HE took 12 years and two stints at the club to play just 21 games for Port Adelaide, but Lindsay Thomas will be fondly remembered by many of the Alberton faithful.
A mercurial forward at his peak, Thomas came through the junior ranks at the Magpies eventually playing six SANFL league games in 2006.
After being drafted by North Melbourne and playing some incredible football for the Kangaroos, Thomas returned to Alberton at the end of 2017.
His 2018 season yielded eight SANFL games along with seven in the AFL, seeing him finish on 212 AFL games and 329 goals before he announced his retirement at season’s end.
Thomas was one of four departing players thanked at the club best and fairest event on Friday night, along with delisted AFL players Jimmy Toumpas and Emmanuel Irra.
As well, Steven Summerton’s remarkable SANFL career was celebrated after he announced his retirement at the end of the season.
“(Retiring) was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make but I know it’s going to be the right one going forward,” he said during the John Cahill Medal presentation at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday night.
“Growing up as a local boy from North Haven with my three older brothers and fanatical Port Adelaide supporters, all I ever wanted to do was play for this great club.
“So to look back now as a 200+ game player and captain for the last five years I stand here in disbelief.
“I can walk away knowing that I gave my heart and soul to the Port Adelaide Football Club.”
SS: To my mum and dad I could never have done this without you, and all I wanted to do was make you proud and I hope I have been able to do that #pafcbnf
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) October 5, 2018
Coach Matthew Lokan said he was privileged to have been able to both play with and coach Summerton.
“He’ll unquestionably go down as one of the most skilful and loyal players in the history of the Port Adelaide Football Club,” he said.
“Personally, I’m extremely proud of the person he has become.
“I was fortunate to play in his first league game and coach him in his last and I’ve seen him become a person who has got the best out of himself and conducted himself in the best possible manner.
“He remained loyal to our club through some challenging times and the Port Adelaide Football Club will be a different place without you Summo.”
Summerton played junior football with Thomas at Port Adelaide having started at North Haven Football Club, and it was fitting that they played their last season and were chaired off after their last games together.
Magpies captain since 2014, Summerton showed incredible loyalty to remain at the club during a difficult period when many others chose to leave.
As a three-time A.R. McLean Medal as the Magpies Best and Fairest, Summerton is no stranger to the best and fairest event.
He also added to his trophy cabinet on Friday night, winning the Bob Clayton Memorial Award recognising his service to the club's SANFL operations and demonstration of Bob Clayton's qualities of being positive, honest, trustworthy, loyal and committed.
2018 DEPARTING PLAYERS
Steven Summerton
SANFL games: 227 between 2006-2018
A.R. McLean Medal - 2010, 2014, 2015
Fos Williams Memorial Trophy as
Max Porter Memorial Trophy as
Bob Clayton Memorial Trophy - 2018
Lindsay Thomas
AFL games: 212
SANFL games: 14 between 2006-2018
AFL goals: 329
SANFL leading goalkicker - 2018
Jimmy Toumpas
AFL games: 27 (10 for Port Adelaide from 2016-2018)
Magpies games: 44
Emmanuel Irra
Magpies games: 33
More on Portadelaidefc.com.au...
