Rory Thompson

Rory Thompson
Personal information
Full name	Rory Thompson
Date of birth	12 March 1991
Place of birth	Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Original team(s)	Southport (QAFL)
Draft	Zone Selection, 2009, Gold Coast
Height/Weight	200 cm / 91 kg
Position(s)	Defender
Club information
Current club	Gold Coast
Number	16
Playing career^1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2011–	Gold Coast	66 (7)
^1 Playing statistics correct to the end of Round 1, 2016 season.
Career highlights
22under22 team: 2013

Rory Thompson (born 12 March 1991) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was one of the club's Zone Selections, and played in the Gold Coast's first season, in 2011. His biggest career highlight included keeping Sydney Swans full-forward Kurt Tippett goal-less in the Suns' 35-point loss in Round 12 of the 2014 season.^[1]

Junior football

Thompson is the son of Southport Sharks hall-of-famer and dual premiership player Brett Thompson.^[2] He originally began playing rugby league for the Parkwood Sharks before switching to his father's old club to begin junior football. Thompson attended Helensvale State High School during his junior football and upon graduation was signed by the Gold Coast Football Club to compete in the TAC Cup in 2009. Following Thompson's announcement of signing with the Gold Coast, it was revealed the Brisbane Lions had a strong interest in the local junior and intended to draft him at the 2008 AFL Draft had he elected.^[3]

AFL career

Thompson was one of only four Gold Coasters drafted into the inaugural Gold Coast Suns squad, the others being Marc Lock, Jack Stanlake and Joel Wilkinson.

Thompson made his AFL debut in Round 16 of the 2011 AFL season as the Suns suffered an embarrassing 70-point loss to the Sydney Swans at home.^[4][5]

After a breakout 2013 season, Thompson was selected at full-back in the AFL Players' inaugural 22under22 team.^[6]

References

1. Thompson roars back to life, Gold Coast Football Club official website, 9 June 2014
2. Dew, Jake (2 March 2011). "It's hunting time for ex-Shark Rory". goldcoast.com.au.
3. Wilson, Terry (15 November 2008). "GC17 beat Lions to the punch over Thompson". goldcoast.com.au.
4. Rory Thompson set for Suns AFL debut, North East Australian Football League, 7 July 2011
5. Ablett hurt in Swans romp, Gold Coast Football Club official website, 9 July 2011
6. McInerney, Sam. "22under22 Team Announced". AFL Players' Association. Retrieved 18 September 2013.

External links

• Rory Thompson's profile on the official website of the Gold Coast Football Club
• Rory Thompson's statistics from AFL Tables