressure from up the field, it just makes my job a lot easier,” Thompson said.
“But all the boys down back were all good, like Hartigan and Shawry in his first game back. Radar was also great back there as the ‘General’ with his voice.
“It was just a good all-around effort from the boys.”
Thompson said he reveled on the challenge of lining up against the best forwards the competition has to offer, and expected the responsibility to stand the South Adelaide spearhead leading into the contest.
“I like getting the big jobs and the chance to play on a good quality player like Eddy,” he said.
“It was good to play alright on him and get another scalp, so to speak.
“But it’s always a hard trip to come down to Noarlunga and South have been playing some pretty good footy.
“So to come down and knock them off for the second time this year is a great effort. The boys couldn’t be more happy.”
A write up on Thompson mid year. Doesn't sound too bad.
Crows SANFL coach Heath Younie says key defender Luke Thompson is nearing career-best form following another fine performance from the 23-year-old against South Adelaide on Saturday.
Thompson minded SANFL leading goalkicker Brett Eddy during Adelaide’s crucial 45-point win over the Panthers and held the dangerous forward to a single major for the majority of the match.
Eddy, who booted seven goals in South Adelaide’s 78-point demolition of North Adelaide the previous week, added a second goal to his tally late in the final quarter when the result was beyond recovery.
After being overlooked for AFL selection in 2013, Thompson impressed in Adelaide’s cut-throat Showdown XXXVII victory in Round 15 in his first senior appearance of the season. The athletic defender has also been a consistent enforcer amongst Adelaide’s young SANFL backline in 2014.
Younie said Thompson had been a standout all season for Adelaide’s state league team.
“Luke has probably been in the best form that he has been in over the past few years,” Younie told afc.com.au after the SANFL Crows’ second win at Noarlunga in 2014.
“We give him the biggest job each week. Today he did an outstanding job on Eddy and his last month or so he’s been really solid.”
“His opportunities will come.”
Midfielder Mitch Grigg echoed his coach’s sentiments, and said Thompson was one of the most reliable backmen at the Club.
“Thommo is just that sort of bloke - you can give him a job, and he’ll fulfill it week-in, week-out,” Grigg said.
“He’s already a great defender, but he’s also becoming a great rebound defender for us as well.
“He’s definitely adding that attacking aspect to his game.”
Thompson collected 14 disposals, seven marks and three rebound 50ms against the Panthers on Saturday and provided great drive from the Crows’ half-back line. It followed a gallant display in the wet against West Adelaide last week, where Thompson finished with 21 possessions and nine rebound 50ms – equaling Brodie Smith for the most defensive rebounds in a game by a Crow at either AFL or SANFL level this year.
A typically modest Thompson said his teammates deserved the plaudits for helping him shape his stellar season in defence.
“I think it more a case of the pressure from up the field, it just makes my job a lot easier,” Thompson said.
“But all the boys down back were all good, like Hartigan and Shawry in his first game back. Radar was also great back there as the ‘General’ with his voice.
“It was just a good all-around effort from the boys.”
Thompson said he reveled on the challenge of lining up against the best forwards the competition has to offer, and expected the responsibility to stand the South Adelaide spearhead leading into the contest.
“I like getting the big jobs and the chance to play on a good quality player like Eddy,” he said.
“It was good to play alright on him and get another scalp, so to speak.
“But it’s always a hard trip to come down to Noarlunga and South have been playing some pretty good footy.
“So to come down and knock them off for the second time this year is a great effort. The boys couldn’t be more happy.”
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