AFL great Mark 'Bomber' Thompson surrenders passport, released on bail
Former AFL coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson should not be released on bail on serious drug charges because he is a flight risk due to his access to sizable amounts of money and a yacht, a court has heard.
The premiership coach, 54, appeared worn in the dock on Tuesday evening as Melbourne Magistrates Court heard allegations against him include trafficking ecstasy and ice.
The court heard a raid on Mr Thompson's Port Melbourne apartment in January uncovered amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD, prescription medication and deal bags.
Fingerprints and DNA samples came back linking Mr Thompson to some of the drug samples, the court heard.
The revelation comes amid claims ice pipes and ecstasy pills were allegedly discovered in his bedroom during a police raid on his home earlier this year.
Police confirmed the charges related to a search warrant that was executed at a Port Melbourne address on January 5.
Mr Thompson's former wife Annette and daughter arrived part-way through the bail application, which went for more than an hour. His lawyer, David Hallowes, used his client's family ties to argue that bail be granted.
Magistrate Leonard Brear released Mr Thompson on the conditions he report to police three times a week, not contact co-accused or witnesses, reside at his Port Melbourne home and not attend any international airports.
Mr Thompson, wearing a blue knitted jumper and light coloured pants, must pay a $20,000 surety, report to South Melbourne police station three times a week, surrender his passport, and not consume any drugs of dependence.
He will be able to travel interstate "for football interests", the court heard, after Mr Hallowes argued that his client has business interests across Australia.
Police informant Detective Senior Constable Naomi Bourke had earlier labeled the former coach a flight risk due to his access to sizable amounts of money and a yacht.
Mr Thompson's former housemate Thomas Windsor has previously been charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, after raids in Geelong and Port Melbourne.
Mr Thompson led Geelong to premierships in 2007 and 2009 but left the Cats in 2010 to join Essendon, the club he had once captained, as a senior assistant to James Hird.
He became embroiled in the supplements saga that led to 34 past and present Essendon players being suspended for the 2016 season.
Mr Thompson was fined $30,000 for his role in the scandal, one that had seen him replace a suspended Hird as coach in 2014 but later lose any interest in the sport.
He revealed last year the saga had made him "bitter and twisted" and contributed to the breakdown of his marriage.
More to come.