Joel Thompson (rugby league) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Joel Thompson

Personal information
Born	(1988-08-24) 24 August 1988 (age 36) Ivanhoe, New South Wales, Australia
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
Weight	16 st 3 lb (103 kg)
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2008–13 Canberra Raiders 89 28 0 0 112 2014–17 St. George Illawarra 86 19 0 0 76 2018–20 Manly Sea Eagles 60 16 0 0 64 2021 St Helens 19 1 0 0 4 Total 254 64 0 0 256 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2009 Queensland Residents 1 0 0 0 0 2010–20 Indigenous All Stars 7 0 0 0 0 2011–15 Country Origin 2 0 0 0 0
As of 5 January 2024

Joel Thompson (born 24 August 1988) is a retired Australian professional rugby league player. He played as a second-row forward for several top teams. These include St Helens in the Super League, and the Canberra Raiders, St George Illawarra Dragons, and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL). Joel also represented the Indigenous All Stars and the NSW Country Origin team. Earlier in his career, he also played as a centre.

About Joel Thompson

Joel Thompson was born in Ivanhoe, New South Wales, Australia. He has both Indigenous Australian and English family roots.

Joel started playing junior rugby league for the Ivanhoe Roosters. He also played for the Forbes Magpies. He went to Red Bend Catholic College before joining the Canberra Raiders. In 2006, he played for the Australian Schoolboys team. The next year, in 2007, he played for the Junior Kangaroos.

Joel Thompson's Playing Career

Starting in the NRL: 2008-2009

In the 2008 NRL season, Joel played for the Canberra Raiders' NYC team. He was even named in the 2008 NYC Team of the Year as a second-row player. Joel made his first ever NRL game for Canberra in Round 26 of the 2008 season. He played against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. This was his only NRL game that year.

In 2009, Joel had a short break from the team. He returned later in the season, playing in Round 18 against the Newcastle Knights. In Round 22, he scored his first NRL try against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Joel played 9 matches and scored 2 tries for the Raiders in the 2009 NRL season.

Becoming an All Star: 2010-2013

On 13 February 2010, Joel was chosen for the very first Indigenous All Stars team. He played against the NRL All Stars. He played 15 matches and scored 10 tries for Canberra in the 2010 NRL season. His season ended early in Round 17 due to a groin injury. In September 2010, Joel signed a new contract with Canberra until the end of the 2013 NRL season.

Joel continued to play for the Indigenous All Stars team in 2011, 2012, and 2013. On 6 May 2011, he was also selected for the NSW Country Origin team. He played at centre and helped his team win. In the 2011 NRL season, he played 21 matches and scored 6 tries.

Thompson playing for Canberra in 2012

In 2012, Joel played 25 matches and scored 7 tries for Canberra. In 2013, he played 18 matches and scored 8 tries. On 18 April 2013, it was announced that Joel would join the St. George Illawarra Dragons starting in 2014.

Time with the Dragons: 2014-2017

In February 2014, Joel was part of the St George Illawarra Dragons' first Auckland Nines team. He made his club debut for the Dragons in Round 1 of the 2014 NRL season. In Round 13, Joel played his 100th NRL career match. In Round 21, he scored his first try for the Dragons. He played 23 matches and scored 3 tries in his first year with the team.

Thompson playing for Country in the 2015 City vs Country Origin

In 2015, Joel was again named in the Dragons' 2015 NRL Auckland Nines squad. He also played for NSW Country Origin again, helping them win. He finished the 2015 NRL season playing 19 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Dragons. He was also selected for the Indigenous All Stars team for 2016.

On 13 February 2016, Joel played for the Indigenous All Stars against the World All Stars. In August 2016, Joel extended his contract with the Dragons. In Round 25, he played his 150th NRL career match. He played 20 matches and scored 3 tries in the 2016 NRL season.

In 2017, Joel played for the Indigenous All Stars again, helping them win. In Round 1 against the Penrith Panthers, Joel scored his first ever hat-trick of tries! He played 24 matches and scored 9 tries for the Dragons that season. In December 2017, Joel left the Dragons to sign a two-year deal with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Joining the Sea Eagles: 2018-2020

In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL season, Joel made his debut for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He scored his first try for Manly in a match against the Wests Tigers. He also scored two tries in a game against the Brisbane Broncos. By the end of the 2018 NRL season, Joel had played 24 games and scored 7 tries.

In the 2019 NRL season, Joel played 22 matches for Manly. The team finished 6th and made it to the finals. However, Joel missed the finals because he broke his arm in Round 23.

In October 2019, Joel had an accident where he fell and hit his head. He was taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. He later shared a photo from the hospital, saying he had learned a big lesson.

In October 2020, it was announced that Joel would join St Helens in England for the 2021 season.

Playing in England and Retirement: 2021

In Round 1 of the 2021 Super League season, Joel made his debut for St. Helens. They won their match against Salford.

On 22 June 2021, Joel announced that he would retire from rugby league at the end of the 2021 Super League season.

On 17 July, he played for St. Helens in their 26-12 victory in the 2021 Challenge Cup Final against Castleford. Joel did not play in the 2021 Super League Grand Final where St. Helens won against Catalans Dragons.