Dale Thomas Biography

Dale Thomas admits to being disappointed at not being offered a contract by Carlton for 2020 after being a big part of the club's resurgence towards the back end of 2019.

"I fully believe that we've got 'Teaguey' and the boys fully on board and with the improvement that we've shown, things can turn fairly quickly," he said.

"Somewhat selfishly, I'm disappointed that I'm not going to be a part of that. In saying that, I feel that I've done everything I can to have given myself an opportunity to play next year."

Carlton inform Dale Thomas that he will not be offered a contract for 2020.

The second-oldest player on Carlton's list behind Simpson, Thomas had looked set for an extension beyond his current deal with the Blues following a strong spell of form.

The 32-year-old has averaged 19.6 disposals across half-back for Carlton this season, his second-best figures since his controversial free agency move from Collingwood in 2013.

His shock delisting follows a stellar performance against Richmond on Sunday that featured 32 disposals and seven tackles, the best numbers he has ever amassed at Carlton and the third-most possessions he has had throughout his glittering 256-game AFL career.

Dale Thomas says his form warrants another contract for 2020.

"Hopefully I can go around again, I'm really enjoying it (and) as we see when you get a bit older, the discussion is whether to go on or not," he said.

"I think it should be form-based and, without pumping myself up too much, I think my form's certainly there to carry on."

At the age of 32, Dale Thomas says he isn't thinking about retirement just yet, and will let his form dictate a decision on retirement throughout the latter stages of his career.

"As long as you're playing well and contributing to the team, those questions are more easily answered. In saying that, I'm realistic that I'm a lot closer to the end than I am the start. I'm happy with how the process will play out, as it has the last couple of years," Thomas said.

"It will be a discussion between myself, the club, my family … whether they can be bothered putting up with my crap and being a grumpy old bugger again.

"It's something I love, playing footy. All of the stuff that detracts from it is a shame at times, but the one thing I love and that I'm still passionate about is playing the game."

Blues coach Brendon Bolton says Dale Thomas is not considered an automatic recall to Carlton's senior side next week after being sent to the VFL for drinking before a game.

"[We're] disappointed, no doubt about that. Daisy's owned it and he's disappointed as well. Our leaders met and they've got standards around drinking and drinking close to the game and they've set the tone," Bolton said.

"Daisy knows he got caught up in the moment, [it was] inappropriate, and we've sent a clear message to our playing group."

Carlton will grill veteran Dale Thomas on Tuesday as it investigates his drinking at a charity function less than 48 hours before Sunday's loss to St Kilda.

"Drinking, full-stop, in public, two days before a game when you're 1-9, fails the stupidity test, clearly," Blues football director Chris Judd said.

"So we'll wait and see what the result of the investigations are - I actually don't have the detail, I'm not spinning that."

Dale Thomas is with a $7500 fine for umpire abuse after he accused boundary umpire Michael Barlow of being a cheat during Carlton's big loss to the Giants.

Thomas pled guilty to the charge and revealed he called Barlow via telephone earlier in the week to "apologise unreservedly" for the incident.

"I'm extremely apologetic for the way in which I acted, the words in which I used and the way I spoke to umpire Barlow," Thomas said.

"It was tremendously unfortunate that I put myself in that position, I'm really disappointed in myself for doing that.

"Umpires are an amazing part of our game. Without them, we wouldn't have a game. For me to do that, as an experienced player, it does not set a good example."

Dale Thomas will play on for a 14th season in 2019 after signing a one-year contract with Carlton.

"Earlier this year, I sat back and realised that footy was the one thing I really loved to do and realised it was a privilege to play week in and week out, so I tried to make the most of that mindset and I found this year really refreshing on field despite the results not going our way," Thomas said.

"I feel my body has finally caught up with what my mind knew it could do, I've really enjoyed challenging myself in the new defensive role at half-back and I have relished working closely with the younger boys in our backline this year."

Dale Thomas signs a new deal with Carlton to remain at the club in 2018.

Dale Thomas could be playing his final game for Carlton this week in Sydney against the Swans, with coach Brendon Bolton offering no public reassurances about his future.

"We'll have a discussion at the end of the year and see how that one unfolds," Bolton said.

"We've got to sit down and have a good chat.

"We just wanted to take all pressure off and let him go and play out the year with a free mind, so we'll have discussions in the coming weeks."

Carlton CEO Steven Trigg says the club would be happy to keep Dale Thomas at the Blues for another year in 2018 based on the 30-year old's recent performances.

"If the season stopped right now he'd be in pretty good shape," Trigg said.

"He's a positive influence on the group. No problem if he stays sound for the seven weeks, (contract talks) will be a good conversation."

Carlton waives the contract trigger that would have handed Dale Thomas an automatic extension for next year if he played a certain number of games.

"Acknowledging that we as a club do not publicly comment on the nature of player contracts, Dale has selflessly put the club first in this situation," Carlton list manager Stephen Silvagni said.

"Pleasingly for Dale, he will now be able to go out and play football without the constant, external commentary around the nature of his contract."

Carlton assistant coach John Barker says the speculation around Dale Thomas' contract status is having a mental impact on the 2011 All Australian.

Thomas, who is the final year of his original four-year deal, reportedly has a contract trigger for 2018 if he plays a certain number of games this season.

"There's no doubt the speculation and constant talk about it is affecting his psyche," Barker said.

Carlton CEO Steven Trigg told ABC Radio that Thomas' selection would not be influenced by his contract status.

"If we start influencing a coach's selection based on what's in a contract, you're in a lot of trouble, in terms of the culture of what you do," Trigg said.

"We've said this to his management – he gets selected on merit, he gets another contract on merit, and it's as simple as that."

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton says Dale Thomas needs to work on his consistency in the VFL to win a spot back in the senior side.

Thomas was left out of the side that lost to Port Adelaide by 90 points because of what the club said was soreness.

"One thing about 'Daisy', it's a little bit similar to us as a team, we've played some really good football in patches but been a little inconsistent," Bolton said.

"'Daisy' would be the first to admit, like us, he's been a little inconsistent. He'll go back and work extremely hard."

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton says under-fire Blue Dale Thomas is turning a blind eye to criticism of his form.

Thomas came under scrutiny from media and fans after he turned in a 17-disposal game with little impact in the 43-point loss to Richmond in round one.

"One thing I know about Dale is he's working incredibly hard, running incredibly hard, he's investing in our youngsters," Bolton said.

"With the commentary, Dale's had it his whole career, practically. His focus is purely on his role and listening to the feedback internally and working through it. He's done that this week as well."

Dale Thomas says he had no doubt he would return to his best form through his injury struggles after a standout performance in Carlton's 15-point win over Essendon.

"All along, I understood the more chances I got out on the ground … the more chance that I would be playing better footy," Thomas said.

"There's still a long way to go to get some really consistent levels in my game, but I'm working really hard towards that."

Dale Thomas believes he's on track to put his recent injury woes behind him in 2016.

"I'm feeling pretty good. I'm still on lighter duties until Christmas but the shoulder seems to have recovered really well," Thomas said.

"But it has given the ankle another chance to recover, so that's feeling really good, the shoulder's feeling good and hopefully (I can) keep cracking in, (do) a lot of hard work over the pre-season and my luck can change."

Dale Thomas will miss the rest of the 2015 season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The Blues announced the shoulder Thomas injured in the season opener against Richmond, which initially sidelined him for a month, had flared again.

"His shoulder hasn't been right ever since the first tackle of the first game at the start of the season, and (during) the last couple of games it actually slipped out," Carlton's football manager Andrew McKay said.

"We had some advice from the specialist yesterday and came to the conclusion that he needs a shoulder reconstruction, so he's having that done tomorrow."

Following the sacking of Mick Malthouse as coach of Carlton, Dale Thomas says he blames the media for the scrutiny that Malthouse endured in his final days as coach.

"There were reporters at the club every day from pretty much round two when it was said we were looking to rebuild some depth," Thomas said.

"From that point forward, the media were certainly calling for his head, and it was probably a self admission (that he) didn't have the greatest rapport with the media."

With Carlton coach Mick Malthouse set to break Jock McHale's record for most games coached, Dale Thomas says he tried his best to return from injury to be part of Malthouse's milestone game against the Magpies.

"(I) was pushing to try and get out there this Friday night and be a part of Mick's big game but just wasn't quite there," Thomas said.

"He (Malthouse) is really good at understanding each player and their needs and how to get the best out of them.

"He genuinely has a care for his players on something more than a football level."

Dale Thomas is likely to miss only six matches after scans revealed his injured shoulder would not require surgery.

Dale Thomas dislocates his shoulder when thrown to the ground in a strong tackle by Richmond debutant Kamdyn McIntosh in the opening minute of Carlton's 2015 season opener at the MCG.

Thomas left the ground immediately after his injury and was substituted from the game soon after.

Thomas is now awaiting scans to determine the severity of his injury.

Dale Thomas still has no idea how long he'll be sidelined by his dislocated shoulder.

"I've never had it done before, I looked down and it was halfway down my arm," Thomas said.

"Obviously not great to happen in the first minute of the game but it is what it is.

"Hopefully it's nothing too major and it's just slipped out and not done too much damage.

"Luckily enough the doctor got it straight back in, whether or not that's a good thing we'll wait and see."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says Dale Thomas' ability to recover from a serious injury while switching clubs is commendable.

"Anyone who's had a major injury particularly to the lower leg, the theory used to be that it was almost a two-year recovery – 12 months physical, 12 months mental," Malthouse said.

"He was mentally traumatised by the 'will he or won't he leave (Collingwood speculation)' – that's his own doing – but he had that plus a physical thing to contend with. And that's massive.

"I've always admired Dale, but I admire him more now. He's been able to handle that injury with aplomb and the changeover he's made from a great football club in Collingwood to what we want to be as a great football club has been remarkable."

Dale Thomas admits that at the end of 2013 he doubted whether his right ankle would ever come good, but the Carlton midfielder says he has been completely pain-free this pre-season.

"I'm lucky enough to not have missed a (pre-season) session so far, touch wood," Thomas said.

"I don't feel (my ankle) so that's probably the best sign. I think also mentally I'm running and jumping with more confidence, not really thinking about it at all.

"It will [require] management, rehab and whatnot as long as I keep playing, but hopefully it holds up and it's happy days."

Dale Thomas admits he feared his career would be cut short by a troublesome right ankle injury, which required multiple bouts of surgery around 18 months ago.

"When you have back-to-back surgeries and try to make a comeback to play finals - I probably stumbled at that last hurdle, you do question it," Thomas said.

"But I saw a lot of professionals and people who have an understanding of the ankle structurally, more than my understanding of just how it felt. So they assured me it would be fine. Lucky for them they were right."

Mick Malthouse blasts the media for putting the spotlight on Dale Thomas on the eve of Collingwood's clash with Carlton in round 7.

"Don't try to make it that it's our number one fundamental issue because it's far from that," Malthouse said.

"It's hardly a blip on the radar. For Dale, it will be important to play the game for Carlton and not get tied up in the Collingwood stuff.

"Make it the main focus. But how Dale goes, or how he doesn't go, won't have any bearing on the W or the L."

Dale Thomas admits he hasn't yet reached his peak physically after recovering from an ankle injury but is getting closer.

"Each week as I get some more footy under my belt, I'll be able to spend more time through the midfield and around the ball, and that's where I want to play," Thomas said.

"I've put some pretty high expectations on myself, and it is frustrating to physically not be able to do what you want to do and know you can do."

Dale Thomas pulls out of the Blues' NAB Challenge clash with North Melbourne due to a chest infection.

Dale Thomas says he is prepared for some hostility directed at him from Magpies supporters.

"Obviously the Carlton supporters who once hated me are now right on my side and the Collingwood supporters who once loved me have quickly forgotten what I helped them achieve," he said.

"That's all part of footy, that's why our game's so great - the supporters are so fanatical, they love their club, and as soon as you go unfortunately they don't like you anymore."

Dale Thomas says his body hasn't felt body since 2012.

"The body as a whole, it's probably the best it's felt for almost a year-and-a-half or two years now. I've taken a bit of confidence out of that, walking off the track with a smile every day," Thomas said.

"I'll just keep doing my rehab when I'm off the track and do everything right. I'm very confident the ankle will hold up."

Carlton are confident Dale Thomas will return to full training after the Australia Day long weekend and be ready for round one.

"Dale has been back running for a couple of months now and we're slowly increasing his training load," Carlton's general manager of football operations Andrew McKay said.

"He'll play in a few practice matches and we fully expect him to be right for round one."

Dale Thomas has missed the start of his club's high altitude training camp at Flagstaff, Arizona, with the Blues preferring the 26-year-old continue his rehabilitation in Melbourne for the remainder of this week.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the club chose to trade Dale Thomas to Carlton after having doubts the midfielder would be able to return to full fitness.

"He really struggled with his body over the last two years and I wish him all the best, but we think there were enough question marks about it to allocate that many resources and funds from a salary cap perspective to those questions," Buckley said.

"I hope that [Daisy] gets over his ankle issues and that he is able to return to full fitness and I wish him all the best in that regard."

Thomas responds by saying he is confident he will overcome his latest ankle injury.

"In my time at Collingwood I went and saw all the specialists and I got the same feedback that they got, which was also passed onto Carlton," Thomas said.

"I'm not sure why they have those reservations, but they entitled to their opinions on my ankle, and their doctors would have their opinions.

"All I can go off is how it feels and what I've been told, and so far it feels as good as it ever has.

"Fingers crossed, it holds up and the rest of the body does too. I'm pretty confident with the rehabilitation staff here that I can get stuck right into it and get out there round one."

Dale Thomas says his close relationship with Mick Malthouse was a factor in his decision to move to Carlton but denies falling out with current Magpies coach Nathan Buckley.

"There's no doubting that Mick and I have a great relationship, but I also had a great relationship with Nathan," Thomas said.

"It probably wasn't as close as the one I had with Mick, but in footy clubs you have different relationships with different people.

"The one with Mick, we're probably closer because we have that bond of a premiership, and I look forward to working under him again."

Dale Thomas officially joins Carlton as a free agent after Collingwood failed to match the Blues' offer of a four-year deal to the midfielder.

"Dale is quick, hard at it, has a real presence about him, and will give us a real variety in positional play," Blues coach Mick Malthouse said.

"He's been successful in being part of a premiership side, part of many finals campaigns, and he brings to us a personality that will blend in very well with our current group."

The Blues lodge paperwork detailing a reported a four-year deal worth more than $2.5 million to Dale Thomas.

Under AFL rules, the Magpies now have three days to match the Blues' offer to the 26-year-old.

"It's obviously really tough. I've got some mates coming on this trip with me from the Pies. My friends are still going to be my friends," Thomas said about his likely move to Carlton.

"I've had a great time at Collingwood. (I'm) thankful to all the supporters, they've been fantastic. Obviously now they won't be supporting me. I've had a great ride, some wonderful times, obviously winning a premiership there, (but) I'm looking forward to this next chapter."

Dale Thomas and Heath Shaw fail to show for Collingwood's best and fairest award count despite being given invites by the club.

Carlton recruiting manager Shane Rogers says the club is expecting to lose Eddie Betts to either Adelaide or North Melbourne who have made better offers to the goalsneak.

"The rumour is Adelaide and North have both put an offer in," Rogers said.

"We haven't heard form either of those clubs. We obviously think something's up. We assume he'll let us know soon."

Rogers, however, says the club is optimistic of gaining the services of Magpie midfielder Dale Thomas.

"We're waiting to hear back from his manager to see what Dale's thinking, but we're quietly confident that we might be able to do something there," he said.

"We've put him through two or three medicals. We're comfortable with what the doctors have told us."

Dale Thomas hints strongly that speculation he could leave Collingwood may be premature.

"I could sign (with Collingwood) before any sort of trade week period is up and that settles everything," Thomas told radio station Nova 100.

"And then everyone will have egg on their face and a lot of kids will have to get their No.13 jumpers out of the bin because apparently a lot of them are throwing them out."

Luke Ball says Collingwood teammates Dale Thomas and Heath Shaw should take their time in considering their future with the club.

"They're guys who started at Collingwood at a really young age and have gone though tough periods in their career," Ball said.

"My only advice to them is to have a good think about it and not to rush their decision.

"Do what's best for you and once you make the decision, and the hardest part is making the decision, make sure you put all your energy into moving forward and don't look back, as tough as that is."

Dale Thomas says talks between his management and Collingwood have now resumed.

"It is interesting, a lot of people are speculating as to where I'll be,'' he said.

"I'm a Collingwood player as we speak. My manager will speak to the club and hopefully they can flush out everything and that goes to plan.

"With the market and the industry the way it is, free agency has changed the landscape a great deal. I think that's where all the speculation comes from.''

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley remains hopeful that free agent Dale Thomas will remain at the club despite interest from Carlton.

"We're continuing the conversations and making sure that we find out exactly where Daisy is at and what he needs to hear from us and we'll go from there," Buckley said.

"Obviously since Carlton has gone out it becomes a bit of an issue but we've been having chats ongoing and it will continue."

Following Collingwood's exit from the finals, Dale Thomas says he is now ready to begin contract talks with the Magpies while also entertaining interest from rival clubs, including Carlton.

"All along throughout the year, the talks kind of became on hold while I was making the comeback," Thomas said.

"Now that the season is over and the club doesn't really have a lot to worry about except trying to re-sign players, now it's time for my manager and the club to start talking."

Dale Thomas has decided to rehabilitate his ankle without the benefit of surgery.

"The surgeons have all kind of been on the same page in that they've got a really good belief that (it can heal) with just some rehab and no need to go under," Thomas told Nova FM radio.

Dale Thomas says he has to consider several options on how to treat his chronic ankle injury.

"The things that have been thrown up so far have been from a couple of weeks off resting, to some more surgery," Thomas told Channel Nine's Footy Show.

"So seeking our specialist's advice, along with the club doctors, I'll make a decision on that in the next couple of weeks and hopefully that will give me that best chance of playing some god footy in the future."

As speculation mounts over his future at Collingwood, Thomas says he will be heading overseas to weigh things up.

"There's a lot of things to weigh up, the free agency is a different landscape I suppose in the way contracts are being dealt with and it's kind of new in the football world," he said.

"I've spoken with the footy club and they've been fantastic and supportive. I've given all indications to Nathan and we've talked about the process going forward so hopefully that can all play out.

"But you never do know. Obviously, it changes a lot of things with this ankle, but we'll wait and see and hopefully it's the right outcome for everyone."

Dale Thomas is ruled out for the rest of the year after scans revealed significant damage to his ankle ligaments.

"He is going to see several specialists over the next week or so and in terms of what, if any, impact there will be on his pre-season we will have to wait and see," Collingwood director of football Rodney Eade said.

"A clearer picture of what the options are will emerge once he has been examined."

Dale Thomas is set to have scans after receiving a knock to his troublesome right ankle in the VFL.

Thomas had four possessions and took two marks against Sandringham before leaving the ground. He was on crutches after the game.

Dale Thomas is set to play his first game since early May, with coach Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley confirming the star wingman is likely to return through the VFL.

Dale Thomas says he hopes to return to the Magpies' senior side by round 20.

"I reckon a couple of weeks so when the boys are up in Sydney (round 20)," Thomas said.

"I think that's next weekend maybe. I'll hopefully have a run around (either) next weekend or the weekend after, (but) it probably won't be in the seniors."

After having surgery on his right ankle, Dale Thomas has set his sights on returning in time for the finals.

"All going to plan, hopefully, by the latter stages of the year, I'll be thereabouts," Thomas said.

"Rehab's the worst place to be but I've still got that light at the end of the tunnel that I'm chipping away at and working towards every day.

"If you achieve them (goals) – fantastic. If you fall just short you know you've given yourself every crack at trying to get there."

Dale Thomas says he is not focused on contract talks at the moment.

"As far as my contract at the minute that is the last thing on my mind and the club's mind," he said.

"There are lots more games to win and hopefully by the end of the year we have something to talk about, but until then there is nothing to talk about on that front."

Collingwood chief executive says he is certain that Dale Thomas, a restricted free agent, will remain at the club.

"I don't have any doubt that Daisy will sign," Pert said.

"He's said at the start of the year 'I want to get myself fit, I want to get myself back in the team playing really good footy'. I fully understand why any player wouldn't want to be negotiating their contract when they're sitting in the grandstand every week."

Carlton CEO Greg Swann says Chris Judd's pay cut means Carlton can target rival stars like Dale Thomas.

"I think we could get someone of that dollar value," Swann said when asked about Thomas.

"One of the advantages with Chris re-signing - which we didn't make a big deal out of - but he took a substantial a really, really substantial pay cut, which has obviously freed up a lot of salary cap space,"

Collingwood decides on ankle surgery for Dale Thomas but is hopeful the midfielder will return towards the end of the season.

Dale Thomas says he is not thinking about his future as speculation grows about a switch to Carlton next year.

"It's a massive thing to think about, but I don't need to think about it at the minute because it's not happening," Thomas said.

Dale Thomas makes his return to football after an ankle injury with 24 disposals, 9 marks and a goal in the VFL.

"It seems like ages ago now that the surgery actually happened, so to be back out there now, hopefully I can help out if I get back in to the senior side this week," Thomas said.

As a potential free agent at the end of 2013, Dale Thomas admits that financial incentives become more important to footballers as they get older.

"Football isn't all about money but at the end of the day it is a job... at the start of the day there is probably more love for the game and what you are doing and as you go it becomes, you wise up a little," Thomas told Nova 100 radio station.

"I still love football and I love what I do. The industry as it is with free agents and the like you have to look after your own future."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the club will not risk playing Dale Thomas in round one if he is not fully recovered from an ankle injury.

"We're not going to push a bloke to play round one when it's going to put undue risk on him to re-injure [the ankle], and then you lose him for another month," Buckley said.

"We'll make the decision based on how well he trains between now and when he comes back and when we pull the trigger on him."

Dale Thomas is unlikely to be ready for round one as he recovers from off-season ankle surgery.

"He'll need to get some solid training in and get up to speed before he starts playing any footy," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.

"Whether that's late in the NAB Cup or early in the home and away (season) will depend on the speed of his recovery.

"He's had a modified pre-season and got a lot of fitness work in, but obviously not on [his] legs."

Out-of-contract Dale Thomas is in no rush to re-sign with Collingwood, but wants to avoid the complications with Travis Cloke's negotiations last year.

''Hopefully it doesn't turn into some sort of circus like has happened at other clubs and a little bit last year with Trav Cloke,'' Thomas said.

''It's one of those things that'll play out. There's a lot of things that I have to do first before I would even start talking contracts with the Pies.

''Hopefully I play some good footy and it'll all take care of itself."

Collingwood star Dale Thomas loses a bet that Black Caviar would not win 20 races in a row and pays by having an image of the horse tattooed on his backside.

Racially vilified Gold Coast Suns player Joel Wilkinson praises Collingwood star Dale Thomas for taking a stand against racism.

"I was shocked when the incident took place and it was extremely upsetting at the time, but the actions of Dale Thomas and a number of Collingwood supporters in the area certainly demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of society finds this behaviour to be unacceptable," he said.

"I hope standing up and raising awareness of this issue goes a long way to ensuring that no other player or spectator will be vilified at sporting events or in society in the future."

A Collingwood fan's membership has been torn up after making racist remarks to Sun Joel Wilkinson at the MCG.

Collingwood CEO Gary Pert says the remarks were witnessed by Magpie midfielder Dale Thomas.

"[Dale] made it clear to Joel that if he wanted to take this further, he would support him on that," Pert said.

"Once he advised the club, we instantly prepared the next day to try and find who was the supporter that racially vilified the opposition player.

"That was made easier because of the response of the supporters and members in the area, who were equally disgusted."

Dale Thomas says the bitter pain of Collingwood's 2011 Grand Final defeat is nearly gone.

"You do move on. I think the motivation would have served its purpose to get the boys going at the start of pre-season," he said.

"For us now, it's about continuing what we've done, the hard work we've done, and staying as fit and healthy as we can throughout the season."

Magpie star Dale Thomas has shed his famous long locks to raise funds for the Portland (Victoria) branch of Make-A-Wish and the N.I.C.K Foundation.

"I'm just going off feel at minute and it feels all right," Thomas said.

"But it's not about the hair, it's about the charity and raising money for them so hopefully we've raised a fair bit. Donations are still open for another week so people who haven't donated, if they still could that would be fantastic."

Dale Thomas says it is tough having to miss the start of the finals because of suspension.

"It's (suspension) been a lot tougher than I probably thought. Last week, I was going all right until game day – or probably the training session before – and then it sunk in that I wasn't going to be out there and had to sit there and watch the boys," he said on Nova radio.

"Obviously this week, the finals, you play all year to try and be out there at finals time and unfortunately for me, I'm going to be on the sidelines watching again."

Dale Thomas signs a new deal with Collingwood but admits he would have been paid more if he had decided to go to GWS.

"I think I'm lucky that the decision was made a lot easier by the club that I'm at now. We're a very strong and powerful club and at the minute we're up the right end of the ladder, so to speak," Thomas said.

"That and the position we've come off last year with winning the premiership, and hopefully the group we've got can go forward and win another one."

Collingwood midfielder Dale Thomas faces missing round 24 and the Pies' first final after being offered a two-match ban for a high bump on Fremantle's Garrick Ibbotson.

Dale Thomas admits a big-money offer from GWS had been a factor in his protracted contract negotiations with Collingwood.

"There are a lot of things to go on (with contracts) and the first one was probably interest from outside sources – I think when the money they have and they offers they have compared to, at that stage, what was being offered by where I was at (means you have to consider it)," Thomas said on Nova radio.

"Footy is not about money – if had been about money, I would have nicked off. I obviously haven't signed for whatever GWS could have paid."

Eddie McGuire says Collingwood fans should have a greater appreciation for Dale Thomas who resisted the lure of more money to stay with the club.

"The supporters, if they've loved Daisy in the past, they should absolutely love him for the fact that he could have obviously got more money elsewhere or he could have blown our salary cap to kingdom come," McGuire said.

"He's not signed yet, but close enough and Daisy's been good enough all the way through to say that he had no intentions of leaving the club."

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says a deal between the club and Dale Thomas has been agreed on.

"Not signed yet, but close enough," McGuire said.

"Daisy has been good enough all the way through that he had not intentions of leaving the club – he hasn't tried to extort us or anything like that.

"But there are a few elements to these deals that have to be signed off on by the AFL with the salary cap and all that, so that's basically where we are at the moment."

As speculation mounts about links to GWS, Dale Thomas says talks are still ongoing with the Magpies before he signs a new contract.

"I know that it is taking longer than I would have thought and probably would have like," Thomas said.

"There are a lot of things that need to be negotiated in your contract. You got to them with an offer, they come back and you'd hope you meet somewhere in the middle."

Dale Thomas has been suspended for a Level Three striking offence against St Kilda's Clint Jones thereby ruling him out of the Brownlow race despite many regarding him as one of the best performed players of the year thus far.

Dale Thomas has become one of the toughest and most consistent midfielders in the AFL in 2011.

"He's just got the unique ability in 2011 to be able to play a number of roles," Magpies coach Mick Malthouse said.

"He's played half-back, he's played half-forward, he's played wing, he's played as a defensive mid, he's played as an offensive mid. He's really played six or seven positions today and over the last few weeks and they've all been at a high quality.

"You know what you're going to get with Daisy. He takes his football very, very seriously. He just loves the game and he's obviously loved it since he was a kid. Now he's living his dream and he's able to play the role that we want him to play."

Collingwood midfielder Dale Thomas wants his football future sorted out by mid-season as speculation mounts about his links to Greater Western Sydney.

"Any player would like to be a one-club player, but at the end of the day when offers are on the table, all players must consider them," he said.

"Hopefully for everyone involved the right scenario does play out, which hopefully would be me staying at Collingwood."

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy says he is confident the club can poach one of Collingwood's star midfielders.

"Pendlebury, Thomas and Swan are all superstars. I would be very surprised if Gubby Allan (football operations manager) could not get one of them. They are the type of player we are after," Sheedy said.

Collingwood star Dale Thomas says he has no intention of moving to Greater Western Sydney, laughing off suggestions he could sign with the AFL's 18th franchise.

"I think it is funny that the papers have written all this stuff and we haven't heard a thing," Thomas said.

"Do I want to be at Collingwood? Yes ... for as long as they will have me. It is not all about money, the football business is about winning premierships."

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell is confident the club can fight off reported interest in Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas and Dane Swan from Greater Western Sydney.

"I think there's no doubt they (GWS) will be having a go. Gold Coast did as well, we expect that," Maxwell said.

"It's a challenge for us this year, but we're in a situation where we're very confident we will be able to hold on to them and keep them for a long time."

Collingwood star Dale Thomas says a form slump last season prompted him to approach Magpies coach Mick Malthouse for a shift to the midfield where he has thrived this season.

"I suppose I threw it to the coach and said I would like to play in there (the midfield), and he has given me that opportunity," Thomas said.

"In a way, it was about trying to repay the faith from (the club) in allowing me to go a bit further up the ground. It is probably a bit easier to get a kick up there than playing on the half-forward flank."

After a quiet first half, Dale Thomas dramatically upped his form against Freo on Saturday to finish with an equal season-high 21 disposals.

"I needed to improve, because I did absolutely stuff-all in the first half," Thomas said after the game.

"As a group, Mick said a few of us needed to lift at halftime, and I gathered that was me.

"You know how well you're going yourself throughout the game, and you never want to play bad. It was just good to get out there and get a bit more of it in the second half."

Anthony Rocca and Dale Thomas are strong candidates to return to the Collingwood side for their Thursday night clash with Geelong.