Michael Thomson
Essendon and Richmond
AFL career
88 games46 goals
- Debut
- R4 1981 v HAW20 Apr 1981
- Most recent
- R2 1990 v NTH6 Apr 1990
Stats
1990 | RCH | 2 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 |
1989 | RCH | 10 | 8.7 | 5.4 | 14.1 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 47 |
1988 | RCH | 12 | 10.1 | 7.7 | 17.8 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 59 |
1987 | RCH | 18 | 10.8 | 7.4 | 18.2 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 61 |
1986 | ESS | 14 | 8.5 | 5.7 | 14.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.4 | - | 0.3 | 0.4 | - |
1985 | ESS | 6 | 8.2 | 5.2 | 13.3 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.8 | - | 0.8 | 0.3 | - |
1983 | ESS | 13 | 10.9 | 7.0 | 17.9 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 1.9 | - | 0.7 | 0.8 | - |
1982 | ESS | 3 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | - | 1.7 | 0.0 | - |
1981 | ESS | 10 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 7.5 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.9 | - | 0.8 | 0.5 | - |
Bio
Recruited from local zone club Aberfeldie, Michael Thomson was a versatile utility whose career at Essendon was largely defined by the challenge of breaking into Kevin Sheedy’s powerhouse 1980s lineup. While he displayed early potential as a forward and wingman—highlighted by a five-goal haul against Footscray in the opening round of 1982—he often found himself on the fringe of the dominant "Baby Bombers" squad. He missed out on the 1984 and 1985 senior premierships due to fierce competition for spots and a serious shoulder injury, though he did play a key role in the club's 1983 Reserves flag. Seeking regular senior football, Thomson was cleared to Richmond in 1987, where he reinvented himself as a rugged key defender, relying on his strength and spoiling tactics to man the full-back position during a lean era for the Tigers. He eventually returned to Essendon via the 1990 mid-season draft but did not add to his senior tally, finishing his career as a dependable clubman who served two big Victorian clubs with distinction.
Profile
- Born
- 26 Nov 1961 (age 64y 329d)
- Height
- 187 cm
- Weight
- 86 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from local zone club Aberfeldie, Michael Thomson was a versatile utility whose career at Essendon was largely defined by the challenge of breaking into Kevin Sheedy’s powerhouse 1980s lineup. While he displayed early potential as a forward and wingman—highlighted by a five-goal haul against Footscray in the opening round of 1982—he often found himself on the fringe of the dominant "Baby Bombers" squad. He missed out on the 1984 and 1985 senior premierships due to fierce competition for spots and a serious shoulder injury, though he did play a key role in the club's 1983 Reserves flag. Seeking regular senior football, Thomson was cleared to Richmond in 1987, where he reinvented himself as a rugged key defender, relying on his strength and spoiling tactics to man the full-back position during a lean era for the Tigers. He eventually returned to Essendon via the 1990 mid-season draft but did not add to his senior tally, finishing his career as a dependable clubman who served two big Victorian clubs with distinction.