A ruckman, Thompson won five best and fairest awards during his time with Collingwood as well as one Brownlow Medal in 1972.
[2] After a three-week stand-off, Tuddenham and Thompson returned to the club without getting what they had asked, but their actions had resulted in improved pay for other players.
[3] The Collingwood committee responded by stripping Tuddenham and Thompson of their official leadership roles, with Terry Waters being appointed captain.
In 1989, Thompson coached Preston in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) for one season.
He was survived by six children – Kari-Anne, Nicolas, Sam, Lachlan, Laura and Emily – and former partners Julie, Susi and Bronwyn.