Metis Wealth Milestone - Matt Thompson Clocks up 100 Senior Games
Andrew Thomson
Matt Thompson will "clock" up his 100th Senior game for the Western Magpies on Saturday.
The popular Thompson grew up at Tocumwal on the Murray River, before playing junior football for the Wagga Tigers prior to his family moving to Brisbane in 1998. He played at Everton for a year as a junior but due to player shortage decided to play with Sherwood and started at Chelmer in 1999 in the Under 14s under Kevin Stephens. He played junior football for the Magpies until 2002 when his family moved to Victoria and he went to board at Assumption College, Kilmore, famous for producing many top line AFL players.
Nicknamed "Clock" by a good mate in reference to him being born with a shortened right arm - "one short hand and one long hand!" - Thompson captained the second XVIII team, but forced his way into the First XVIII side towards the end of the season, and was part of a senior schoolboy premiership. While at Assumption, he played for Tocumwal (his original home town) during the school holiday breaks, and made this senior debut as a 17 year old.
His family returned to Brisbane in 2006 and it was natural for him to link up with the Western Magpies. In a successful year that yielded premierships for both the reserve and senior teams, he was best on ground in the Magpies Reserves premiership.
He graduated to Senior Football in 2007 under Paul Grentell, playing his first match against Mayne. Later that year he was a member of the team which was eventually runner up.
In 2008, he was part of a memorable Senior Magpies Premiership. He was named among the best in the 2012 Grand Final, his second senior premiership over arch rivals Palm Beach Currumbin.
During 2009-2010, he played a number of reserves matches when the Pies were again promoted to the QAFL State League (prior to the formation of the NEAFL), winning the QAFL Reserves leading goalkicker in 2009.
Clock is a favourite at Chelmer and has excited supporters with some big grabs and his goalkicking, which is usually reliable from inside 40 metres. His reading of the play and ability to take marks, as well as using clean ball handling skills are often marvelled at by both supporters and opponents alike. Interestingly, he is a right foot kick despite the right arm being the shorter one, however guides the ball with his left hand and rarely misses targets.
He has also had his share of injuries, missing large parts of the 2010 season with a torn PCL, and 2013 with a broken leg. He has recovered from these injuries to be a key player as the Western Magpies push toward a top three finish this season.
Thompson's time in the Seniors may be coming to an end as the former primary school teacher is just about to finish his medical degree and will become a doctor at the end of the year. Work will prevent him from playing regularly after this season so he he will be keen to have the Pies finish this year on a high note.
Thompson lists a number of players which he regards as the best he has played with. Among them are Anthony Corrie, Ed McDonnell, Jimmy Rozynski, Chris Mihalopoulos, and current teammates Luke Scott, Tim McEvoy and Val Pope.
The Western Magpies are pleased to welcome Metis Wealth Management - as a proud 2015 community partner and financial sponsor.
As part of Metis Wealth's partnership with the Western Magpies, you can contact Daniel George for a free consultation, the first step to achieving your financial goals and create your plan.
Daniel will be holding a seminar on Wed 9th of September at the club, so don't miss out and make sure you attend to take the first steps to securing your future.