Thompson comeback offers hope for Roos

Sportal ©

North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley has praised the comeback of key forward Nathan Thompson describing his successful return as the one positive to emerge from the Kangaroos' disappointing first round loss to Essendon on Easter Monday.

Thompson, who missed all of last season after injuring his knee during the pre-season, booted four goals in his first game since 2006 but could not prevent the Kangaroos from suffering a 55-point loss to the revitalised Bombers.

The former Hawthorn spearhead - who was the Hawks' leading goalkicker in 2003 and the Kangaroos' leading goalkicker in 2005 and 2006, booted three early goals and was instrumental in his side racing to a 27-point lead early in the second term before being overrun.

Laidley said after the game he was thrilled with the quality of Thompson's performance after such a long absence.

"I thought his work rate was terrific the whole game and just the way he attacked the footy was first class."

Thompson, a veteran of 165 games, said it was great to again experience the excitement of playing in the AFL and particularly in front of such a big crowd first-up with more than 48,000 packing Telstra Dome for the Easter Monday clash.

"I had been good all week, I didn't feel any nerves until this morning and once I went out onto the ground for the warm-up I felt what I had been missing out on for the past year and it felt good."

Thompson said his re-constructed knee stood up well to its first major test.

"I was excited to get through and the knee held up well and to touch the ball a couple of times was a big positive."

However it wasn't all smooth sailing for Thompson, who accidentally crashed into teammate Corey Jones in the opening minutes forcing the Kangaroos' goalsneak to miss the rest of the match with concussion.

"Unfortunately I took out Corey Jones in the first 20 seconds and that didn't help us but with all of us up and running there will be some good options down there in attack for us this season."

Laidley admitted the Roos did not make the most of their early dominance against Essendon on Monday before being steamrolled in the second half.

"We hit the post five times for the day during that period (of early dominance) and then they got a goal from a free-kick and another out of a stoppage and it evened up quickly and then in the third quarter they just outplayed us completely."