Tigers offer run to Power midfielder
Courtney Walsh | October 10, 2008
NEW Tiger Adam Thomson was once a teen touted as a potential star.
Now after four virtually fruitless days of hawking footballers' flesh, the relatively anonymous midfielder stands as the only used-goods package in the AFL capable of satisfying both buyer and seller.
The only footballer to be traded, Richmond will no doubt be hoping the former Port Adelaide player, who was swapped for pick 42, proves a bargain by being the first to the ball in the middle of the ground next season.
Certainly that is the wish of coach Terry Wallace who, in the final year of a five-year contract, needs to find a mix that will assist him put the Tigers into the eight for the first time in his reign.
"Adam clearly fits the age criteria that we are developing and he will be a strong addition to our midfield," Wallace said.
"I believe Richmond supporters will enjoy watching Adam play as he is a tough player who wins his own ball."
That description of Thomson fits the profile that first attracted Port back in 2004. Then the power of the competition after toppling Brisbane to claim the club's first AFL flag, Port Adelaide officials were convinced the Murray Bridge kid would prove a hardened midfielder capable of winning the tough contest and feeding the ball out to speedier wingers.
But despite his ball-winning smarts, Thomson arrived at Port Adelaide's famed home at Alberton Oval with his share of pressure -- only classy midfielder Steve Salopek had ever been taken with a higher draft pick than the number 11 used by the AFL's new power to seize the Unity College student.
The early indications were good, with the 22-year-old playing two matches in his debut year and another 13 in 2006, an exposure greater than that received by all but the most talented youngsters.
But while Port Adelaide's star soared last season -- at least until its grand final mauling from Geelong -- Thomson managed only six games despite getting more of the ball than before.
After another season mired with SANFL club Sturt, Thomson decided to look elsewhere, despite Port's initial reluctance to release him, for fear he would always remain behind the brothers Cornes and Burgoyne, Salopek and promising youngster Travis Boak.
"Port's a good club with some great players and Choco (Mark Williams) is a great coach, but I just had to move on to get an opportunity at AFL level," Thomson said.
"I think it all comes back to the midfield. There are some pretty big names in there and it was pretty hard to get guys like the Burgoyne and Cornes brothers out of there."
Thomson, who once ditched boarding school in Adelaide because of home sickness, may not find the Richmond midfield any easier to crack given the talent of Nathan Foley, Trent Cotchin, Chris Newman and the returning Mark Coughlin, a similar type of player.
But there is little doubt Wallace will give Thomson the chance to live up to the former boom.
"They've got a good future and I think they won eight of their last 11 games," Thomson said. "Getting here's been a bit of a long process, but it's finally happened now and I can't wait."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24472467-5012432,00.html
