SUNDAY can’t come quick enough for footballer Max Thompson.
That will be the day the Nyah-Nyah West United premiership forward will take the next step in his footballing journey, with Thompson set to make his Coates Talent League debut with the Bendigo Pioneers.
That Thompson will do so in front of family and friends in his own home town will make it all the more special.
The 16-year-old is ahead of his time, with traditionally under age players not making their Talent League debuts until after the National Carnival in June.
But Thompson is in a league of his own, with the small forward given the green light by selectors to play in front of his home town – and on a ground which already holds special memories.
“I’m not meant to be playing really, but it’s a great feeling to be allowed to get a game in that higher age group and I can’t wait for Sunday,” Thompson told The Guardian this week.
“I’ve got some pretty amazing memories of the last time I played there (at the Swan Hill Recreation Reserve), I haven’t really been there since last year’s grand final and it will be good to be able to play back on there again.
“It will be pretty surreal thinking about it now, running back out onto that ground after what’s happened last year and what’s happened since.”
It will be Thompson’s first visit kick on the Swan Hill Recreation Reserve since NNW United’s 54-point win over Kerang in last year’s Central Murray seniors grand final.
That day saw Thompson emulate his father, Ashley, in becoming a premiership player for his beloved Demons.
Sunday, Thompson will again follow in his proud dad’s footsteps, with Ashley one of the original Bendigo Pioneers back in the early 1990’s.
“Mum won’t be there, unfortunately my sister’s (Arlie) playing Interleague in Echuca, but Dad’s pretty happy seeing as it’s (the Pioneers) pretty much where he started,” Thompson said.
“He played in the very first year of the Bendigo Pioneers and I can kind of tell that he’s pretty happy and proud, as Mum is too.”
Another person who will be excited to see Thompson cross the white line on Sunday is Bendigo Pioneers boys program head coach Danny O’Bree – himself a former NNW United premiership player alongside Max’s father Ashley.
“It will probably the most exciting part of this weekend, getting to be a part of the debut of a very talented 16-year-old,” O’Bree said.
“It generally only happens after nationals, so to get a call from from my boss to say that he had a proposal for me to play Max Thompson was pretty exciting for me.
“Obviously, we have that connection with the family, but it’s just as exciting for him to get his chance as we’ve been wanting to play him since round one.
“He’s going exceptionally well and Sunday will be good for him to get a bit of exposure at the higher level ahead of what will hopefully be a strong Vic. Country campaign during the nationals up on the Gold Coast during the school holidays.
“We feel that coming into the under-18’s program and playing a game of Talent League is certainly going to be beneficial for him.
“It’s just a perfect coincidence that he plays back in his home region.
“It’s a perfect story.”
Thompson is expected to slot straight into the Bendigo Pioneers midfield rotations, swapping up forward in a role he has become accustomed to playing back home at the Demons.
It’s been a big six months for the 16-year-old, who now resides and attends school in Bendigo so as to further his dream of being drafted into the AFL – and again emulate his father.
“It’s been a big change (moving away for school) but I’ve really enjoyed it,” Thompson said.
“Moving away has given me a lot more opportunities to play and improve.
“I’m playing a lot faster footy now and that’s only been good for me, obviously as you move up the ranks the footy gets better, the players are better and it’s always a good opportunity testing yourself against the best of the best.”
