Bomber Thompson

[ShockOfHair]

Pretty shabby by Bomber. Too tired to coach at Geelong, but fresh for the Dons.

Bombers set to sign Thompson | AFL | Fox Sports

[Damien]

The role is a lot less stressful than a head coaching role, so I have no issues with that, but he could have made life a lot easier for himself.

I imagine if he went to Brian Cook and Frank Costa and said that he was over coaching, liked the idea of a less stressful role mentoring Hirdy and wanted to go. I am sure they would have allowed him to go without too much drama.

[dimelb]

The role is a lot less stressful than a head coaching role, so I have no issues with that, but he could have made life a lot easier for himself.

I imagine if he went to Brian Cook and Frank Costa and said that he was over coaching, liked the idea of a less stressful role mentoring Hirdy and wanted to go. I am sure they would have allowed him to go without too much drama.

Agree. Part-time job, much less demanding, much lower responsibility.
But he should have worked it out with Geelong first. Now looks a bit sneaky, shabby.

[ShockOfHair]

Agree the assistant's job isn't so demanding, but he misled the club, presumably because he didn't think he'd get what he wanted by being upfront about it. Disappointing way to end a great era.

The other thing was he'd really made the point about loyalty to Gaz Jr, and possibly even helped drive the guy away from the club. Now we know that another club was his priority in 2012 - it didn't matter to him where Ablett went.

Ess v Geelong should be a good game.

[satchmopugdog]

I think it is a silly move by Thompson if he is really suffering from burnout. He will find that even the diminished responsibility will call up the demons that have led to the burnout. I think I am being naive believing him though so I shouldn't really worry about his mental health as he doesn't seem to be.

[Kirkari]

Oh please. We're feeling sorry for Geelong now?

But James Hird had better either perform or watch his back.

[laughingnome]

James Hird had better either perform or watch his back.

Ja. This whole 'Unity' thing will be for nothing if he doesn't put the points on the board.

[ShockOfHair]

I'm hoping Hird falls on his face. I've been enjoying the lost decades of Essendon and Carlton. Collingwood spoiled it at the end, but otherwise it was a magnificently poor decade for the big clubs. Long may it continue.

[Wardy]

Does it really matter? Bomber is doing what he wants with his life - yes folks its his life. I'm pretty damned sure that we have all at some point or another sought alternative employment and to do that you have to have the odd interview and gosh phone calls are made as well. It is also kept secret until the final deal is done - no biggy there and its standard practice. He has not commited any crime - so why is this so scandalous? Its a business decision and who knows, he may have been feeling stale with the postion at Geelong - if you dont like your job a person generally changes to a new one. This is getting as ridiculous as people saying that Glenn McGrath shouldnt move on with his life with a new woman - its no ones business but theirs. Now had he have gone to Collingwood - then thats a different thing entirely!!!

[stellation]

Does it really matter? Bomber is doing what he wants with his life - yes folks its his life. I'm pretty damned sure that we have all at some point or another sought alternative employment and to do that you have to have the odd interview and gosh phone calls are made as well. It is also kept secret until the final deal is done - no biggy there and its standard practice. He has not commited any crime - so why is this so scandalous? Its a business decision and who knows, he may have been feeling stale with the postion at Geelong - if you dont like your job a person generally changes to a new one. This is getting as ridiculous as people saying that Glenn McGrath shouldnt move on with his life with a new woman - its no ones business but theirs. Now had he have gone to Collingwood - then thats a different thing entirely!!!

I agree with the logic that most folks have done, or at least contemplated, something similar in their own working life. Even too tired for Geelong/fresh enough for Bombers isn't too far off a number of folks I know that have ditched more senior roles to move back to less pressured jobs in other companies.

The only thing I think is particuarly shabby about the whole thing is he did appear to me to get into GAJ a bit through the season about considering a change.

[Wardy]

I agree with the logic that most folks have done, or at least contemplated, something similar in their own working life. Even too tired for Geelong/fresh enough for Bombers isn't too far off a number of folks I know that have ditched more senior roles to move back to less pressured jobs in other companies.

The only thing I think is particuarly shabby about the whole thing is he did appear to me to get into GAJ a bit through the season about considering a change.

maybe he had to be seen to do the right thing and try and keep him there the fans would have demanded that at the very least - who knows - anyway they have both split from the Cats now - so life goes on I guess.

[stellation]

maybe he had to be seen to do the right thing and try and keep him there the fans would have demanded that at the very least - who knows - anyway they have both split from the Cats now - so life goes on I guess.

I think that's being a tad kind, lexy. You're such a nice lady!

[Lucky Knickers]

The only thing I think is particuarly shabby about the whole thing is he did appear to me to get into GAJ a bit through the season about considering a change.

]
I've always had a bit of crush on bumber (typo but have to leave it...). He certainly does look a bit like a hypocritical prat based on media reports but you tend to see people get stitched up because they actually have behaved like a bit of a plonker.
I have a bigger crush on Hirdy and his gorgeous hair so I'm looking forward to both of them, heads together over the whiteboard, making devilishly outrageous match ups that lead to NOTHING!

[Wardy]

]
I've always had a bit of crush on bumber (typo but have to leave it...). He certainly does look a bit like a hypocritical prat based on media reports but you tend to see people get stitched up because they actually have behaved like a bit of a plonker.
I have a bigger crush on Hirdy and his gorgeous hair so I'm looking forward to both of them, heads together over the whiteboard, making devilishly outrageous match ups that lead to NOTHING!

I have always like bomber - maybe he just has that face that appeals too me - and he doesnt give too much away when interviewed (except when he's really pissed off) he's been at Geelong for a long time -and he has delivered them a flag - twice - we dont know what other expectations were placed on him to deliver more and maybe he got to the point of "you know what? I dont want the pressure and I want a change" - I mean at least he isnt one of those who promised so much and delivered zilch like Terry Wallace!

[Damien]

I have always like bomber - maybe he just has that face that appeals too me - and he doesnt give too much away when interviewed (except when he's really pissed off) he's been at Geelong for a long time -and he has delivered them a flag - twice - we dont know what other expectations were placed on him to deliver more and maybe he got to the point of "you know what? I dont want the pressure and I want a change" - I mean at least he isnt one of those who promised so much and delivered zilch like Terry Wallace!

The problem most people have is that he seems to have gone about it in a very strange and sneaky way, if he went to Geelong and said "I know I have a year left but I've had enough, want a p/t role and that may be happening at Essendon, thanks for the memories", I reckon Geelong would have let him go anyway.

Now all we are going to hear about is torn relationships, backroom deals, Essendon approaching a contracted coach, Hird lying, Thompson lying, Thompson being a hypocrite etc, when it could have just been a lot easier and should have been a lot easier for an 11 year double premiership coach that could have kept the job as long as he wanted.

Real shame how this has all gone.