The Hyundai A-League Grand Final against Sydney FC on Sunday could well be Archie Thompson’s final game for Melbourne Victory, but the veteran forward insists it won’t be his last appearance in the league.
The 36-year-old forward is preparing for a shot at winning a third championship in navy blue and white when the premiers host fierce rivals the Sky Blues at AAMI Park this weekend.
Having been downgraded from the long-term domestic marquee player to a regular member of the squad at the end of last season, Thompson will be out of contract in the coming weeks.
Broxham, Milligan back Archie to play on
The 54-cap Australia international, who scored in Victory’s 3-0 semi-final win over Melbourne City at Etihad Stadium last Friday night, is still hoping to be offered a new deal by the club’s hierarchy.
“Everyone knows that I want to play on,” he said.
“Whether it be here, it’s still yet to be decided.
“I spoke to Musky [head coach Kevin Muscat] four months ago and I said, ‘Where does my future lie?’ and he said, ‘It’s a month-by-month, week-by-week thing’.
“It’s almost getting (to the) time where the club has to make a decision.
“I think I’ve done well this year with the limited time that I’ve had. I’ve scored 11 goals. When I’ve started matches I’ve performed and done a job. I’m 36 years old and still running rings around 19-year-olds, 20-year-olds.
“Whether it be here – I’d love it to be here of course but Benny’s taken all the money in the cap … so I might be playing for peanuts if I stay here,” he added with a smile, referring to the new deal signed by star winger Fahid Ben Khalfallah last month.
“I feel personally I don’t warrant a big drop in pay because I’m still performing. Whether it be here or somewhere else, we’ll just wait and see.”
While Thompson is, for obvious reasons, determined to help Victory win the Grand Final, having another winners’ medal hanging around his neck come Sunday night won’t encourage him to bow out on a high.
“I want to win something with this club because it could potentially be my last game [for Victory],” he said.
“I still feel good and I still want to contribute. Until that day that I feel like I can’t do that anymore, whether it be in a grand final or in a training session in the next pre-season … that’ll be my decision.”
Determined to play on in 2015-16 but with his Victory future seemingly in considerable doubt due to salary cap constraints, the experienced Thompson would surely be an attractive prospect to A-League clubs seeking to close the gap on the competition’s heavyweights.
A reunion with former Victory boss Ernie Merrick at Wellington Phoenix has been mooted in some quarters.
But as a long-term Victorian resident with a young family, a move across town to Melbourne City could be a convenient – if controversial – solution.
Asked directly if he would consider joining John van ‘t Schip’s side, Thompson said: “I’m open to anything. I want to keep playing football.
“I’m still performing. I still feel good, I still feel like I’ve got a lot to contribute to any team, any club.
“But my main focus is obviously doing a number on Sydney on Sunday. If this is going to be my last game with Melbourne Victory, which I don’t want it to be, I want to leave on winning terms.”
