One of the lingering questions leading into Season 11 of the Hyundai A-League has today been answered, with iconic striker and fan favourite Archie Thompson extending terms with the Melbourne Victory in a deal which will see him add to his tally of 210 games with the reigning champions.
With the players still on their offseason breaks, the club’s announcement ahead of the beginning of pre-season training on Monday is a real morale booster. Thompson’s extension at times looked somewhat unlikely with the club factoring in the salary cap squeeze, while balancing the delicacy of negotiating fair terms with the the club icon.
Thompson, a darling of the navy blue faithful, played a reduced role in last season’s title winning run, sparingly used as an impact player off the bench but still proving his worth with no loss of pace and trickery that has mesmerised opposition defences over the years.
Currently sitting on 89 A-League goals (a competition record, four clear of Shane Smeltz), there was undeniable interest from rival clubs in Thompson had the Victory not been able to negotiate an adequate deal.
But in a footballing climate where club viability and uncertainty continues to waver with player movement as prevalent as ever, Thompson’s signing shows there is still room for sentiment in football.
Thompson showed more than enough throughout last season to suggest he is still more than capable at the top level domestically, and while you would expect his role will remain very similar, not many A-League defenders would enjoy the proposition of a fresh Thompson entering the fray with 15 minutes on the clock with a game up for grabs.
Complimenting the likes of Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and Fahid Ben Khalfalah, there will be times throughout the season, particularly around international commitments, where manager Kevin Muscat will need to rotate his squad and allow his marquee stars an opportunity to rest.
Enter Thompson.
Without question there would be nine other clubs throughout the competition who would enjoy the luxury of calling on a player of the calibre and workrate as Thompson during these periods.
Some suggest his best is behind him. That may be accurate to an extent, but it is worth bearing in mind that Thompson’s international career was considered over some years ago, yet we witnessed through his hugely influential contribution towards the Socceroos’ most recent World Cup qualifying campaign as a surprise selection under Holger Osiek, that the wily old veteran would enjoy proving the doubters wrong as he has done in the past.
And it would take a brave footballing pundit to suggest the magical 100-goal milestone would be beyond Archie’s reach at some point.
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