Mark Thompson insists it’s time to ‘move forward’ as Essendon legend opens up about AFL’s return from Footy Great’s ice cream addiction after Bombers’ supplement saga
- Mark Thompson says it’s time to ‘move forward’
- Bomber has struggled with an ice cream addiction
- He will present a medal at the Grand Final
Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson thinks it’s time to ‘move forward’ and ‘forgive and forget’ after the football legend’s surprise return to the AFL was announced.
Thompson, 59, will present a medal at the grand final later this month and said he is grateful to have been invited by football bosses.
“They asked me and I didn’t see any reason why I shouldn’t – so I said ‘yes’ and I’m looking forward to being a part of it,” he told the Herald Sun.
“They never said anything (about the past) and I didn’t say it either. We should all just move on and get on with things.
“It was always going to happen sometime, so it might as well happen now.
Mark Thompson insists it’s time to ‘move forward’ ahead of his AFL return
The football legend will award a medal at this year’s grand final
“It’s forgive and forget and move on.”
A highly respected coach in AFL circles, Thompson saw his life spiral out of control after the Essendon supplement scandal in the 2010s, culminating in an addiction to ice cream and a breakdown in his marriage.
Thompson was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
His marriage ended in 2018 before he was charged with drug possession after a police raid on his warehouse apartment in Port Melbourne.
Thompson became addicted to drug ice cream through his roommate – a heavily tattooed motorcyclist – and told a court in 2019 how he was in a “bad place” and used ice to “mask the pain.”
The player who played 203 games hit rock bottom when he was convicted of drug possession and served a 12-month community correction order.
Thompson began seeing a psychologist in early 2018, who he says got him back on track after being diagnosed with PTSD.
“All my life have been football people and that’s what I had to get rid of because it was something that drove me crazy,” he said.
Thompson’s life has been spiraling out of control lately, culminating in an ice cream addiction
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says footy would like to welcome Thompson with open arms.
“I won’t speak for Mark, but I think people make mistakes in our game. I think we have the ability to actually welcome people back and continue to celebrate their place and role in the game, and that’s definitely where Mark is at,” he said.
“He was a great player and an important coach and I am very happy that he will hand over the trophy to the premiership coach.
“I hope it’s important to Mark, and I think it’s important to the game.”