Authenticity a driver for Daisy
Throughout Australia, in backyards all over the country, kids continue to watch and recreate their favourite footy moments, and it was no different for Dale Thomas.
Growing up on a hobby farm at Drouin South, Thomas would wake up, head to the TV and slot in the VCR tapes of his favourite player, Gary Ablett senior, before heading out to the paddock, footy in hand.
He’d try to recreate his favourite Ablett moments in front of the goal posts, launching himself in the air, while trying to kick miracle goals from the tightest of angles.
Thomas tried his hand in almost every sport, playing cricket at Ellinbank, footy at Hallora and Drouin, while also trying softball, korfball and basketball.
“In the end, I wasn’t really any good at those, footy really was the big one for me,” he laughed.
He began playing footy when he was just eight and was named captain of the Drouin under 14 side. However, it didn’t all go to plan for the budding star.
“I think we played Tooradin in my first game. We tossed the coin and clearly one of us wasn’t paying attention. I got the centre clearance and went completely the wrong way and kicked a behind. It ended up being their only score for the day. I guess it worked out, we needed them to score for the percentage,” he laughed.
It was clear Thomas was starting to excel and his passion for the game was well and truly blossoming. He’d carry a footy everywhere, at school, at the supermarket or down the street.
In 2005, Thomas was beginning to receive a lot of attention from recruiters, being one of the best players for Gippsland Power.
While some draftees choose to block out the noise, he remembers sitting in front of the computer during Year 12 at Drouin Secondary College, reading.
“Throughout that year I remember sitting there going through and reading mock drafts after every game, and saw myself getting higher and higher, but really I was just happy to go anywhere,” he said.
Thomas’ game was one that stood out. The long blonde hair, the flair and natural feel for the game was something his coaches wanted him to showcase.
“We had some really fantastic coaches and staff during that time, Paul Hudson, Pete Francis, they really encouraged us to play with freedom and embrace our talents. They just wanted us to play footy how we knew it,” he said.
Gippsland Power made the grand final in 2005 and Thomas would star. He collected 20 disposals and booted four goals, including a trademark dribble goal from the boundary that sent recruiters into a spin.
Thomas was one of three Gippsland Power players to be picked in the top five in the 2005 AFL draft, with Collingwood calling his name at pick two.
He joined one of the biggest clubs in the AFL, but said the pressure was alleviated early on.
“I didn’t really put much pressure on myself or feel the pressure to perform. The club was amazing at making sure I didn’t feel it. Fortunately, I was able to play early and show my worth and the big Magpie army seemed to be happy with the pick,” he said.
He made his debuted in round one, collecting 16 disposals and kicking two goals, while also showing the fans what was to come, taking a spectacular mark over his Adelaide opponent.
It took just two rounds for him to be nominated for the AFL Rising Star award, and by Anzac Day, he had been nominated for mark of the year and goal of the year, both in the same game.
During his first year he had become a cult figure, with his number 13 guernsey doubling the sales of his captain Nathan Buckley’s in the merchandise store.
Under coach Mick Malthouse, he was flourishing. Thomas was embracing every aspect of his talent and playing with a freedom that had fans on their feet.
“When you have confidence from above it really does help. I was lucky with Mick being my first coach, he gave me some freedom to play with, he knew that’s who I was. I was just a footy player and he let me be that.
“To have him somewhat take me under his wing and knowing I had his support and he had my best interests at heart, it made it easier to move down from the bush, he made it easier because he helped guide me and nurture me along the way,” Thomas added.
While he adapted to his new surroundings well, the fame and recognition wasn’t what he’d pictured as a youngster in his backyard.
It began to eat away at Thomas, being attached to the biggest club in Melbourne, while taking the game by storm.
“You pretend to be the hero in the backyard and then you live that fame and it’s actually not exactly what you thought it would be. I sort of resented it a little bit at times. I always had time for people, but it was something I had to get used to,” he said.
Five years into his career, Thomas played his first grand final, one he said he was grateful to experience at that stage of his journey.
“I had progressed each year and that’s what I was chasing. You want to play one game, then 50, then you want to win a flag. Each year I would keep setting the bar a little higher and was able to reach it. I was grateful that grand final came at that stage, because if it came in say my first year, you would probably think that was going to happen forever,” he said.
The game went down as one of the more remarkable grand finals in recent memory, with Collingwood and St Kilda locked at 68 a piece on the final siren.
For Thomas and his side they felt like they had dodged a bullet, especially when he looks back on it.
“We were in front for a fair portion of that game, we probably got as close to losing a grand final as you could without the heartbreak. We knew though, if we tinkered a few things we could chop them up and thankfully that went to plan when we won that second week,” he added.
After two stellar seasons with the Pies in 2011 and 2012, Thomas suffered an ankle injury, missing a large chunk of the season. When he returned, he began to feel things were changing at Collingwood. He was out of contract and was wondering about his future.
“I had a bad run with injuries and the dynamic had changed a bit once I was coming back. The contract I was going to sign was sort of taken away late in the season so I thought it was maybe a sign I should be looking elsewhere, then the Blues said they were keen to have me,” he said.
The move to Carlton for 2014 shocked many avid Collingwood supporters. He’d crossed to the rival, but for Thomas, it was a chance to reinvigorate his career.
Playing half forward, Thomas struggled with the different ball movement employed by Brendan Bolton, but it was when one of his teammates in the backline went down with an injury that he found a new beginning.
Bolton threw him behind the ball, completely changing the way Thomas had seen the game.
“I really loved the halfback role at Carlton, I wasn’t having the impact I could at half forward, but then Bolton threw me back there. I thought, you play on nobody and you get a heap of the footy, how good is this,” he laughed.
Thomas took the move on board as a new challenge and wanted to make it his own. He spoke with his coaches about how he could mould himself into the role, then sat down and began watching some film.
“I figured out who I wanted to play like and decided to watch a heap of games Grant Birchall played and model my game off that, it really did give me motivation, we had a young backline group, apart from Kade Simpson who went to school with Jesus,” he laughed.
“I was learning as I was going, as well as being able to teach some of the young guys. It was competitive, they were going for my spot, but I said bring it on and loved that,” he added.
Thomas finished his career last year, capturing the hearts of the fans who used to jeer him when he was wearing the famous black and white guernsey. He also became the first player to play 100 games for both Collingwood and Carlton.
He did comprehend the idea of playing on this season, but seeing how it’s unfolded, is content with his decision to hang up the boots.
Now, for the first time since he was 16, Thomas has been able to enjoy the normality of life. Celebrating friend’s birthdays with a beer, and being able to play more golf, a sport he said enables him to still tap into his competitive side.
Throughout his storied career, Thomas said he’s never forgotten where it all began and credits his family and friends that have stood by him through the ups and downs of his career.
“My family and friends where an amazing support. I don’t think my mum missed a game, whether that was AFL, at Gippsland or at Drouin. The Drouin guys like Micky Habgood, Bobby Mac, Damo Carmody and more, we all catch up still, it’s always great to see them,” he said.
“I was actually out at Buln last year and saw my old coach Steve Milner and we were reminiscing on a flag we won in under 12s and that was like 20 odd years ago. Being from a country town, everyone wants to see you succeed and are proud to see you go well,” he said.
Thomas was hoping to return to Drouin and play round one this year, however the coronavirus pandemic prevented that.
“I always said I would come back to Drouin. It was going to be a fantastic day and one that I hoped would have seen a decent crowd come in. I wasn’t promising much, I probably just wanted to sit in the goal square, take a few hangers and kick some goals, but to come back to where it started is something I felt I needed to do and I hope I can do soon,” he said.
Right from the get-go, Thomas wrote his own script and played with an authenticity, ferocity and a flair that will continue to be remembered by fans long after his retirement.
“I guess, I was just as authentic as I could be. I just wanted to be me. I love having a joke and a laugh and I’m always looking for the positive. I did it my way and that got me to 258 games, a flag and an All-Australian spot, I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said.