ALBURY backman Simon Thomas has parted company with the Tigers.
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Thomas, who has been one of the competition’s best defenders for the past two seasons, told the Ovens and Murray club of his intentions to move overseas earlier this week.
Although the 26-year-old will only leave for the UK in late May or early June, he has no plans of starting the season.
“I’ve absolutely loved my time at Albury, but I’m looking forward to going to the UK and trying to get some work over there,” Thomas, who is known to his teammates as Sugar, said.
“I don’t want to take a kid’s spot and then leave.
“It’s been a fantastic couple of years at Albury and I think it’s exciting times ahead with the massive amount of young talent aged between 18 and 21 at the club.”
Thomas joined Albury from VAFA outfit, the Uni Blacks.
Thomas’ possible departure has been in the pipeline for some time with Albury topping up its defensive stocks over the off-season.
Former Wodonga Raider and Bacchus Marsh key position player Dean Heta and six-time Tiger premiership player Michael Thompson loom as replacements for Thomas.
Keiran Ellis has also returned to Albury and is expected to slot into a midfield or defensive role.
Albury co-coach Shaun Daly said Thomas had been outstanding in his time at Albury Sportsground.
“He’s often played on bigger opponents but was rarely beaten,” Daly said.
“He has great closing speed and always managed to get a fist on the ball.
“But it’s going to provide an opportunity for someone else and we think we are fairly well equipped with ‘Deano’ and ‘Thommo’ coming on board as well as some of the younger players from the reserves and thirds.”
Thomas joins Josh Mellington (Caroline Springs), Jake Page (Coburg) and Sam Schulz (University Blues) in departing Albury.