Marcus Thompson’s stunning career will mark another milestone this week, when the Leopold great runs out for the 200th time in green and gold in tomorrow’s meeting with Grovedale at Memoria Park.
The 30-year-old midfielder will become the 18th player in the club’s 70-year history to achieve the feat, made all the more impressive by the fact that he has never made a reserve grade appearance since debuting in 2012.
Thompson admits he has taken the chance to reflect on what he’s achieved over the past 15 years, which has included three premierships (two as captain), three best-and-fairests, six team of the year selections, eight VFL games for Geelong, as well as GFNL and Vic Country representation.
“You can’t help but go back and think about all the wonderful memories I’ve been able to have at the club and the people I’ve been able to meet,” Thompson told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast.
“And, you get some nice messages throughout the week, and, again, reflect on the relationship with those people in particular.
“I’m very, very grateful to be able to play 200 games for a club I love playing for.
“It’s been special in the lead-up so far.”
Thompson admits growing up, the idea of winning a premiership with Leopold, let alone three, “felt pretty far-fetched”.
“South Barwon in that era, St Joseph’s were always there, Bell Park was strong, Newtown had former AFL players, and it just felt like we weren’t really ever going to win one, (and were) probably making up the numbers a little bit,” he said.
“And there was so much work that got put into the football club and netball club and the culture around it to be able to put ourselves in a position to actually succeed and not just be one of the numbers.
“So I’m certainly incredibly grateful and lucky to be right place, right time.
“But, I think if you were to ask me when I was a 14-year-old kid just playing junior footy at Leopold, I’d become what you said; a three-time premiership player and be able to captain a few of them, I just simply wouldn’t believe you.”
While Thompson will be playing his 200th game, Werribee premiership player Jay Dalhaus will make his debut for Leopold.
However, it won’t be the crafty Dahlhaus’ first GFNL senior appearance, having played seven matches for junior club St Mary’s across 2021-22.
The Lions also welcome back captain Mitch Burgess and Billy Ritchie.
They replace Jed Henerson (concussion protocol), Harry Wall (ankle) and Lochie Nash (unavailable).
Grovedale welcomes back co-captain Rory Quinn, key forward Tom Gillett, and recruit Brad Kreuger.
They replace Eli Edwards, Tom DeGoldi, and Paul Potter.
Big man Ollie Hicks (corkie) and the classy Isaac Wareham (broken nose) return for Bell Park ahead of its annual Zoe Kennedy Foundation meeting with Newtown & Chilwell at Hi Sushi Oval.
They replace Tom Montgomery and Riley Hanrahan.
As reported earlier this week, the Towners have lost recruit Taj McMillan (broken collarbone), Alfie Wojcinski (hand) and Jedd Coburn (hamstring).
Charlie Field has been recalled from the reserves, with Tom Kiddle and Rory Diamond to play their first senior games of the season.
St Joseph’s has lost Liam Kershaw to a concussion and Zac Knights to a knee injury as it prepares to host Geelong West at Plan Group Oval.
Josh Nurnaitis returns from serving a one-match suspension.
The Giants welcome back former captain Bradley Wood and have promoted Oscar Leavold from the reserves, replacing the injured Josh Dwyer and the omitted Spencer Jones.
St Albans will be boosted by the availability of WAFL-based big man Matt McKenzie and the return from suspension of star forward Tom Higgins for its meeting with South Barwon at McDonald Reserve.
The Supersaints have also named Tom Caudullo for his first outing since Anzac Day.
They replace Will Lane, Hunter Dickson and Declan Barbary.
The Swans have included Taylor Mulraney for his first senior appearance since the 2024 second semi-final, while also promoting Ethan Borys and Paddy Bourke.
Livewire forward Jonty Broughton also returns.
They replace Tom Peirce, who appeared in Geelong’s VFL win over Brisbane earlier today, and managed trio Fraser Fort, Andrew Boseley, and Tom Burke.
North Shore will unveil two more debutants as it prepares for the daunting task of taking on St Mary’s at Anthony Costa Oval.
Harper Curtis (Hepburn) and Tasmanian Jesse Kerkham are among three inclusions for the Seagulls, who have also recalled Bailey Lewis from the reserves.
Jamie Beard returns to the under-18s, Oscar McCausland is battling illness, and Ben Collier is unavailable.
The Saints have made six changes, including the injuries to veteran Jarryd Garner (hamstring), the luckless Harvey Ryan (ankle), and Josh Sanders (calf).
Sam Bourke, Bayley Cockerill and Charlie Lang have been managed.
Reigning Frank Fopiani medallist Keidan Rayner returns, with Harry Segrave, Nicholas Dowling, Noah Biggs, Nicholas Saunders, and Mackenzie Butcher promoted from the reserves.
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