'Every time I run out, I know it’s getting closer': Thompson to hang up the boots

Brisbane Tigers fullback Corey Thompson will officially hang up the boots at the end of the 2023 season.

The former NRL star called time on his professional career at the end of 2022, but was coaxed back to the Hostplus Cup level by the Brisbane Tigers for one last run around this year.

And, while some at the club were hopeful he might kick on into 2024, Thompson – an Easts Mt Gravatt Eagles junior who started his Cup career with the Tigers in 2012 – knows his time as a player has drawn to a close.

“This was always going to my last year,” Thompson said.

“When I retired professionally, I wasn’t going to play anymore. (The Tigers) reached out and asked if I would be keen to come back.

“This is the club that sent me to do my first NRL pre-season. It was good to come back and show the young boys that they can make it from this club, but it was always going to be my last year.

“I think (Cup coach Matt Church) tried to string it along a bit longer, but it was always going to be my last year.

“The motivation to prepare each week and go to training three times a week, it’s starting to get a bit too hard.”

Thompson played at the Tigers throughout the 2012 and 2013 seasons before he earned an NRL contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs partway through 2013.

Across his NRL career, the Brisbane product played with the Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and Gold Coast Titans, and also spent time in the UK with the Widnes Vikings.

His retirement last year was motivated by ongoing knee pain, which is something he has been able to manage a lot better at the semi-professional level, sometimes training just once a week.

But now the 33-year-old believes it is “unfair” to do so, especially with so much young talent coming through at the Tigers. He is also questioning how much longer his knee will be able to keep going.

Despite his decision to finish up at the end of the Tigers’ season, Thompson has been in strong form all year, helping guide the club towards their third-place finish.

The Tigers will kickstart their finals campaign this Saturday when they take on Souths Logan Magpies in a qualifying final at Logan Sports Metro Complex.

Both teams are guaranteed a second chance at finals but Thompson knows the end is getting nearer – he just hopes his career will come to a close at Kayo Stadium on grand final day next month.

“I think I can just play for fun every game,” Thompson said.

“Every game I tick off will be the last semi-professional. Every time I run out with the boys, I know it’s getting closer.

“I enjoy it. I was lucky I got to retire on my own terms last year and now coming back, I get to play with the younger boys and hopefully see them play first grade one day.

“(A premiership) would be massive. I haven’t won a premiership for ages.

“This club invests so much into the team. We’re heading in the right direction but we have this week to worry about and we’ll go week to week after that.”

Thompson will still be around plenty in the future however, as he continues to build upon his coaching career.

Currently working as a coach in the Keebra Park State High School rugby league program, Thompson will next year join Church as an assistant for the Cup side, hoping to work with the backs or as an attacking coach.

Church said he asked Thompson 'the question' about his future after the 2022 season, but the versatile back was adamant he wanted to stay on for 2023 and make a difference.

Despite some challenges keeping niggling injuries at bay, Thompson is ending the season playing some of his best football for the Tigers.

"A few weeks ago we made a decision to push him back to fullback, and he has probably been our best player in that period," Church said.

"It's a nice story for Corey and for the club to bookend his career.

"it's a really nice story for us too and we're hoping to send Corey out a winner. We know that not everyone gets that opportunity, but I feel like Corey is someone that deserves a fairytale finish."