Ross Thornton
Fitzroy
AFL career
146 games26 goals
- Debut
- R3 1980 v NTH12 Apr 1980
- Most recent
- R14 1989 v GEE8 July 1989
Stats
1989 | FIT | 5 | 9.8 | 3.4 | 13.2 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 51 |
1988 | FIT | 13 | 11.5 | 4.6 | 16.2 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 60 |
1987 | FIT | 20 | 11.9 | 6.3 | 18.2 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 66 |
1986 | FIT | 20 | 10.8 | 5.4 | 16.2 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 | - | 0.1 | 0.2 | - |
1985 | FIT | 4 | 9.8 | 4.8 | 14.5 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 | - | 0.0 | 0.0 | - |
1984 | FIT | 22 | 11.7 | 3.9 | 15.5 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 1.7 | - | 0.3 | 0.1 | - |
1983 | FIT | 20 | 9.0 | 3.5 | 12.4 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | - | 0.0 | 0.2 | - |
1982 | FIT | 16 | 10.3 | 4.8 | 15.1 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.4 | - | 0.3 | 0.4 | - |
1981 | FIT | 11 | 8.3 | 2.2 | 10.5 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.5 | - | 0.7 | 0.9 | - |
1980 | FIT | 15 | 10.6 | 3.8 | 14.4 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 | - | 0.0 | 0.0 | - |
Bio
Recruited from Camperdown in the Hampden League, Ross Thornton arrived at Fitzroy and quickly established himself as a fixture in the Lions' backline throughout the 1980s. Primarily operating as a back pocket or half-back flanker, Thornton was renowned for his discipline and close-checking capabilities, often tasked with nullifying dangerous opposition rovers. His consistency and defensive reliability were rewarded with the Percy Mitchell Medal as the club's best and fairest in 1984, a standout individual year that coincided with the Lions making a preliminary final appearance.
Thornton remained a loyal servant to the club during a decade that saw Fitzroy punch above its financial weight to feature in several finals campaigns. His standing within the playing group was highlighted in his final season, 1989, when he was appointed club captain. He retired at the end of that year, remembered by the faithful as an uncompromising defender who provided stability during one of the club's most competitive modern eras, eventually continuing his service as a director for the Brisbane Lions post-merger.
Profile
- Born
- 23 Oct 1956
- Died
- 25 Apr 2024 (aged 67y 185d)
- Height
- 179 cm
- Weight
- 81 kg
Teams
Honours
- Fitzroy B&F1984
Family
- Nephew:Fraser Gehrig
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Camperdown in the Hampden League, Ross Thornton arrived at Fitzroy and quickly established himself as a fixture in the Lions' backline throughout the 1980s. Primarily operating as a back pocket or half-back flanker, Thornton was renowned for his discipline and close-checking capabilities, often tasked with nullifying dangerous opposition rovers. His consistency and defensive reliability were rewarded with the Percy Mitchell Medal as the club's best and fairest in 1984, a standout individual year that coincided with the Lions making a preliminary final appearance.
Thornton remained a loyal servant to the club during a decade that saw Fitzroy punch above its financial weight to feature in several finals campaigns. His standing within the playing group was highlighted in his final season, 1989, when he was appointed club captain. He retired at the end of that year, remembered by the faithful as an uncompromising defender who provided stability during one of the club's most competitive modern eras, eventually continuing his service as a director for the Brisbane Lions post-merger.