Carlton veteran Dale Thomas will call time on a decorated AFL career at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old’s decision to retire after 14 seasons and more than 250 games with the Blues and Collingwood comes after he was told he would not be contracted in 2020.
Thomas will play his final home game for Carlton on Saturday when the Blues take on St Kilda at the MCG.
Thomas said he was content with his decision to retire while still playing at the elite level.
“While this is something I didn’t want to hear, I was realistic that it was a chance to have happened,” he said in a Carlton statement.
“I also understand the direction the club is going, and I certainly understand that decisions have to be made.
“I have experienced so much in my career since walking in as a blond-haired kid from Drouin back in 2005.
“The opportunity to live out my boyhood dream for the last 14 years has been incredible.
“I am proud of everything I’ve been able to achieve.
“While the end has come quickly, I have no regrets whatsoever and am looking forward to these last two weeks, especially playing at the ‘G for the last time in front of our fans.”
Kane
Roar Rookie
You're obviously on it for the wrong reason then.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Isn’t that the purpose of The Roar? We all wind each other up. If Carlton ever get relevant again Kane you can join in?
Kane
Roar Rookie
Anyone would think you do care as you have something to say about every other club.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I couldn’t care less what other clubs do Kane, I love the way our club is run and love our coach and list. No apologies for that.
Kane
Roar Rookie
It’s a leadership issue when players only get a 5k fine from the leadership group for lying to their face about not playing basketball when injured. It’s a bit of a culture issue too when blokes continually lie about issues. But that’s ok Pete, keep being the first to have a crack at other clubs issues and keep sweeping your own clubs under the carpet. Just shows your arrogance and ignorance.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
I think he should go if offered a role with the ‘Suns’ I think he has 2 years in his legs.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
As much as I would like Papley he is not worth 2 first rounders. A first round for Martin and a later pick back from GC would be better.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
A new coach shouldn’t turn a club around in season Macca. Bolton clearly was over complicating things and not much good
Macca
Roar Rookie
I saw a rumour today we are offering well north of $1.1m and he is more likely that not to come (60/40) also saw that the Swans want 2 first rounders for Papley which we are rightly passing on but Jack Martin and Darby Cameron (Sydney back up ruck) are as good as done
Macca
Roar Rookie
Maxine, once again you show how little you know. Have a look at Ed Curnow and Patrick Cripps comments immediately after the Brisbane game before you go spouting off about Bolton losing the leadership group. You may also want to see all the other players who have referenced all the work Bolton put in that they are now able to build off. Bolton did a power of working building a strong culture and leadership, he was too slow to move into a more aggressive style but Teague will have a lot to thank him for.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Macca, interesting article on the AFL website re Carlton & Coniglio. Given the Blues have underspent on the salary cap the past couple of years means they could heavily front end any contract Coniglio might accept by offering up to $2 million next year. They have the potential of splashing up to 105% of the cap next year.
asd
Guest
we sacked you retire or you will be thrown out
Peter Warrington
Guest
That last comment is shameful
Maxine
Guest
Hi Macca,I'm not really sure about these dividends that were going to payed to Bolton,or that Bolton was this wonderful coach/leader you keep painting him as,history is going to tell a far different story than one you keep constantly painting. Bolton did nothing for the leadership and culture at Carlton. In fact it seems rather apparent that he completely lost his leadership group,which led to his rightful dismissal. He also lost his assistants,through his apparent stubbornness,and inability to be able to listen. Bolton was not a leader,he is an assistant put in a leadership role. The improvement at Carlton has been enormous since he was shown the door,he can't be given credit for that. Bolton was no Hardwick,he was no Buckley,this now is obvious to anyone with 2 eyes.
Macca
Roar Rookie
“I have already noticed though a tendency here for people to manipulate statistics and history to either support their own club or sink the slippers into those they don’t.” You could always stop. You arew also aware that the BigFooty threads are open to all supporters so it may not have been “in fighting”. And do you care to share the “rumours” or are you simply going to smear Thomas’ reputation with innuendo and leave it at that?
Macca
Roar Rookie
I've been lucky, I've unintentionally picked Walkers last game and Simmo's 300th.
Macca
Roar Rookie
"Im sure there are plenty more" Name as many as you can since Malthouse was sacked. Bolton worked hard on improving the blues leadership and culture - that is going to pay dividends long term. Stephenson and Sier is a leadership issue, these things don't happen if you have good leadership and your club doesn't talk up how great a person Stephenson and and how courageous he was to "self report" when he had actually been busted doing a very silly thing.
Iambillbob
Roar Rookie
I’ll tell ya one thing dale thomas was a deadset monster of a player for Collingwood...was a great player
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
hope so...he used to have the surfie hair after all
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
and his budgie smugglers....