AFL confirms former Geelong coach Mark Thompson will current the Jock McHale Medal for successful coach at this 12 months’s grand remaining
The appointment of troubled former nice Mark Thompson to current the Jock McHale Medal to this 12 months’s premiership coach has been described by AFL boss Gillon McLachlan as “vital”.
Key factors:
- Mark Thompson left Australian guidelines soccer after he was convicted for drug possession in 2019
- The previous Essendon captain and Geelong coach has been confirmed because the presenter of the Jock McHale Medal to the successful coach at this 12 months’s grand remaining
- Outgoing AFL chief govt Gillon McLachlan says he hopes Thompson’s return will likely be vital for him and for the sport
Thompson, a three-time premiership participant with Essendon and twin flag-winning coach of Geelong, was convicted of drug possession in 2019.
He was fined $3,000 and ordered to endure rehabilitation, whereas a drug trafficking cost towards him was dismissed.
Individually, Thompson was fined $30,000 for his half within the Bombers’ notorious 2012 dietary supplements program.
The 59-year-old, who left the AFL after teaching Essendon by means of the 2014 season, has labored to rebuild his life lately away from soccer.
He’ll current the McHale Medal to the premiership coach on stage after the grand remaining on the MCG on September 30.
“In our recreation, I believe folks make errors and I believe we now have a capability to truly welcome folks again and proceed to rejoice their place and their function within the recreation,” outgoing AFL chief govt McLachlan mentioned.
“That’s definitely the place Mark is. He was a terrific participant and a major coach, and I am actually happy that he’ll be presenting the [medal] to the premiership coach.
“I hope it is vital for Mark and I believe it is vital for the sport.”
Thompson was introduced as this 12 months’s McHale Medal presenter on the official AFL finals launch on Monday.
“Mark has a protracted listing of accolades in his profession as a participant after which as a coach … we’re actually thrilled that Mark has accepted our supply,” McLachlan mentioned.
Former Carlton and West Coast champion Chris Judd will current the Norm Smith Medal on grand remaining day, whereas former Sydney Swans captain Josh Kennedy is that this 12 months’s premiership cup ambassador.
The AFL additionally confirmed American rock band KISS will headline the grand remaining pre-game leisure present.
McLachlan mentioned the evenness of this 12 months’s competitors all through the home-and-away season meant groups from the underside half of the highest eight may dream of successful the premiership.
It has solely occurred as soon as below the present finals system, which was launched in 2000, when the Western Bulldogs claimed their drought-breaking flag from seventh in 2016.
“Whether or not that is potential, I believe, is the story of the finals,” McLachlan mentioned.
“We have got a terrific remaining eight that got here all the way down to the wire and I am very assured that the footy will ship on the home-and-away promise.
“The perfect workforce typically wins and the nice gamers come to the fore … and I reckon we have eight groups whose supporters are going to really feel assured they will go deep into September.”
AAP
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