Australian Football

Ted Thomas was a superb half back flank specialist who began his senior career with Oakleigh after the First World War before being signed by Melbourne in 1921. Since winning their only VFL pennant in 1900, the Redlegs had persistently under-achieved, and this pattern continued during Thomas' first four seasons at the club. In 1925, however, Bert Chadwick took over as coach, sparking an immediate improvement: Melbourne reached the finals that season for the first time in a decade, and the following year upset the odds with a storming 17.17 (119) to 9.8 (62) Challenge Final defeat of Collingwood. Playing in his usual spot on a half back flank, Thomas was a key contributor to the win.

In 1930-31, he was a member of two more premiership sides, this time back at Oakleigh, where he played between 1929 and 1931. His final season in league football came at Melbourne in 1932, bringing his final tally of VFL games to 104 in nine seasons.

Author - John Devaney