Thompson, 29, played a leading role in the resurgent Adelaide team that jumped from 14th on the AFL ladder last year to third at the end of the 2012 season. The Crows also secured their first finals win in three years, beating Fremantle in a Semi-Final at AAMI Stadium, and fell a goal short of upsetting the more fancied Hawks in the Preliminary Final.
Adelaide boasted the fifth-youngest list in the competition this season, which indicates there’s still plenty of room for improvement. But Thompson said his side would have to work hard to replicate its efforts of 2012 and - hopefully - achieve the ultimate next year.
“I’ve been in the system 12 years now and am yet to play in a Grand Final,” Thompson said.
“We’ve got two guys in Michael Doughty, who has just hung up the boots, and Graham Johncock who have played in four preliminary finals and are yet to play off on that last Saturday in September.
“It’s so hard to get there and we won’t be taking anything for granted. It’s a marathon, and it’s going to be a long journey back to another preliminary final to try to get us to a Grand Final but that’s what we have to strive for.”
Thompson said it was also important Adelaide was inspired by and not satisfied with its brave, but “bitterly disappointing” five- point loss to Hawthorn.
“To go from seven wins and 14th on the ladder to 17 wins and finishing second on the ladder (at the end of the minor round) and play off in a prelim final was an unbelievable effort," he said.
"It’s something the entire playing list should be proud of, but not satisfied with. Going forward, we’ve really got to strive towards wanting to play in a Grand Final and win a premiership because that’s why we all play football.
“Yes, this year was a big improvement on where we were last year but there’s another whole pre-season and a season of footy to come now.”
The Crows will have to find replacements for reliable defender Michael Doughty, and also forward Kurt Tippett, who has requested a trade to Sydney.
Thompson said he was confident Adelaide could still challenge for the premiership despite the loss of key pillar Tippett.
“I think it’s the best list the Club has ever had together with the 45 or 46 players we’ve got - there’s great depth and it’s going to be exciting going forward,” he said.
“Kurt’s made up his mind that he doesn’t want to be a part of it. I wish him all the best, but with or without him we’ve got a list capable of taking us that next step. We want guys here, who want to be a part of it.
“With Brenton Sanderson, we’ve started to create a culture and an environment with players who have belief and confidence in what they’re capable of doing.
“All the coaching staff we’ve got are unbelievable and going forward, I think the window is well and truly open for - hopefully - a number of years of success.
“We’ve had a number of guys, who have improved in leaps and bounds this year ... it takes a weight of numbers to succeed and I think we showed that for periods this year. We just felt short at the last hurdle.”
