Thomas comeback pays off

JOSH Thomas has completed his remarkable comeback from an ASADA drugs ban after agreeing to a three-year deal with Collingwood.

The Pies goalkicking midfielder has enjoyed a superb season, kicking 27.9 including five bags of three or more goals.

It’s understood the terms of the deal have been agreed, only days after another three-goal performance against West Coast.

Collingwood rookie-listed Thomas and Lachie Keeffe tested positive for clenbuterol contained in illicit drugs taken at the St Kilda festival.

It meant that after nine senior games last year, Thomas was this season on a base wage of just over $100,000 plus match payments.

The three-year deal is reward for his form after many believed the Pies were being overly generous in retaining Keeffe and Thomas.

It is another show of faith in the club, with new list manager Ned Guy this year signing up Jordan De Goey, Jaidyn Stephenson, Ben Reid, Matthew Scharenberg and James Aish.

The 26-year-old accepted a two-year drug ban in August 2015, and was delisted and fined $50,000 by the club as required under AFL and ASADA guidelines.

Thomas worked as an Uber driver and at a gym, completed a business degree, and spent a single day in a factory making garlic bread.

But while it took most of the 2017 season to hit his stride, he has exploded this year as a tough midfielder who just keeps on kicking goals.