Thomson is a Rising Star

06/05/09

The Round 4 NAB AFL Sydney Rising Star is Wollongong's Mitchell Thomson.Thomson made an outstanding senior debut for the Wollongong Lions on Saturday. The seventeen year old was playing his first game for the season and was expected to return through the Under 18's but a rash of injuries at the Lions resulted in coach Trevor Burnett promoting him straight into the senior side. It proved a wise decision as Thomson was the Lions' best in their defeat against Pennant Hills.Despite playing most of his junior football as a defender Mitchell spent large parts of the day in the ruck where he used his big leap to pull down several telling marks and get his hand on the ball first at stoppages around the ground.Thomson's enthusiasm rubbed off on his teammates and was the catalyst for the Lions improved showing in the second half against the Demons. "We're rapt in Mitch," Burnett said. "I knew he had this kind of game in him and he showed us plenty in preseason but to come out and dominate in the ruck in his first game was something really pleasing."