BIO

Carlyle Garfield Thompson was born on 7 October 1915. Originally from Mount Barker, he played in the Mount Lofty Football Association and had caught the eye of both Norwood and Port Adelaide officials by 1935. He was most impressive in pre-season trials for Port Adelaide but an ankle injury in the last practice match saw him miss selection in the opening League game and he decided to return home. Norwood were still keen to secure his services and the following season saw him try out with the Redlegs, possibly because his cousins Bob and Douglas McLean were already at the club.
 
Showing excellent form at training and in practice games, he was a ready made League footballer and his selection in round one came as no surprise. In one of the internal trials, Thompson had done a fine job standing future "Hall of Famer", Bruce Schultz. A good kick, sure ball handler and relatively quick, he was named as a half back flanker in his League debut against Sturt.  Moved to Centre Half Back when Harold Page was injured during the game, Thompson  was high in Norwood's best players. He went on to play in all of Norwood's League games for that season and was named the club's Best Junior for 1936, playing predominantly as a half-back.  

He continued playing outstanding football in the same position from 1937 to 1939 and was rewarded with the Best Backman, Best Utility and Best Back Play  trophies in successive years. Early in the 1937 season, he was a member of the Norwood team that defeated Port Adelaide by one point in an exhibition game at Kadina.
 
Later in his career Thompson played as a ruckman resting in the forward lines and in 1940 was named Norwood's best all round player, as well as being  presented with a five year certificate for his services to the club.
 
After serving in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in World War II, he returned to football in 1945. Mirroring his debut match, his final game was against Sturt on the Norwood Oval playing at half back and the Redlegs ran out winners again.
 
He became a Norwood Football Club Life Member in 1945 , after games credited to him due to his war service allowed him to qualify for the honor.

R Cialini May 2014