As a junior, he played for the Waverley Blues Junior Football Club, before being selected to play for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup.
AFL careeredit
He made his debut with Carlton in Round 10, 2002, against Fremantle after being elevated from the rookie list that year.
Thornton was an important part of the Carlton backline since his debut in 2002. The retirements of Stephen Silvagni, Michael Sexton and Ang Christou over a two-year period saw a major gap left in the Carlton defence, and the young Thornton quickly found himself forced to try to fill that hole. Over the next few years, constantly defending against top forwards with more experience, Thornton developed into an important and reliable defender for the club.
With the development of Carlton's backline through the mid-2000s, Thornton's role became more variable. He still played full-back when required, with reasonable capability against both leading and tall marking forwards, but Carlton benefitted significantly when he was able to push up the ground and direct play from centre half-back. He played every game in 2006, and played his 100th game in 2007, becoming the ninth-youngest Carlton player to achieve the milestone.
Hawthorn has been particularly keen to acquire Thonton's services. They expressed interest in trading for the out-of-contract Thornton for the 2007 season, and Thornton similarly named Hawthorn as his preferred destination for 2007. Carlton refused to agree to a trade, stating that Thornton was a required player at the club. After no trade was made, Thornton re-signed with Carlton on 14 October 2006 for a three-year deal. Hawthorn again expressed an interest in trading for Thornton for the 2008 season, but Carlton again refused.
In 2010, the increasing strength of Carlton's backline saw Thornton start to struggle for selection for the first time in his career. He played twelve matches for the year, and was occasionally moved into the forward-line. In 2011, he returned to Carlton's best 22, playing more often in the forward-line, and kicked thirteen goals for the season.[1]
On 7 September 2012, Thornton left the Blues in hopes of trying his luck at another side in 2013. He was picked up by Greater Western Sydney with the first selection in the 2013 Pre-Season Draft, but played only one game for the Giants and was delisted on 4 September 2013.[2]
^Luke d'Anello (11 November 2013). "Former AFL player Bret Thornton has signed with Deer Park". Brimbank Leader. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
External linksedit
Bret Thornton's profile on the official website of the Greater Western Sydney Giants
Bret Thornton's playing statistics from AFL Tables
Blueseam profile
January 01, 1970
bret, thornton, born, november, 1983, former, professional, australian, rules, footballer, played, carlton, football, club, greater, western, sydney, giants, australian, football, league, personal, informationdate, birth, 1983, november, 1983, original, team, . Bret Thornton born 15 November 1983 is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club and Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League AFL Bret ThorntonPersonal informationDate of birth 1983 11 15 15 November 1983 age 40 Original team s Waverley Blues Vic Oakleigh ChargersDraftNo 11 2002 rookie draftHeight192 cm 6 ft 4 in Weight94 kg 207 lb Position s DefenderPlaying careerYearsClubGames Goals 2002 2012Carlton188 30 2013Greater Western Sydney00 1 0 0 Total189 30 Sources AFL Tables AustralianFootball com Contents 1 Early life and junior career 2 AFL career 3 References 4 External linksEarly life and junior career editThornton grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Waverley and attended Mount Waverley Secondary College As a junior he played for the Waverley Blues Junior Football Club before being selected to play for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup AFL career editHe made his debut with Carlton in Round 10 2002 against Fremantle after being elevated from the rookie list that year Thornton was an important part of the Carlton backline since his debut in 2002 The retirements of Stephen Silvagni Michael Sexton and Ang Christou over a two year period saw a major gap left in the Carlton defence and the young Thornton quickly found himself forced to try to fill that hole Over the next few years constantly defending against top forwards with more experience Thornton developed into an important and reliable defender for the club With the development of Carlton s backline through the mid 2000s Thornton s role became more variable He still played full back when required with reasonable capability against both leading and tall marking forwards but Carlton benefitted significantly when he was able to push up the ground and direct play from centre half back He played every game in 2006 and played his 100th game in 2007 becoming the ninth youngest Carlton player to achieve the milestone Hawthorn has been particularly keen to acquire Thonton s services They expressed interest in trading for the out of contract Thornton for the 2007 season and Thornton similarly named Hawthorn as his preferred destination for 2007 Carlton refused to agree to a trade stating that Thornton was a required player at the club After no trade was made Thornton re signed with Carlton on 14 October 2006 for a three year deal Hawthorn again expressed an interest in trading for Thornton for the 2008 season but Carlton again refused In 2010 the increasing strength of Carlton s backline saw Thornton start to struggle for selection for the first time in his career He played twelve matches for the year and was occasionally moved into the forward line In 2011 he returned to Carlton s best 22 playing more often in the forward line and kicked thirteen goals for the season 1 On 7 September 2012 Thornton left the Blues in hopes of trying his luck at another side in 2013 He was picked up by Greater Western Sydney with the first selection in the 2013 Pre Season Draft but played only one game for the Giants and was delisted on 4 September 2013 2 Thornton currently plays for Deer Park in the Western Region Football League 3 References edit Bret Thornton Statistics AFL Tables Retrieved 28 January 2012 O hAilpin Thornton among five Giants delisted Luke d Anello 11 November 2013 Former AFL player Bret Thornton has signed with Deer Park Brimbank Leader Retrieved 24 March 2014 External links editBret Thornton s profile on the official website of the Greater Western Sydney Giants Bret Thornton s playing statistics from AFL Tables Blueseam profile Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bret Thornton amp oldid 1221907491, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
