Toast Bomber Thompson Appreciation Thread

[witsend]

Whether he goes or stays, imo Bomber will always be a legendary figure at our great club.
When he started with us he said he would build a list capable of playing finals footy. He would start with a defense, then construct a midfield, followed by a forward line.
He did exactly that and has never wavered.
Perhaps he was overly loyal this season with the benefit of hindsight, but we finished 2nd on the ladder and played some scintillating footy despite all-comers, in particular Collingwood and St Kilda, developing lists and game-plans with the express notion of beating Geelong and it's exciting, positive brand of football.
Whatever his decision, I for one will take him at his word, and be forever grateful for giving me and my family the best 4 years of footy I've ever seen by a Geelong team, and God knows I've seen some pretty good footy from the Cats in the past.
Good luck to ya, Bomber!
I hope you stay and help in the transition, but if you don't...thankyou!!

 

[AM]

^ This^

 

[kanyewest]

Very good call, especially because Bomber's name has been smashed on these forums most of the day.

Clearly pivotal in the GFC's success over the last few years, and developed a brand of football that stood against the flooding-style that has been all too common. Should be seen as a legend of the club - whatever happens. He has stuck up for the players when times have not been so great, and given the fans confidence to feel that everyone at the Cats are on the same page. Removed an awful lot of anxiety that often goes along with football clubs, and for that and the rest, I thank him.

 

[vealesy]

THANK YOU!!!

THANKS AGAIN!!



Oh and to show you we can forgive...

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Thanks Bomber for everything that you have done, breaking the premiership drought and bringing fantastic attractive footy are a legacy that we'll all be telling our grandkids about. If you choose to go, then all the best, and I hope whatever you choose to do next makes you happy.

 

[Hybrid7]

Yeah great thread!! We have been a bit harsh on the great man today.

Thanks for all you have done in the club and given us three grand final apperances, and two premierships in a playing fashion that made other clubs and supporters very envious - not to mention stood out among the boring stoppage football that threatened to take over our great game.

If you choose to leave the club and retire for whatever reasons, your legacy will live on in the playing styles that young clubs like Melbourne have modelled around what you created.

Whatever your pursuits we all wish you the best of luck!!

 

[Barabbas]

Agreed! A lot of posters could do well to wait for verified sources before reacting. Brought us 2 flags I wasn't sure I would ever see.

 

[oozeboss]

I think that this thread is long overdue. Bomber has overseen a revolution in playing styles, and his dedication to the sort of "risk & reward"/ "tsunami football" (and yes, may Ablett forgive me, I'm quoting Robert Walls) that thankfully destroyed the mind numbing dominance of the flooding style of footy did the whole game a huge favour.

He is steadfast & loyal to all colleagues, and quick to praise & reward good honest effort as well as individual brilliance. We all remember him standing up for Otto when the press pack was after him, and his long held faith in Travis Varcoe is bearing a rich reward now. He is a players' coach, and his legacy to our club will last far longer than his career, no matter when he does inevitably move on.

As you might guess from my sig, I count myself a true fan of Bomber's. His vision, his strength & his courage have been inspirational. I can only ever wish him well.

Thanks Mark.

 

[SJ]

Walls in July 2007:

Down at Geelong, changes have been made, too. The Cats kept the coach but they changed everything else. New assistants, new football manager, new medical and fitness staff but, above all, a new game plan. Gone is the chip-chip crap football that the Cats fiddled with last year. They now play "tsunami" football. They build up in the back line and then sweep forward quickly with devastating effect. They are the highest-scoring team in the competition and one of the best to watch. Settling Cam Mooney at centre half-forward has been just as effective as insisting that Cameron Ling do what he does best, which is torment the hell out of the opposition's best midfielders with his tight tagging tactics. Last year, Lingy had aspirations of being a Rolls-Royce, when most knew being a Ford Falcon ute was his go.

Interesting to see that the best teams finally figured out that to stop 'tsunami football', you need to stop Geelong 'building up in the backline'. Only took them four years.

 

[Maydok]

What gets me the most is people saying anyone could have coached that group of players to two premierships.

What a load of crap.

Not only did he lead the building of that list, it was Bomber who instigated the game plan that went against EVERYTHING everyone else was doing at the time.

That takes vision and conviction.

As well, he set a standard and led a culture at Geelong we had never had and hopefully will stay for some time to come.

A legend of the blue and white hoops forever.

One day, they should name a stand after the man. He literally has given his absolute all for our club.

 

[Poetic Justice]

I just like in all seriousness that Mark Thompson is not a w***er.

I've never disliked his press conferences. I've always liked that he is pretty straight forward, didn't really play mind games and just told us what he thought.

He was never cocky and wasn't hard work.

Much respect, he will go down in the top echelon of coaches in AFL history no doubt about it.

 

[isen river]

What gets me the most is people saying anyone could have coached that group of players to two premierships.

I agree. People who mainly know nothing say this.
Love you Bomber, all the best for the future.

 

[SriLankanCat]

Thanks Bomber...you have been a fantstic servant to the club.

11 years, 7 finals series, 5 prelims, 3 grand finals and 2 flags is amazing. ALl this was done from the bottom up. the team was built from scratch.

Whether he comes back, goes or even joins the bombers i have the utmost respect and appreciation for him ALl the best for the future!

 

[thehoff]

Coached Geelong to 20% of its Premierships. Love the man with all my heart.

 

[rizzo]

it was Bomber who instigated the game plan that went against EVERYTHING everyone else was doing at the time.

I think you will find it is the man at the GC who designed that game plan.

 

[AM]

I think you will find it is the man at the GC who designed that game plan.

Agreed. And I understand the GC are concerned at todays developments and the possibility of losing him.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Well done Bomber - can't say I wish you TOO MUCH luck if you're off to a rival footy club D!) but shit, you helped provide the absolute HIGHLIGHTS of my footy-following life. Thanks for the memories pal, we'll always have '07 and '09!!!

 

[patience]

Bomber gave us two premierships when some of us began to wonder if we would see one in our life time. I don't think I will ever forget how stunned yet ecstatic we were in 2007. Our team had won the Grand Final. We have been so lucky to have Bomber. He built a team to be proud of. Thank you Mark, for everything you have done for our club.

 

[nohairandfair]

Love what Bomber has brought to Geelong but lets hope he doesn't depart ignominiously.

If his story to Cook/Balme/Costa of "burnout" is true then that is fine but if it's a smokescreen for a secret deal with Essendon.... well that would be a real shame.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Love what Bomber has brought to Geelong but lets hope he doesn't depart ignominiously.

If his story to Cook/Balme/Costa of "burnout" is true then that is fine but if it's a smokescreen for a secret deal with Essendon.... well that would be a real shame.

I believe its true. It sits with his character and the character of the other senior Geelong officials who are involved. I beleive he is just a bit worn out.

The story that he slipped out over to the dons without letting Costa know was so out of character. I didn't believe it. But after a while I was thinking "could it be true!?" They are shameless liars, those buggers.

 

[thegerman]

Thanks Bomber. You have served the club admirably. I hope you enjoy your time off and whether you stay or go, thanks for making all of us so happy by bringing a quality group together for one mission - to finally bring the cup to Geelong.

 

[Omne666]

Great work Bomber. Stay or go, you'll be remembered as the man who changed Geelong, the AFL, and 'footy as we know it! Thanks for it all.

 

[Rellik666]

Yeah, Thanks Bomba for everything....what a ride it has been.....and I too believe everything he has said (then again I believed James Hird too), he has looked tired all year and has tried to get his team up. His group has been attacked and challenged this year in more than just games on the field. This year would have taken its toll on MM, RL or any of the top AFL coaches.

THANKYOU for a wonderful ride and wonderful memories. I believe that he won't go to Essendon, he has always said that next year would be his last in the AFL and with everything that has happened it has just come 12 months early.

Good Luck Bomba, see you around.

 

[YIIIABLETTT]

A great coach who did an unreal job turning our list into what it is today. At the end of 06 he seemed a certainty to be sacked. Boy are we all glad that was not the case.

In a league that was being dominated by the flood and negative football, you changed all that by devising a risk based attacking gameplan. One not seen before and it made us a joy to behold. As well as the great success we had, we became a fantastic team to watch. Under your tenure we have certainly played beautiful football. It has been a great privlige to support this team and the style we have played with. We have played football the way it should be played and Thompson deserves much credit for this.

Bomber Thompson, I salute you

 

[Reincarnation]

it sounds like his mental health is a real concern. i hope that whatever the outcome is that he is okay because the way his state was portrayed it didn't seem he was too flash.

who cares about the football club, just hope that bomber is going okay currently.