THOMPSON’S NINE LIVES
DEFENDER DELIGHTED TO FINALLY CLOCK UP DECENT RUN:
RORY Thompson knew he was well overdue for some luck to go his way.
The Gold Coast Suns defender looked destined to spend his AFL career going from one injury to another but his most consistent run in five years is translating in to some of the best football he has ever played.
“It’s been really good,” Thompson said of a season that has included nine straight games.
“I’m always waiting for something to pop up around the corner.”
Nine games straight might not seem much to the average footballer, but for Thompson it’s everything.
The Gold Coast product and foundation Sun hasn’t been able to achieve the feat since 2013, when he went on to play 21 games.
Thompson, who has battled ankle problems and soft tissue injuries in recent seasons, credited his run of health and the form that has come with it on a preseason where he decreased his workload.
“I had a bit more of a managed preseason and focused on being consistent while not doing as much work as I have in the past,” Thompson said.
“It was probably not the highest volume of work or anything but the amount of sessions I completed has been the most and that’s held me in good stead through the season.
“Even throughout the season, I’m not having to be too modified during the week.
“It’s definitely true when people say a good preseason sets you up for a good season.”
Thompson has regularly taken on the opposition’s talls this year, enabling backline teammate Steven May to play on big or small forwards, including Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray in China in Round 9.
“The funny thing with defenders is if they don’t speak about you then you’re probably doing a good job,” May said.
“We have been waiting for Rory to play like this for a while.
“Been on and off the track with injury but he had a real good preseason and each week he is getting better and more comfortable in his body.
“Each week we come up against a big key forward and we have no doubt Rory will put him away or at least have a big influence on his game.
“That does allow me to play a little more flexible and on different types. If you have a look around the competition, a lot of forward lines are changing.
“It’s not just two or three big key forwards now. Some play small, some play really big.
“It makes my job interesting because I don’t know who I’m going to get where as usually I could look at the fixtures and see what opponents I’m going to get for the next month.
“Rory is playing super footy and he has grown as a leader as well.”
IT’S DEFINITELY TRUE WHEN PEOPLE SAY A GOOD PRESEASON SETS YOU UP FOR A GOOD SEASON RORY THOMPSON