Luke’s longevity stretches to 250 games

By ZAC MILBANK

Woodville-West Torrens premiership captain Luke Thompson is the first to admit he didn’t think he would be celebrating his 250th Hostplus SANFL League game.

Set to reach his memorable milestone against Sturt at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Saturday, Thompson felt he wasn’t far from retiring when he joined SANFL’s 200 Club in 2021.

Instead, the Eagles’ longest-serving skipper is still enjoying a positive run with injury while maintaining his lofty standards patrolling his team’s defensive 50m arc as he has done since arriving in 2010.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 33-year-old said he would make a family decision on his future at season’s end with wife Caitlin, his daughter Lacie, 5 and son Teddy, 1.

Until then, the former Crow will continue chasing history to become the first Eagle to play in four premierships, having tasted the ultimate success in 2011, 2020 and 2021.

The business manager at Wise Employment cited his club’s family atmosphere and playing alongside fellow 250-gamer Matthew Goldsworthy as factors in him continuing to have the drive to play at SANFL level.

Set to share his milestone with 150-gamer Sam Rowland, Thompson is a three-time West End State team representative, who has also acted as vice-captain when donning the cherished red guernsey.