Saints sign Manly's Thompson

St.Helens R.F.C. have confirmed the signing of former Manly star Joel Thompson on a two-year deal from 2021.

The Sea Eagles recently granted Thompson a release from the final year of his Manly deal next season to take up a contract with Saints next season.

With the news that Zeb Taia is moving on from the Saints after the completion of the current season, Thompson, 32, will add valuable experience to their second row.

Thompson, nicknamed ‘Goat’, has vast experience in the NRL, making his debut in 2008 and going on to play 60 times for the Manly club, bringing his career tally to 234, scoring 62 tries.

He made his debut with Canberra in 2008, before stints with the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2014 and now the Sea Eagles having signed back in 2018.

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— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) October 21, 2020

Earlier this year he captained the Indigenous All Stars in his seventh appearance for the side whilst he is also an influential figure off-the-field, a strong advocate for both Indigenous voices and mental health, founding The Mindset project in 2012 and being awarded the Ken Stephen Medal in 2016 for his community work.

On signing for the Saints, Thompson said: “I first want to pay thanks to everyone at Manly for all they have done for me and I wish them well in the future.

“To join a powerhouse of a club with the proud history of St Helens is something I am very excited about. I am looking forward to the challenge of earning the respect of my new club and fans.

“It is a great opportunity for me as well as my wife and two daughters to come over to the other side of the world. I remember playing in the World Club Series for the Dragons against Warrington in 2015. We beat them and I loved the atmosphere and I thought I want to experience more of that in the Super League and there is no better Club to do that at than St.Helens.??

Head Coach Kristian Woolf said: “Joel is a player I have been familiar with in the NRL for a long time. He has had a strong career at a number of clubs in the NRL and he has shown what a tough competitor he is.

“Joel is a physical defensive player, but has speed and a skill set which will suit the game over here in Super League and he is highly respected.

“His community work as an RLPA Board member is fantastic and all the things we hear and see of him is exactly what we want at the Saints.??