#5: Nathan Thompson
The stats
Draft: Pick #82, 1997
Position: Forward
AFL games: 179 (1998-2008)
Goals: 327
Premierships: Pre-season premiership (1999)
Review
Moving into the second half of our countdown, Nathan Thompson is next at #5.
Thompson was drafted to Hawthorn in 1997 with pick #82 from Kyneton.
Entering the side at 20 years old, he exceeded expectations and became an efficient tall-marking forward that went on to play in Hawthorn’s 1998 and 1999 pre-season premiership sides.
The young gun Hawk received an AFL rising star Nomination in 1999 and was followed by success to finish 3rd in the 2001 Peter Crimmins Medal.
His supreme ability around the goal square saw Thompson become Hawthorn’s leading goal kicker for two consecutive seasons in 2003 and 2004.
Thompson played 119 games for Hawthorn across 1998 – 2004, collecting a monstrous 192 goals across his tenure.
Seeking a fresh start, Thompson moved to North Melbourne after the 2004 season. He later played 60 games for the Kangaroos before being delisted and announcing his retirement at the end of 2008.
Top 10 Countdown:
#10: Simon Taylor
#9: Kris Barlow
#8: Shane Savage
#7: Jade Rawlings
#6: Rayden Tallis
