[2] In 2004 he played every game (barring a one-match suspension for striking) before breaking his foot against Essendon in round 13 and missing the remainder of the year.

[3] At the end of the 2004 season, Thompson asked to return to South Australia as his brother was unwell and Adelaide was able to complete a trade, exchanging pick 12 in the national draft.

Thompson continued to improve and by 2007 had become arguably one of the elite players in the AFL, averaging almost 25 disposals and 6 marks per game and polling 18 votes in the 2007 Brownlow Medal to finish equal 7th.

[8] Thompson continued to dominate the following season, winning his second consecutive Malcolm Blight Medal and being named in the All-Australian team.

[7] Thompson continued to be an integral part of the Crows' midfield in 2013 and 2014, ranking near the top at the club for disposals (1st and 3rd), clearances (1st and 2nd) and tackles (1st and 3rd).

[14] He announced his retirement from AFL a few weeks later, planning to play out the rest of the season in Adelaide's SANFL side.