A defender, 1.85 metres (6 ft 1 in) tall and weighing 84 kilograms (185 lb), Bugg was capable of playing on both the half-back line and as a midfielder.

[12] As GWS wouldn't compete in the Australian Football League (AFL) until 2012, he moved to Melbourne in 2011 to complete year twelve at Caulfield Grammar School as a boarder.

[30] He returned to the senior side for the forty-five point win against Brisbane at the Gabba in round thirteen where he was a late replacement for Aidan Corr.

[37] The opening round of the 2015 season saw Bugg play his 50th AFL match in which the club defeated St Kilda by nine points at Etihad Stadium.

[40] He was ultimately cleared by the match review panel where they deemed "Riewoldt stepped into Bugg's path and he was unable to avoid contact"[41] and he later confirmed that the collision was unintentional.

[44] In August, it was revealed that GWS were yet to offer him a contract and speculation grew that he would return to his home state of Victoria after several clubs expressed interest in him.

[53] The second incident was his celebration after kicking his only goal for the match, where he put his finger to his mouth to silence the Richmond cheer squad with a wink, which drew displeasure from the commentators.

[60] While playing for the Melbourne Football Club, Thomas Bugg co-founded ZOOZ Group a social media technology company.