Paul Thomas
Central District and Essendon
AFL career
8 games1 goals
- Debut
- R4 2005 v GEE16 Apr 2005
- Most recent
- R22 2005 v MEL28 Aug 2005
Stats
Bio
A prolific ball-winner and SANFL legend, Paul Thomas earned two separate opportunities at AFL level through sheer weight of performance in the South Australian state league. Originally rookie-listed by the Adelaide Crows in 2002 as a small forward, he failed to break into the senior side and returned to Central District, where his dominant form—culminating in the 2004 Magarey Medal—demanded the attention of recruiters. Essendon offered him a second lifeline with a late pick in the 2004 National Draft, deploying him as a hard-working midfielder and half-back flanker. While he managed eight games for the Bombers in 2005, including a goal against Carlton, he was unable to cement a permanent spot in the lineup. Thomas returned to Central District to carve out one of the most decorated careers in SANFL history, captaining the Bulldogs to a dynasty of premierships and eventually transitioning into senior coaching.
Profile
- Born
- 06 May 1982 (age 44y 175d)
- Height
- 182 cm
- Weight
- 80 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionA prolific ball-winner and SANFL legend, Paul Thomas earned two separate opportunities at AFL level through sheer weight of performance in the South Australian state league. Originally rookie-listed by the Adelaide Crows in 2002 as a small forward, he failed to break into the senior side and returned to Central District, where his dominant form—culminating in the 2004 Magarey Medal—demanded the attention of recruiters. Essendon offered him a second lifeline with a late pick in the 2004 National Draft, deploying him as a hard-working midfielder and half-back flanker. While he managed eight games for the Bombers in 2005, including a goal against Carlton, he was unable to cement a permanent spot in the lineup. Thomas returned to Central District to carve out one of the most decorated careers in SANFL history, captaining the Bulldogs to a dynasty of premierships and eventually transitioning into senior coaching.