Former premiership-winning participant and coach Mark “Bomber” Thompson will return to the AFL fold with a particular position on grand remaining day.
Thompson, who coached Geelong to 2 premierships after profitable three flags with Essendon, has accepted the league’s invitation to current the Jock McHale Medal to the profitable coach on the post-game presentation.
It can be Thompson’s most notable public return to the sport since his conviction for drug possession in 2019 that had been the fruits of a interval of drug abuse he linked to a downwards spiral following his stint as an assistant coach on the Bombers throughout the dietary supplements saga.
Thompson was not current on the occasion on Monday when AFL chief government Gillon McLachlan introduced his position and people of premiership cup presenter Josh P. Kennedy and Norm Smith Medal presenter Chris Judd.
Thompson reconnected with former Essendon teammates earlier this 12 months for the 30-year reunion of the 1993 premiership facet on the MCG.
McLachlan mentioned he was “thrilled” that Thompson had agreed to be concerned within the season decider, calling it a deserving celebration of his profession as a participant and coach.
“I won’t speak for Mark, but I think in our game, people make mistakes. I think we have an ability to actually welcome people back and continue to celebrate their place and their role in the game, and that is certainly where Mark is,” McLachlan mentioned.
“He was a great player and a significant coach, and I’m really pleased he’s going to be presenting the trophy to the premiership coach.
“I hope it’s significant for Mark, and I think it’s significant for the game.”
Weeks away from departing because the AFL’s chief government, McLachlan mentioned he was “optimistic” a brand new AFLW CBA might be struck with the AFL Players’ Association this month.
“For those who think time is a pressure point, it’s not – I’m optimistic we’ll get it done, we’re pretty close,” he mentioned.
“I think it will get done, but if it doesn’t, (incoming chief executive Andrew Dillon) and the team will pick it up.”
McLachlan mentioned he was happy by the achievements in his remaining 12 months that included awarding Tasmania the nineteenth AFL licence and discovering what he mentioned was an answer to the Hawthorn racism investigation saga, which had led to him extending his tenure for 12 months.
“I’m thrilled to be leaving with record crowds, community football was pumping on the weekend, the AFLW was unbelievable with crowds on the weekend,” he mentioned.
“I’m thrilled to be leaving with Tassie done, hopefully the CBA, feels good … and it would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Hawthorn piece, I’m very pleased to have solved that, and that was a big part of me staying around, to finish that … it felt uncomfortable at this time last year, leaving with that unresolved.”
Source: www.news.com.au
