Dale Thomas tries to get around Chris Giampaolo during the VFL match between Collingwood and North Ballarat at Victoria Park Picture: Harman Stephen Source: Herald Sun
COLLINGWOOD AFL 2010 premiership star midfielder Dale Thomas shook off the remaining legacy of a pre-season ankle surgery to be best afield for the Magpies VFL side in the match against the North Ballarat Roosters.
With coach Nathan Buckley and five of his coaching panel watching from the grandstand, the 25-year-old finished with 22 disposals, six marks and a final-quarter goal to help seal the Pies' 52-point win.
Thomas, the 152 AFL game veteran, put his name forward for inclusion for next Sunday's clash against Hawthorn at the MCG.
The only downside was a hamstring injury to Hawthorn recruit Clinton Young.
The 2008 AFL premiership player, recruited on a three-year deal under the free agency rule, was sidelined from the end of the first quarter. He is likely to miss the next two or three weeks.
Collingwood boasted an array of AFL talent, including Jackson Paine, who booted four goals, Alex Fasolo, who had 25 touches, Alan Didak, after returning from a hamstring strain, and former Brisbane and Western Bulldogs big man Ben Hudson.
The surprise packet was Frankston VFL 2012 best-and-fairest Kyle Martin, who created a big impression with 33 touches and three goals. He was complimented by improved tall Jarrod Witts, who worked strongly at centre bounces and around the ground and also kicked three goals.
Collingwood first-year coach Dale Tapping said Thomas was an inspiration to his team-mates.
"He played pretty well and provided a lot of run," he said. "Dale showed leadership and I imagine him playing in the AFL pretty soon."
Thomas, who covered more than 10 kilometres in territory yesterday, said he was happy to contribute to the team's success.
"The message from Dale Tapping was that we have to work really hard on developing our culture at the club," he said.
"We worked well as a team yesterday, although we let them into the game a bit in the third quarter."
Fasolo said it was great to play again after battling a hamstring injury in the pre-season.
"I played a high percentage of the game and it was all positive," he said. "I didn't have high expectation leading into the match."
Fasolo admitted he would have liked to spend more time close to goal and hoped he would be in consideration for the game against Hawthorn.
Hudson, 34, and Witts dominated the big-man department. Hudson had 20 disposals and 26 effective hitouts. He was also the general at centre bounces and at the stoppages.
North Ballarat's bad kicking in front of goal contributed to a disappointing day for coach Gerard FitzGerald and his players.
The Roosters' best included Aaron Black, Cameron Richardson, Liston Trophy winner Steve Clifton and Billy Driscoll.
Carlton's reigning best and fairest Heath Scotland had 23 touches to play a major role in the Northern Bullants upsetting Werribee in last night's match at Chirnside Park.
The Blues won the match by 15 points, 20.10 (130) to 17.13 (115) Scotland has now completed his club imposed two match suspension.
Ed Curnow was best on the ground with 30 touches for the Blues and Tyson Thomas kicked five goals. Werribee lost North Melbourne recruit ruckman Dan Currie with a hand injury in the second half.
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