Australian Football Association of North America

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

On the same day James Hird was appointed as the new coach at Essendon, Geelong Coach Mark Thompson informed Geelong president Frank Costa that he needed a break to consider his future. He told Costa that he was "burnt out" and mentally exhausted after coaching the club for 11 years. Thompson has one more year left on his contract, but could decide to quit. While Costa was sympathetic and expressed concern for Thompson's welfare, he also looked at the reality of the timing. Costa told Thompson to go away and think about everything for a few days but said the club would need a decision soon.

CEO Brian Cook agreed with Costa, saying the club would need an answer sooner rather than later with list management meetings, player contracts, selection of new staff as well as the upcoming trade period and draft. At first, there was the consideration that Thompson would take three months off and leave the preseason to his assistants. That is no longer an option. One possibility is that Thompson could resign and give up coaching altogether.

Thompson, 46, played 202 games for Essendon and was a premiership player with the Bombers 1984-85. He also captained the club in their 1993 Premiership year. He retired in 1996 but remained with Essendon as an assistant to Kevin Sheedy until 1999. He then served as an assistant to Denis Pagan at North Melbourne before taking on the coaching position at Geelong in 2000. At the time, Geelong was millions of dollars in debt and struggling on the field. Thompson, club President Frank Costa and CEO Brian Cook (both appointed in 1999) all made a pact that they would stick together to rebuild the team and wipe out the club's debt. In his time as coach, the team has played in six Finals series winning two Premiership Cups from three Grand Finals appearances.

Source: afl.com.au