If his current, close to career-best form continues, Scott Thompson is tipped to play on in 2019 according to Brad Scott.

The veteran defender had a game-high 31 possessions and 9 marks in his 215th game, as North defeated Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.

“Robbie Tarrant and Scotty Thompson are a huge reason why Majak’s able to play the role that he plays and Scotty Thompson is a massive reason why Sam Durdin and Ben McKay are ready-made AFL key defenders,” Scott said.

“They’ll get their opportunity at some point. But the opportunity to have the Tarrant-Thompson veterans there who can educate the young players is just enormous for us.

“And it helps that he’s playing well.”

The 32-year-old is ranked 2nd in the league for intercept marks and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Scott said Thompson’s reliability and experience allowed Majak Daw to go forward on Sunday, when Cam Zurhaar injured his ankle.
“… when the game dictates a need for change, it’s nice to know that we can do it,” he said.

“Probably the challenge for us this year is to settle him [Daw] down.”

Daw booted two goals against the Suns and also played in the ruck.

“We wanted to issue the challenge to him at the start of the year to nail down a key defensive post and we were always going to give him the opportunity to do that. And he’s done it,” Scott added.

“So the risk is that we know he can play in the ruck, we know he can play forward — we just don’t want to get him to a point where he’s being thrown all over the place and he can’t settle in one position.