Matt Thomas Biography

Matt Thomas announces his retirement from AFL football after an injury-affected two-year stint as a Tiger since crossing over from Port Adelaide.

"I want to thank both Richmond and Port Adelaide for giving me the opportunity to play AFL football, especially Richmond for giving me a second chance," Thomas said.

"Now is the right time to retire. I feel I have got everything I can out of my ability and have no regrets.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Richmond and thank you to all the Tiger fans for their support.

"I sincerely hope the club enjoys the success it deserves in the future."

Richmond has re-signed six players, including versatile defender Jake Batchelor and Ricky Petterd.

Batchelor has inked a deal that will keep him at Punt Rd until at least the end of 2016, while Matt Dea, Matt McDonough, Todd Elton and Petterd have also put pen to paper.

Former Port Adelaide midfielder Matt Thomas has re-signed as a rookie-listed player for a further year as well.

Matt Thomas has received permission to train with Richmond as he seeks to keep his AFL career alive.



Fresh from being delisted by the Power, Matt Thomas is awarded the Magarey Medal after an outstanding season in the SANFL and says the award provides hope that he can extend his AFL career at another club.

"I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment – it's been a rollercoaster 24 hours," Thomas said.

"To have a sweetener like that heading into a really important month of footy is just really great.

"To be alongside those [previous winners] is something that I'll obviously hold pretty special and dear to my heart."

Matt Thomas has been delisted by Port Adelaide, along with key forwards Daniel Stewart and Nick Salter as well as defender Nathan Blee.

They are four of seven changes to the club's squad, with rookies Justin Hoskin, Darren Pfeiffer and Danny Butcher also delisted.

As another showdown approaches, Matt Thomas says he has tempered his attack on the contest in a bid to stay free of injury and the tribunal.

"The game is so quick and you're so fatigued you're not even thinking too much - you're just playing on instinct a little bit, so if anything I'm not worrying too much about all that kind of [physical] stuff," Thomas said.

"I'm just worried about playing footy and I'm not trying to have an influence in the ways that I might have in the past."

Hard-working Power half-back Matt Thomas says Warren Tredrea is playing the best football of his career after the former captain booted seven goals against Richmond including the match-winner.

"It was as good a game as he's ever played for the club and it was right up there with the most influential. He kicked goals when we needed them and, in the end, he took that mark fairly deep in the pack.

"I've said that not being captain has been good for him. Now, he can smell the roses. He can worry about himself and he doesn't have to do all the meetings, all the media and all the other things that a captain has to do."

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams says Josh Carr will not get a last-minute call up for the Showdown after being dropped due to poor form.

Williams said that Carr's position would be filled by the younger Matt Thomas.

"Matt Thomas is coming back into the side and he plays very similarly to Josh Carr. Right now, Matt Thomas is playing better than Josh Carr, so that was the start and finish of it," Williams said.

Lion Simon Black and Power Matt Thomas have been cited by the match review panel for reckless contact with umpires.