Thorp was a key position player, and was taken by Hawthorn at pick six in front of Joel Selwood 2006 National Draft.
Thorp debuted against Richmond in round 15 and after a large media buildup he played a promising game, including kicking a goal.
In a match for Weribee against the Coburg Tigers, Thorp ran into, and knocked out, former Richmond defender Graham Polak.
In the same season, Thorp won the Tassie Medal as the TSL's best player that year, starring in the state's win over the NEAFL and being the best forward in the competition.
Despite reported interest from Carlton, the Western Bulldogs, Fremantle, Gold Coast and Brisbane, Thorp was unsuccessful in getting drafted.