http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/mark-bomber-thompson-to-be-james-hirds-boss-at-essendon/story-e6frg7mf-1225930260349

ESSENDON appears poised to leave Geelong in turmoil, after pulling off a massive coup by poaching dual Cats premiership coach Mark Thompson back to Windy Hill.

Thompson, a past Essendon captain, dual best-and-fairest winner and multiple premiership player, has agreed to work as James Hird's boss in what is an extraordinary boost for the flagging Bombers, which have lost their way since Kevin Sheedy was axed three years ago.

The imminent announcement that Thompson will next year be the Bombers' director of coaching, above senior coach-in-waiting James Hird, is expected to rock the foundations of Skilled Stadium, where Thompson is contracted as the Cats' senior coach for another season.

If it's all true, holy shiit

Huge news.

But it seems very far-fetched.

Huge news.

But it seems very far-fetched.

If true, Thompson's a massive rat for putting so much pressure on Ablett, speaking all high and mighty about loyalty, and then ditching Geelong just as times start getting a little tougher

If true, Thompson's a massive rat for putting so much pressure on Ablett, speaking all high and mighty about loyalty, and then ditching Geelong just as times start getting a little tougher

Yep, that's precisely why I'm not convinced.

We'll soon see I guess.

Money talks & Bomber did get the handbags 2 Cups which no one else could.

No wonder the Bombres were so quick to pay knights out regardless of the cost.

I would lose all respect for Bomber is he left the cats after what he has said publicly about loyalty. I just can't see it happening.

Once again, just like Hird, I don't care how good a coach Thompson is, you can't make and omelette out of dogsh%t.

The bombers list is a mess and they cannot do a rebuild with GC17 and GWS compromised drafts.

In any case, expect the bombers to try to offload players en masse for draft picks in trade week.

I wish Essendon all the best and hope and pray that they reach mediocrity and stay there for an extended period.

Can't wait to see them eating their own legends like Hird.

Sick of hearing from Watson on SEN, Lloyd on One....I am just sick of Essendon.

May a decade of revolving coaches, wooden spoons and false dawns of key forwards await you.

Edited September 27, 201014 yr by Demon Hill

I would lose all respect for Bomber is he left the cats after what he has said publicly about loyalty. I just can't see it happening.

I lost respect for Bomber when he suggested that Jeff White's face could've broken Steven King's leg back in that 2005 final.

Doubt this will happen.

Seems to fly in the face of many a stats claim by Bomber that he only coach the one club then move on from footy . Source>Smith ... Hmmm think I'll wait on this

Seems to fly in the face of many a stats claim by Bomber that he only coach the one club then move on from footy . Source>Smith ... Hmmm think I'll wait on this

bomber will be a mentor. not in the front line. don't forget money is not an issue for thompson anymore. his real estate grows in value daily apparently.

This is crazy..Hird, Wellman and now Thompson...

Not forgetting the 1.2 mil payout to Knights..

Hird..You would think at least 1 mil a year over 4..4mill

Thompson?

Wellman..

All in all.. ALOT of spending!

Its obviously why one of the first things Hird said in the conference was to get members to jump on board haha they need some money!

This is very bold and risky move by the bombers!!

I wish Essendon all the best and hope and pray that they reach mediocrity and stay there for an extended period.

Can't wait to see them eating their own legends like Hird.

Sick of hearing from Watson on SEN, Lloyd on One....I am just sick of Essendon.

May a decade of revolving coaches, wooden spoons and false dawns of key forwards await you.

Gee, I hope for your sake the Hird/Thompson combo doesn't actually work out to be a success, cos you'll have to get used to hearing alot more about Essendon if that's the case.

I don't know if all of this will work out, but at least it's a positive move from my club.

will lose a lot of respect for thompson if he leaves espically since he played the loyalty card during the year.

will lose a lot of respect for thompson if he leaves espically since he played the loyalty card during the year.

HEAVILY. It's about the only thing he could come up with.

bomber will be a mentor. not in the front line. don't forget money is not an issue for thompson anymore. his real estate grows in value daily apparently.

Is it true that Bomber's jumped ship?

Is it true that Bomber's jumped ship?

Seems the only likely reason:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/103331/default.aspx

Is it true that Bomber's jumped ship?

Presser at 3pm by Cook and Balme.

Wonder now how long til yablett has his presser ?

Must be a bit quiet in ye olde Geelong right now .

Era ended

Gee, I hope for your sake the Hird/Thompson combo doesn't actually work out to be a success, cos you'll have to get used to hearing alot more about Essendon if that's the case.

I don't know if all of this will work out, but at least it's a positive move from my club.

Clearly every effort is being made to surround Hird with a highly experienced, well-credentialed support team, which is something Voss hasn't had. I also doubt he's going to fail in the way Voss did, because of the difference in the state of yours and Brisbane's lists. It was harder to gauge where Brisbane were at, and from the day he decided to take the job, Voss was faced with the tough decision of whether to rebuild or to chase a premiership while Brown/Black/Power were around; he chose the latter and it has backfired terribly. With Essendon, it is resoundingly clear that they need to rebuild, now more than ever after Knight's ill-fated "quick fix" salution. While it will be tough with the upcoming compromised drafts, there objective is clear and theres no risk of Hird making a drastically wrong term vis a vis list management. Even though the Voss comparisons are inevitable, they're very different scenarios.

That said, I'd still be a bit worried about the coterie group having a disproportionate influence if I was a Bombers supporter, and I'm not sure about their general attitude that they need "Essendon people" running things.

Wonder now how long til yablett has his presser ?

Must be a bit quiet in ye olde Geelong right now .

Era ended

Hutchy last night was adamant that Geelong still had a chance of retaining Ablett.

If Bomba goes they have no chance.

(not that there still was any).

they'll be feeling a lot more Blue than White down there right about now !!

Well, there you go.

Mark Thompson is not going to Essendon, but might not coach Geelong next season.

Suffering from burn out apparently after 11 years as a senior coach.

My How the Spirits down at Handbag Heaven would have changed in the last 8 days!

The [censored] are no more, we will not hear a wimper from Geeeeeelong for about a decade i am tipping.

That Stupid Taxi Driver Wayne from Geelong will no longer be able to Waffle on over the airwaves of Late Night SEN about Rubbish ever again (Gee Wiz)...What a Great Day!!! B) B)

Edited September 28, 201014 yr by why you little

smith wrong again.. how unusual..lol