As a 17 year old, Thornton won the Dave Cameron Medal as Peel Thunder's Colts best and fairest, despite missing 4 games to WA State U/18's commitments.
Thornton attended the 2005 AFL Draft Camp held at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Canberra.
He starred for Peel Thunder in the 2011 WAFL season and was awarded with a WA State Team selection, kicking 2 goals in a defeat of Queensland.
Thornton made the 2011 WAFL Team of the Year and capped off a brilliant season when he won the Dudley Tuckey Medal as Peel Thunder's best and fairest.
In 2016 Thornton then returned to Harvey Brunswick Leschenault in the South West Football League (SWFL), where he won the 2016 best and fairest, and a premiership in an undefeated side in 2019.