""From the moment he came into the junior system at Central Districts, he always had a terrific attitude,"" Laird said. ""It’s a credit to a young man who has worked so hard to prove many people wrong.""
Thomas was identified by the Adelaide Crows as a small forward who had a strong work ethic and was placed on their rookie list in 2002. He spent one season there before he returned to the SANFL club.
Laird said Thomas had been on the wrong end of constant criticism that had been thrown his way over the past three seasons.
""He kept getting knocked but would just get back up and polish the areas they were critical of. Fortunately he has now got his reward by being picked up by the Bombers,"" Laird said.
Having coached Thomas for four seasons at Central Districts, two at league level and two in the reserves, Laird is the first to appreciate the hard work the new Bomber recruit has undertaken.
""Paul has worked really hard from the moment he got into the senior squad here and I guess his willingness to learn is his biggest asset,"" Laird admitted.
""He is an extremely dedicated person, that would be the one thing that sticks in my mind about him – the fact he gets the most out of himself.
Thomas has worked hard on his strength and skills since joining senior ranks at Central Districts, and it is this improvement that led to him winning the prestigious Magarey Medal for the best and fairest player in the SANFL last season.
""He was predominantly a tight checking player but last season he developed that by learning how to run off and create opportunities. The fact that he carried the ball really attracted a lot of attention,"" said Laird.
It is for this reason that his former coach thinks Thomas, a quiet but popular young player, is someone who can step up to the plate and deliver at senior level for the Bombers in 2005.
