Matt Thomas wants to be part of Richmond’s finals futureHerald-Sun
Glenn McFarlane
July 24, 2014 5:54PMRICHMOND hard nut Matt Thomas says the Tigers’ recent form highlights why they can play finals next year — and he wants to be a part of it.
Thomas is yet to have serious discussions about a role for next year, but insists he still has plenty to offer the club.
“We haven’t spoken as yet, but I feel as if I still have a few years of good footy ahead of me,” Thomas said ahead of his return to the Richmond side against West Coast.
“If you look at my averages this season and stuff like that, I’m probably playing some of my best footy.
“I have got a role at the Tigers and as long as they will have me, I would love to stay around for a few more years.”
Thomas, 27, missed the past two games due to an Achilles injury, but is back for the clash at Patersons Stadium.
“It’s a massive game,” Thomas said. “(West Coast) are four points above us on the ladder and this is a great chance for us to draw level with them.
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve shown we can get a big scalp like Port Adelaide and hopefully there are a few more to come.
“We’ve got a fantastic list and we feel as if we have some good depth as well.
“I haven’t tasted finals and that’s something I really want to be a part of. I was at Port Adelaide in 2007 when they got pantsed by Geelong. I was injured out at the time.
“But I definitely believe finals is on the cards for Richmond next year.”
Thomas’s return in the AFL’s Multicultural Round is fitting, given his mother, Liesel, spent the first three years of her life in the Seychelles — a 155-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
Thomas’s father, Ken, was born and bred in Australia.
Thomas is one of 12 Richmond players who had one or both of their parents born outside of Australia.
“Mum was born in the Seychelles and was one of 11 kids,” he said. “She came out to Australia when she was only three and they settled into Malvern.
“They were a working class family. Her mum worked two jobs and sometimes night shift and her dad worked two jobs as well to make ends meet.
“I’ve got 50-odd cousins on my mum’s side living all around Australia at the moment.
“Mum used to speak a bit of Creole at home when we were growing up, but that’s sort of died away since my grandma passed away.”
Thomas has never visited the place of his mother’s birth, but has it on his “bucket list”, and wants his mum to also return one day.
For the moment, though, he is intent on securing his spot with Richmond, and hopefully playing his 100th game in Round 20, against Essendon at the MCG.
“I’m coming back knowing my Achilles is right, where I was playing on one leg and hanging out for the bye a few weeks ago,” he said.
THE MULTICULTURAL TIGERSMatt Thomas — mother born in Seychelles
Jake Batchelor — mother born in Wales
Reece Conca — father born in Italy
Nick Vlaustin — father born in Papua New Guinea
Bachar Houli — both parents born in Lebanon
Ivan Maric — both parents born in Croatia
Dustin Martin — father born in New Zealand
Shaun Hampson — father born in England
Aaron Edwards — born in Western Samoa; mother born in Western Samoa; father born in New Zealand
Matthew McDonough — mother born in England
Cadeyn Williams — mother born in Canada
Ben Darrou — father born in Morocco
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/matt-thomas-wants-to-be-part-of-richmonds-finals-future/story-fndv8t7m-1227000549141
