2005
Games: 8
Goals: 1
Kicks: 39
Handballs: 42
Marks: 18
Fan’s ranking: 4.81 / 10
""Struggled for game time, but one of the few who performed week in week out for Bendigo during their finals campaign. Would like to see him given a go to establish himself as our permanent small defender,"" Alan Fairbairn.
""Not a bad first year for Thomas, without being overly impressive. Didn't get great game time when he did come on the ground, but when he was on he certainly showed a little bit of toughness in his attack on the ball, and I can see a lot of a younger Mark Johnson in the way he plays. I will be bitterly disappointed if he was to be de-listed by the club as I feel that there is a place for him in the team to free up the likes of Mark McVeigh into the midfield,"" Robert Edgerton.
""Surprised early in the pre-season hit outs and not sure why he didn't get more opportunities. Seems hard at it and probably not going to be beaten one on one too often. Hope he stays and gets a run,"" Stuart Nixon.
""Paul Thomas reminds me of Ted Richards. He is a great player but does not get the respect he deserves. He is a courageous kid with plenty of guts. Give this kid a couple more years to mature he will be fantastic,"" Robin G.
""Paul showed a lot of promise. I am wondering why he wasn't used in the midfield? He does have the build to be a handy back pocket player though. I hope he is given a chance to learn a position & not thrown into various roles & made to play all over the place like some players he looks like he has the goods, give him a chance to prove it,"" Helen Scully.
""Should be given a better chance to play AFL. It looked like he didn't mature or adapt quick enough to the pace of the higher standard game. To win a Magarey he must have something. Would be a better bet than Murphy who only has one year left,"" Gary Ryan.
""Am a bit puzzled by the fact that Essendon were thinking of de-listing him at the end of his first year of football. Personally I thought Thomas did as much as he could in the 8 games that he played, fitting in nicely to a half - back role. Hopefully the club displays faith in the ability that he showed, because he does have the potential to cement a senior role in 2006,"" Samuel Wharton.
""Paul really deserved more opportunities this year. Just seems too good for SANFL and VFL leagues. Played out of position this year. Since he won the 2004 Magarey medal as a midfielder, then surely he needs more game time in the midfield. Aggressive and has footy smarts, a Mark Johnson clone. Has the potential to be a top player for Essendon, just needs more opportunities. Paul Thomas will be a future champion at Essendon,"" Brian Knight.
