Premiership-winning Essendon coach, Mark “Bomber” Thompson has been charged with drug trafficking and possession.
The five-time premiership player was caught with 135 grams of MDMA, 33.1 grams of methyl amphetamine, an LSD tab, 5.6 grams of ephedrine and multiple Xanax tablets, which were locked in a room alongside his Geelong memorabilia.
It is predicted that the illicit drugs had a street value of more than $50,000.
Police raided Thompson’s Port Melbourne home in January, where they seized the drugs.
He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday and was granted bail under the strict instructions to report to police three times a week.
He also paid a $20,000 surety.
Mark Thompson faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court today.
Find out the details in Footy Feed 👇 pic.twitter.com/xWaFGA8kP3
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) May 1, 2018
Thompson had previous involvement in one of biggest scandals of the VFL-AFL’s history, that saw 34 current and past players suspended for the 2016 season. Reports say that the scandal left him “bitter and twisted”.
Colleagues and players allegedly reached out to Thompson at the beginning of this saga, with concern and disbelief at the AFL greats downfall.
Former teammate, Matthew Lloyd spoke on behalf of The Essendon Football Club and the wider football community, expressing his sadness on the situation.
“He was my first ever captain and one of the most respected people I have ever been involved (with) in football … so sad to see what has become of Mark of late,” he said on Footy Classified.
More uncertainty from friends was shown when former Geelong great, Cameron Mooney told Macquarie Sports Radio of his many attempts to reach out to Thompson, getting nothing in return.
“His life’s just gone in a bad direction. How he got there I don’t know and how deep he’s in I don’t know. But all his friends and family that love him and have had so much to do with him — all of a sudden, he was isolated from everybody,” Mooney said.
Thompson has been isolating himself not only from the media, but his friends and family. He was asked to surrender his passport, as police have questioned his will to run.
Thompson made the comment “I’ve got nothing to say” before running away from the media outside of court.
The dual premiership flag winner is set to return to court in late May.
