From the Port Adelaide Football Club (29th July 2015):
www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/2015-07-29/vale-don-thompson
PORT Adelaide premiership player Don Thompson has passed away,
Born in Lameroo on 3 August 1934, Thompson made his league debut in 1955 and would become a core component of one of South Australian football’s most successful midfields.
He had the rare fortune of playing in five flags in his first five years – all formed part of the club’s still-standing Australian record run of six straight premierships.
He was among the best on the field for the Magpies in those flags on three occasions, including in his first premiership as a fresh-faced 21 year-old and also in 1956 and 1959.
His reptuation was one of a delightful and warm person off the field, who was stubborn, persistent and mentally tough on it.
Thompson was cut from the cloth of the classic Port player - a never give in attitude, who played tough and hard Fos Williams football.
"I was proud to call him a teammate," says his former captain Geof Motley.
"Don was small in stature, but great as a person. He lifted for the big games and was one of the best finals footballers the club has seen.
"And he was a proud and loyal Port Adelaide person."
Among other merits, he was the club’s best first year player in 1955 having been described as having the potential to become one of South Australia’s best wingmen after just 11 games.
He would also represent the state in five games during 1956 and 1957.
Highly regarded as a strong footballing man, his career probably ended sooner than many of the club’s faithful expected.
Thompson missed the club’s 1962 flag after having his jaw smashed while roving in the second semi final against West Adelaide – a sixth flag cruelly taken away.
He retired from league football that year at the age of 28 to take up the senior coaching position of Rosewater in the amateur league.
He later coached Nuriootpa, Solomontown and Port Pirie.
Thompson was 81 years old, passing away just five days shy of his 82nd birthday.
