Thomson Dow

Thomson Dow (born 16 October 2001) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played junior representative football with the Bendigo Pioneers, was drafted by Richmond with the 21st pick in 2019 AFL draft and made his debut in round 14 of the 2020 season. He is the younger brother of Carlton midfielder Paddy Dow.

Thomson Dow
Personal information
Date of birth (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001
Original team(s) Bendigo Pioneers (NAB League Boys)
Draft No. 21, 2019 AFL national draft
Debut Round 13, 2020, Richmond
vs. West Coast, at Metricon Stadium
Height 182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 76 kg (168 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club Richmond
Number 27
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2020– Richmond 2 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2020.
Career highlights
  • Cosgrove-Jenkins Award (RFC Best First-Year Player): 2020
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life and junior football

Dow grew up on a family fruit farm outside the regional Victorian town of Swan Hill as the third of four brothers.[1][2] He played junior football at the local Swan Hill Football Club, including in an under-16s premiership at age 14 alongside his older brother Paddy.[2]

Dow later earned selection into the junior representative pathway with the Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB League and in 2017 was selected to the Victorian Country team at the Under 16s national championships.[3][2]

In 2018, Dow began boarding at Geelong Grammar School but missed significant periods of the football season due to injuries, though still managed to earn selection to the AFL Academy as one of 30 Victoria Country region 16 and 17 year olds.[4][5][6]

Alongside matches for Geelong Grammar in the APS league, Dow was a prolific ball-winner in the early weeks of the 2019 NAB League season, eventually earning selection to the Victorian Country team at the 2019 AFL Under 18 Championships.[7][8][9] He played in each of the team's four matches at the tournament including with an 18-disposal performance in a win over the Victoria Metropolitan side.[10] Dow returned to the Pioneers for the end of the season and continued to turn in strong performances, finishing the season as the Pioneers' leading vote getter (six) in the league best and fairest award after averaging 21.6 disposals and a goal per game across the length of the season.[11][12][2]

Following the 2019 junior season, Dow was invited to attend the AFL National Draft Combine, where he recorded a third-place 8.061 time in the agility test.[13][14] In the days prior to the draft Dow was projected to be selected at pick 27 by AFL Draft Central and pick 31 by ESPN, while being left out of the AFL Media's top 30 mock draft.[15][16][17]

Junior statistics
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles

NAB League Boys

Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2018 Bendigo Pioneers 1442—2324478110.5—5.86.011.82.02.8
2019 Bendigo Pioneers 455—466210822121.0—9.212.421.64.42.4
Career 9 7 — 69 86 155 30 23 0.8 — 7.7 9.6 17.2 3.3 2.6

Under 18 National Championships

Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2019 Vic Country 841—202949680.3—5.07.312.31.52.0
Career 4 1 — 20 29 49 6 8 0.3 — 5.0 7.3 12.3 1.5 2.0

AFL career

2020 season

Dow was drafted by Richmond with the club's first pick and the 21st selection overall in the 2019 AFL national draft.[18]

Following a full pre-season training period, Dow made his first appearance for Richmond in the club's first 2020 pre-season series match against Collingwood in Wangaratta.[19][20] He impressed head coach Damien Hardwick with five disposals in just one quarter of match play and earned another selection in the club's second and final match of the pre-season.[21][22] Dow went unselected when the season began later that month and was also unable to play at reserves level after the VFL season was cancelled due to safety concerns as a result of the rapid progression of the COVID-19 pandemic into Australia.[23] At AFL level, just one round of matches was played of the reduced 17-round season before the imposition of state border restrictions saw the season suspended for an indefinite hiatus.[24][25][26][27][28] Dow starred in an unofficial scratch match against Collingwood's reserves when the season resumed in June following an 11-week hiatus, the first of a series of unorthodox reserves games played that season in place of the official VFL compteition.[29][30] He continued to play scratch matches through the rest of June, but missed one match in early-July due to a stomach illness.[31][32] Dow traveled with the main playing group when the club was relocated to the Gold Coast in response to a virus outbreak in Melbourne in July, and continued to play reserves grade matches during that time.[33] He was named a non-playing AFL emergency for the first time in round 8 and again in each of rounds 12 and 13, before being named to make an AFL debut in round 14's match against West Coast at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.[34][35][36][37][38] He recorded 12 disposals and three clearances in the match, which was played like all matches that year with playing time reduced by one fifth, owing to the pandemic-induced fixture changes that resulted in multiple games played with short breaks.[39][40][41] After a quieter follow up performance the following week, Dow was dropped back to reserves level ahead of the club's round 17 match against Geelong.[42][43] He remained there for the balance of the season and through the month of October, while his senior teammates won the club its 13th AFL premiership.[44][45][46] Dow finished his debut season having played two AFL matches and earned the Cosgrove-Jenkins award as Richmond's best first year player.[47]

Player profile

Dow plays as an inside midfielder.[18][48] He is notable for his handballing prowess and ability to win clearances from stoppage situations.[49]

AFL statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of the 2020 season[42]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2020[lower-alpha 1] Richmond 2720021416240.00.01.07.08.01.02.0
Career 2 0 0 2 14 16 2 4 0.0 0.0 1.0 7.0 8.0 1.0 2.0

Notes

  1. The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personal life

He is the younger brother of Carlton midfielder Paddy Dow.[2]

References
  1. Twomey, Callum (4 April 2020). "When life gives you lemons: Dow brothers back on the farm". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  2. Beveridge, Riley (14 November 2019). "Class of 2019: The Blue's brother with similar wow factor". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  3. Balmer, Matt (11 June 2017). "U16s and Futures Scouting Notes". AFL Draft Central. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  4. "Thomson Dow". AFL Draft Prospects. AFL Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  5. Twomey, Callum (26 October 2018). "No.1 contender Rowell heads 2019 Academy intake". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  6. Barnes, Josh (19 November 2019). "Thomson Dow credits move to Geelong Grammar for his growth ahead of AFL Draft". Herald Sun. Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  7. Balmer, Matt (27 March 2019). "AFL Draft 2019: Pick 1, top 10 prospects, order, AFL Draft Watch, Noah Anderson, Finn Maginness". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  8. Twomey, Callum (9 April 2019). "Vic Country draft prospect sidelined with fractured leg". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  9. Twomey, Callum (30 May 2019). "U18 Championships: 20 young guns to watch". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  10. Twomey, Callum (1 June 2019). "Top-five draft prospects shine as U18 Championships kick off". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  11. Williams, Peter (25 August 2019). "Rocci claims Morrish Medal". AFL Draft Central. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  12. Alvaro, Michael (28 August 2019). "Caught the Eye: NAB League Boys – Wildcard Round". AFL Draft Central. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  13. West, Luke (1 August 2019). "NAB LEAGUE - Pioneer duo keen to grasp chance at AFL Draft Combine". Bendigo Advertiser. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  14. Twomey, Callum (3 October 2019). "Draft Combine results: Speedy mid boosts stocks with scorching time". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  15. Twomey, Callum (25 November 2019). "Cal Twomey's 2019 Phantom Draft: Top 30, your club's whispers". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  16. Doerre, Chris (27 November 2019). "Every club, every pick: ESPN's full AFL phantom draft". ESPN. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  17. "2019 Draft Central Phantom Draft". AFL Draft Central. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  18. "Dow lands at Tigerland". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  19. Kalac, Grace (27 February 2020). "Tigers name squad for Marsh 1". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  20. Black, Sarah (27 February 2020). "Draft crop assessed ahead of Marsh Series". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. AFL Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  21. "Dimma's Dow delight". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  22. Curley, Adam (8 March 2020). "Toby turns it on as Giants, Tigers turn up the heat". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  23. Beveridge, Riley (13 March 2020). "Game off: Tiger stars to miss valuable practice match". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  24. "AFL to go ahead with round one of men's 2020 season amid coronavirus pandemic". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  25. Barrett, Damien (10 March 2019). "Why coronavirus could force the AFL to play games without fans". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  26. Barrett, Damien (13 March 2020). "Coronavirus crisis: AFL makes call on round one". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  27. Barrett, Damien (22 March 2020). "'Most serious threat in 100 years': AFL postpones season". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  28. "AFL suspends season in response to coronavirus, with AFLW season cancelled — but NRL plays on for now". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  29. Cleary, Mitch (10 June 2020). "Will your club play a scratch match this weekend?". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  30. "Scratch match player summary". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  31. "Scratch match player summary v Hawks". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  32. "Scratch match player summary v Demons". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  33. Jake Niall, Peter Ryan and Toby Crockford (15 July 2020). "AFL to move all Victorian clubs to Queensland to save season". The Age. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  34. Kalac, Grace (23 July 2020). "Naish recalled for GWS clash". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  35. Kalac, Grace (16 August 2020). "Tigers make three changes for Suns clash". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  36. "Houli back for Dreamtime in Darwin". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  37. Rebecca Williams Matt Turner, Jon Ralph and Reece Homfray (26 August 2020). "Round 14 teams: Hawthorn captain Ben Stratton managed, Joe Daniher to make Bombers comeback". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  38. Greenberg, Tony (26 August 2020). "Dow to debut". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  39. "Coronavirus crisis and footy: The state of play". AFL Media. Telstra Media. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  40. David Mark and James Coventry (14 March 2020). "AFL looking at cramming matches in case coronavirus outbreak postpones 2020 season". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  41. Greenberg, Tony (29 August 2020). "Impressive Dow debut". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  42. "Playing Statistics". AFL Tables. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  43. Beveridge, Riley (10 September 2020). "TEAMS: Tiger trio dumped, JJ makes way, still no Stanley". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  44. "Scrimmage match v Collingwood player summary". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  45. "Scratch match v Brisbane player summary". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  46. "Scratch match v Geelong player summary". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  47. Spiteri, Tate (26 October 2020). "Lambert claims peer voted Francis Bourke Award". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  48. Alvaro, Michael (5 December 2019). "2019 AFL Draft club review: Richmond Tigers". Draft Central. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  49. Slevison, Andrew (27 August 2020). "WHAT RICHMOND FANS CAN EXPECT FROM DEBUTANT DOW". 1116SEN. Crocmedia. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
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