A key position player that can successfully pinch at both ends of the ground can be a rare find in the AFL, but Guy McKenna may have found his man in Rory Thompson.

“I see him getting a few gigs up front if the forwards don’t fire or if he has been getting the run-around in defence.

“It’ll be a bit of both. As a growing coach myself, you’re inclined to back these young fellows in,” McKenna told the Gold Coast Bulletin. 

In 2013, Thompson emerged from the wilderness to take the competition by storm, playing 21 of the GC SUNS’ 22 matches after tallying just 13 senior appearances in his first two seasons on the Gold Coast.  

At Centre Half Back, the 199cm Gold Coaster would develop into the most versatile tall player at Metricon Stadium.

Rising to become the club’s best key defender, in the absence of injured stoppers Nathan Bock and Matthew Warnock, Thompson quickly became one of the GC SUNS most important players alongside star captain Gary Ablett.

He would rank second in the AFL behind Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead, for total one-percenters in the League (183). 

But as the competition gears for the highly-anticipated 2014 Season, McKenna has suggest the 2013 Victor Sports Most Improved Player and HostPLUS Most Professional Player may see more time in the thick of the offense, with the coaching staff floating the possibility of exploiting Thompson in front of the goalposts. 

“Sometimes the lesson, if they are getting bashed up and turned inside out, is to leave them there and try coach them through that scenario. 

“But there comes a point when, if they’re not getting the ball, instead of digging an even bigger hold, you go “let’s stick him up forward.”

Although he still sees himself as a prominent key defender, Thompson says he has no quarrels being used in attack. 

“If that’s what I have to do I wouldn’t mind at all, but I prefer to settle in the one spot in defence, Thompson said.

“Everyone likes to kick a goal, I guess, and I’ll be happy to go forward if they want to mix things up a bit. 

“But I’d prefer to settle down in the one spot.”