If Thomson is to claim consecutive GDFNL premierships, it will have to do it without star Billie Smedts.
Scans have found a knee injury suffered by the former Geelong and Carlton player early in last week’s loss to Anakie needs surgery, with the 33-year-old to go under the knife in the next fortnight.
Joining Smedts on the sidelines is defender Nick Lynch, who has a knee of his own that will also have him racing the clock to play again in 2025.
Coach Paul Lynch says losing the key duo will impact the fourth-placed Tigers at both ends of the ground.
“Nick’s very important behind the footy because he can play on a tall or small,” he said. “You lose that dynamic behind the footy.
“Billy’s as good as anyone in the competition. So we’ve got to find another two or three goals every week from somewhere else now.
“Bill gives us that bit of polish around the football, but he always hits the scoreboard when he plays deep forward.
“It’s a huge blow for us. But, I’ve said before, injuries are part of the game, and you’ve just got to deal with them.
“It’s not the first time we’ve been put in this situation, so we’ve just got to deal with the injuries we’ve got and hopefully we can muster something up and make finals and be competitive.”
Smedts and Lynch join Jacob Knight, Steve Salajan and Kane Higgins as those who won’t be seen again this season.
While forward duo Lucas Boyd and Darcy Troop are also in Thomson’s medical room.
Despite the Tigers’ depth being challenged, Lynch will only give up hope of repeating last year’s success when it’s no longer possible.
“We had all the injuries last year, too, and just got there and were able to do some damage in the finals,” he said.
“Although last year was a bit different because we were getting a lot of them back.
“But this year, you know, we’ve probably got five or six that are done for the season, and we’ve just got to deal with that.
But you only have to make it, and stranger things have happened.
“We’ve still got enough talent out there tomorrow against Bell Post Hill, so it’ll be really competitive.
The Tigers also lose Regan Kerslake (unavailable) for tomorrow’s crucial meeting with Bell Post Hill, with Jackson Macleod to play managed minutes in the reserves as he prepares for his 300th game in Round 17.
They’ve been replaced by Jack Wilson, Jayden Spiteri and Will Bourke.
The Panthers, who, like Thomson, can maintain touch with the top three with a win, welcome back Daniel Banister at the expense of Tyler Edwards.
Expect East Geelong to play with plenty of energy when it hosts fellow premiership contender Belmont Lions at Richmond Crescent.
The Eagles are not only keen to put last week’s disappointing loss to Werribee Centrals behind them, but they will be motivated to play well after news of former player Toby Stewart’s cancer diagnosis.
East is rallying behind Stewart, supporting a fundraiser involving former coach Tom Cordner-Maas and his brother Ali, a long-time teammate, who are each planning to run 100km.
As of 1pm Friday, they had raised $13,375 of their $18,000 target. Click this link to donate.
The Eagles welcome back forward Zac Smith, big man Jake Sobey, and Patrick Visentin, who replace Paddy O’Brien-Henderson (groin), Jacob Nolan (shoulder) and Jack Doyle.
The Lions welcome back co-coach Brent Vermeulen, captain Jak Evans, and Noah Wood, replacing the injured trio of Ollie Mayman, Sam Jones, and Jakob Steel.
Boe Collins and Scott Condy have joined veteran midfielder Guy O’Keefe among the key outs for Inverleigh ahead of its must-win meeting with a resurgent Werribee Centrals.
They’ve been replaced by the experienced Dan Grozdanovski and youngsters Jarvis Miles and Sam Cations.
The Centurions have lost Tate Camilleri to a hamstring injury that is likely to end his season, with Brodi Taylor returning to the reserves.
Centrals were hoping to have Bryce Linehan-Cunningham back after he returned from overseas this week, but he broke a finger while playing basketball during the week.
Josh Stone and Justin Porter have been recalled from the reserves.
North Geelong has lost captain Zac Schwennesen (bruised kidney) and the talented Charlie Farrell (groin) to injury among four changes ahead of its meeting with Corio at Shell Oval.
The Magpies will also be without Noah Bily and Charlie McDonald.
They’ve been replaced by Cooper Vaughan, Jasper George, Mark Paramanov, and Josh Widdison,
For Widdison, it’s his first senior game since 2021 after returning from a second stint at GFNL club North Shore.
Winchelsea will look to mark the re-signing of coach Ben Moloney on a two-year deal with a win over Anakie at Anakie Reserve.
The Blues have lost Luke Henry to a hamstring injury, but welcome back Cassidy Parish, Tom Rouget, and Ollie Mahncke.
Jack Symmons and Patrick Dench have been omitted.
The Roos, who remain an outside chance of ending a 26-year finals drought, welcome back Alex Gear and Jay Lever, while Shaq Cox will play his first senior game since Round 2.
Luke Roberts has also been named.
They replace Josh Mawson and Michael Crossett, who are both unavailable, Bryce Hall (broken thumb) and Matt Dettman (hamstring)
Tristian and Lachie Battaglia are back, and Josh Altmann will make his first senior appearance since the opening round of 2023 for Bannockburn as it prepares to host Geelong West at Victoria Park.
They replace Rhys Ginn (bone bruising), Bailey Alford (concussion protocol), and Luke Bowdern.
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