IDIOT BOX BLUNDER
The moment Bomber Thompson joked about going into the ‘ice business’
BIZARRE footage has emerged of Mark “Bomber” Thompson joking about buying into an “ice business” in a recorded interview in 2009. The vision from the On The
Couch program resurfaced this week after the 54-year-old was arrested and charged with trafficking ice and ecstasy.
The footage shows Thompson say: “I might just retire and just go and do something else like sell frozen water or something.”
As awkward laughter breaks out among the other panellists — and while host Gerard Healy tries to change the subject — journalist Mike Sheahan questions Thompson on what he means.
Thompson then responds: “Ice. I just bought into an ice business.”
BIZARRE footage has emerged of Mark “Bomber” Thompson joking about buying into an “ice business” in a recorded interview in 2009.
The strange comments came around the same time people involved with the Geelong AFL side started noticing erratic behaviour from the legendary coach.
The vision from the On The Couch program resurfaced this week after the 54-year-old was sensationally arrested and charged with trafficking ice and ecstasy.
Thompson was a guest on the program alongside James Hird, who would later become embroiled in the Essendon supplements scandal while the pair were on the coaching staff at the Bombers.
The footage shows Thompson say: “I might just retire and just go and do something else like sell frozen water or something.”
As awkward laughter breaks out among the other panellists — and while host Gerard Healy tries to change the subject — journalist Mike Sheahan questions Thompson on what he means.
Thompson then responds: “Ice. I just bought into an ice business.”
It comes as further claims are made that Geelong staff were concerned d about bout Thompson’s behaviour before he departed the club in 2010.
Speaking on SEN radio yesterday, former Essendon teammate Tim Watson said suggestions Thompson’s life started unravelling after leaving Geelong were incorrect.
“I know Geelong were concerned about his behaviour when he was there. I know (former Geelong president) Frank Costa has talked about that,” Watson said.
“People say all these problems started when he went to Essendon, that’s not true. The Geelong people will tell you they were concerned about components of his behaviour.
“They never really went into detail, it was just his lifestyle choices that he was making around that time.”
In March, Costa spoke publicly about worrying signs he noticed with Thompson in his final year at the club.
According to the article, published by AFL Media, Costa said Thompson started displaying unusual habits, which he attributed to Thompson’s marriage breakdown, a stressful land investment and a secret approach from Essendon.
“I saw it (erratic behaviour) towards the finish at Geelong, in 2010, and more since,” Costa said.
“I think that’s happened because his mind has been badly scrambled.
“I think those three things that I mentioned that happened to him in 2010 were too much for him, and I think the disappointment of the Essendon saga on top of that, hasn’t helped him.”
Thompson won two premierships at Geelong in a coaching career spanning 10 years and 260 games.
He also enjoyed a highly successful playing career with Essendon, winning three premierships and captaining the side during the 1990s.
However, his highly publicised fall from grace continued on Tuesday with news of his arrest.
The drugs charges against him stem from a search of his Port Melbourne property in January — a house he was sharing with alleged bikie associate Thomas Windsor.
It has been alleged police found various drugs and paraphernalia scattered around the home, including ice pipes, ecstasy and digital scales inside Thompson’s locked bedroom.
Thompson spoke briefly outside his home yesterday afternoon, responding to a journalist’s question on whether he had anything to say to his supporters.
“Just tell them that I’m sorry they’ve had to put up with this and put up with me, but hopefully they’ll get through it,” Thompson said.
Hours later, in the face of more questions from the media, Thompson said he was feeling “pretty down”. “It’s been a pretty hard time,” he said.
Thompson will return to court later this month.