New development coach Paul Thomas says his brief stint on Adelaide’s rookie list helped shape his long and illustrious career.
Thomas was announced on Friday as the Club’s new defence development coach, signalling the end of a decorated SANFL playing career spanning 15 years.
The appointment marks a return to West Lakes for the 33-year-old who, after making his SANFL debut with Central District in 2001, was picked up by the Crows with the Club’s first pick in the 2002 AFL Rookie Draft.
Life as a Crows rookie was a busy one for Thomas off the field, but an indifferent one on it. He juggled his Club commitments with full-time university study, part-time work, and still tried to train with his beloved Bulldogs when he could.
He struggled to establish himself in Central’s League side and couldn’t crack a senior berth under Gary Ayres at West Lakes.
Thomas’ one-year Crows contract wasn’t renewed, but the 269-game SANFL veteran said his short stint at the Club taught him ‘life lessons’ that he carried with him for the rest of his career.
“I learned a lot as a young bloke during my time at the Crows,” Thomas said.
“I did a lot in that year which, looking back, probably hindered me. I didn’t make the progress that I wanted, even at SANFL level where I was in and out of the Central side.
“Being cut by the Crows was probably one of the better things that happened to me because it narrowed my focus. After that, I just concentrated solely on playing for Central and my university studies.
“That helped set up my 2003 season. I played state footy, then moved into the next season in good form and earned another opportunity at Essendon.”
Thomas won a best and fairest and a Magarey Medal in 2004 and was drafted by the Bombers with their final pick at the National Draft later that year. He played eight AFL games in 2005, before returning to Central District and serving as captain from 2007 onwards.
He led the Bulldogs to four straight flags, won another best and fairest and added two more Bob Quinn Medals to his trophy cabinet as best afield in the SANFL’s Anzac Day clash, cementing his status as one of the League’s great leaders.
Eager to begin a new chapter on the other side of the whiteboard, Thomas said he plans to draw on his leadership experience to develop Adelaide’s young talent.
“My leadership is in the fact that I like to win and I’m very competitive,” he said.
“But I think you need to have balance in everything you do. It comes down to training hard, good preparation and ensuring you get the best out of yourself to contribute to the team.
“They’re the attributes I’m looking to bring to Adelaide.”
Thomas’ teaching background also made him a worthy candidate for the development role. He helped establish a junior football academy at Trinity College before moving to Henley High School to manage its own football program.
Thomas, who has a Bachelor in Education, expects his skills to translate to the coaching arena.
“I think coaching falls in line with being a teacher. They’re one and the same in many ways,” he said.
“My roles at Trinity and Henley weren’t necessarily about just about how to kick and catch, but more about field position, team strategy, and the intricacies that make our game so great.
“I’m really looking forward to not only coming in to develop the players, but develop my own coaching craft along the way.”
Paul Thomas flies for Essendon against Adelaide's Hayden Skipworth back in 2005
