Andrew Thompson (footballer)

Infobox afl player


firstname = Andrew
lastname = Laurence Scott Thompson


| birthdate = birth date and age|df=yes|1972|10|21
birthplace =
originalteam = Old Melburnians (VAFA)
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 1, 29 March 1997
debutteam = St Kilda
debutopponent = Hawthorn
debutstadium = Waverley Park
playingteams = St Kilda (1997–2007)

221 games, 93 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = Round 22, 2007
careerhighlights =

* St. Kilda Football Club Best and Fairest - Trevor Barker Award 2000
* Minor premiership player 1997
* Pre-Season Cup Winning side 2004
* 1999 Channel 7 Player of the Year
* St. Kilda Football Club Life Member

Andrew Laurence Scott Thompson (born 21 October 1972) is a retired Australian rules footballer for the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League.

Thompson was recruited in the 1996 AFL Draft at pick no 62 and was picked up from the VAFA club Old Melburnians. At the time of his recruitment Thompson was 24 years of age, relatively old for an AFL footballer to begin his career. Thompson later said that being recruited at a late age allowed him to become more travelled and worldly than other footballers who begin their careers at 17 or 18 years of age.

Thompson quickly established himself in the St Kilda lineup in 1997, missing only two games (in Rounds 2 and 3) and playing every game from Round 4 onwards, including St Kilda's loss in the Grand Final.

Thompson was noted for his hard work ethic and consistency and this led to him winning the 1999 Channel 7 Player of the Year Award. His outstanding and consistent form also earned him a Trevor Barker Award for St Kilda's Best and Fairest player in 2000. Despite a dismal year for the Saints, when they won the wooden spoon, Thompson continued toiling and was a shining light in an otherwise disappointing side.

Thompson signed a one-year contract with the Saints for the 2006 season and was part of a veteran group with Justin Peckett and Stephen Powell who signed on for one last shot at a premiership. He made a solid contribution for the season, and new coach Ross Lyon signed 'Thommo' up for one last time at the beginning of the 2007 year.

In his last season, Thompson battled injury and fitness issues, but managed 10 matches for the Saints. He farwelled the football world on the 1st of September, playing his final game on the MCG against Richmond. Fellow Saint Fraser Gehrig also announced his retirement, and both players were chaired off the ground.

Thompson has worked part-time in the finance and business world since 2004. Three weeks after announcing his retirement, he joined the Burke-Westaway ticket that was challenging St Kilda's incumbent board [http://www.stkildafootyfirst.com/board.html] .

External links

*Stkplayer|ref=13500
*AflRleague|ref=A/Andrew_Thompson.html