"Joel Thompson has sustained an ankle injury which requires surgery. Unfortunately, he will miss the remainder of the season."
These last 3 years have not been premiership seasons but I'm pleased for him that he got to play for the mighty Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
He's not ever held back and has done his level best every week for the proud Sea Eagle jersey.
On field he's provided a tough, experienced presence for a squad that has a lot of young blokes.
Equally importantly, or actually probably far more importantly, he has been prepared to stand up and give others the benefit of hard lessons he has learned.
He stood up publicly for DCE when Watmough was airing his dirty laundry.
And he stood up to explain patiently why indigenous issues are very much issues for today, not just the past.
He's been a strong advocate for mental health awareness.
He hasn't come from a silver spoon background, in fact quite the opposite.
And among all the outstanding and international stars of the game that have graced Brookie and done this club proud, I'm equally proud that we had this bloke here, playing for Manly and being a Manly man.
Thanks Joel.
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