THOMPSON, Mark

Mark "Bomber" Thompson joined Essendon from Airport West through the local zoning system. A talented junior, he won the F. H. Woods Medal as the EDFL's Best and Fairest and captained a Combined Under 16 side.

His nickname was originally "Bomba", given to him when he was only nine, from Tarzan's son. Mark preferred shorts and thongs, even in the middle of winter, so the name of the jungle boy seemed appropriate. It later morphed into "Bomber".

His first game was against Sydney at the SCG in 1983 and he was a member of the Reserves premiership side in 1983. He secured his spot in the senior team in 1984 where he remained for the rest of his career.

Thompson was a courageous and talented defender, renowned for his close-checking ability. He was able to shut down an opponent while providing attack from defence. He was a fine kick and an excellent mark, especially for his height.

He was on the interchange bench in the winning 1984 Grand Final team, but was a vital part of the 1985 and 1993 premiership teams. He also played in the Foster's Cup premiership teams of 1984, 1990 and 1993.

Thompson won Essendon's Most Determined Player in 1984 and 1986, the Most Improved Player award and the Best Clubman award in 1985. He also represented Victoria in State of Origin football in 1986. He won his first Best and Fairest award in 1987. He also won the 1987 W. R. Crichton Memorial Trophy.

He suffered a bad knee injury in 1988, but returned in mid-1989 as strong and reliable as ever. He won his second Best and Fairest award in 1990 and was a member of the AFL Team of the Year in 1990. He captained the side from 1992 until 1995, when he passed the captaincy to Gary O'Donnell. They had previously tied for third in the 1992 Crichton Medal.

Thompson was a fine asset to the Essendon Football Club where he played many great games. His determination and desire to win took him a long way in football and made him one of the best backmen to play at Essendon.

After his retirement in 1996, he joined the Essendon coaching staff and was coach of the Reserves team and the assistant coach for the seniors.

In 1999, Thompson joined the North Melbourne Football Club coaching team as Reserves coach in what became a premiership year for the Kangaroos.

He began his AFL senior coaching career in 2000, when he was appointed coach of the Geelong Football Club. He was a key part of the club's resurgence and he led them to the 2007 AFL premiership, their first since 1963. He won a second flag in 2009. He was named All-Australian coach in 2007 and 2009.

He left Geelong at the end of the 2010 season and was welcomed back to Windy Hill as a senior assistant to new coach, James Hird. He took over as acting coach in 2014 when Hird was suspended because of the Supplements saga.

Mark Thompson was named at number 20 in the Champions of Essendon (2002) and on the intrchange bench in the Team of the Century. He was awarded AFL Life membership in 2003.