When former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide forward Lindsay Thomas retired from the AFL in 2018, he was always keen to give back to the industry.

But after 11 years in the AFL system, he needed a break, and finding the right opportunity, as well as the right timing would be key to him returning.

Now, six years after hanging up his playing boots, Thomas is back in the fold as Head Coach of Adelaide’s Indigenous Pathways program.

Speaking to AFC Media, Thomas said the idea of joining the Crows’ nest as part of their Indigenous academies came about last year, before he officially signed on in 2025.

“I started having conversations with Jeremy Johncock who I had grown up with and had connections with from back in Port Lincoln,” Thomas said.

“The conversations escalated with Shane Edwards reaching out, and I spent a lot of time with him in our younger years before we both headed away to Melbourne.

“They both just asked if I was interested in potentially joining the Club in a role working within the Academy program.

“I jumped at the opportunity. After being away, the passion and the itchiness came back, then this came up, which I’m so thankful for.”

“I jumped at the opportunity. After being away, the passion and the itchiness came back

As part of his role, Thomas helps youngsters within the academy feel comfortable and helps them understand more about being involved in an elite environment.

After 212 AFL games (205 with North Melbourne and seven for Port Adelaide), Thomas also shares his experiences and learnings from his journey.

“A lot of what I do is just making sure that the young kids have that support and sounding board from a cultural aspect, where they can come to me and ask for any advice,” Thomas said.

“It’s also about the families as well, making sure they feel supported and they understand their young kids are being looked after.

“Programs like this are an amazing opportunity, I wish they were around when I was coming through. It’s great to get them around a professional environment.”

“It gives them an opportunity to rub shoulders with AFL players and AFLW players, get access to coaches and staff and it just helps make them way more comfortable, knowing they have support around them.”

Although Thomas spent the past six years away from an AFL environment, he was still involved in footy, lining up with Portland in the Adelaide Footy League, before taking on a coaching role at Great Southern Football League side, Yankalilla.

He later joined Adelaide Footy League club North Haven, where he has been for the past three years.

It’s Thomas’ interest in coaching that has led to him spending time with the Crows’ SANFL coaching cohort this year, learning off senior mentor Matt Wright.

“There was an opportunity to support Matt Wright, who I played a lot of junior footy against and with before we were drafted,” Thomas said.

“I’m really looking forward to doing more of that as well. I think it will help me develop into hopefully being a coach and help me develop my skills.

“My passion is with helping young people into hopefully playing AFL and just being part of their journey is what fills my cup up.”

Adelaide’s SANFL side is preparing to face last year’s grand finalists Norwood in Port Lincoln this Sunday afternoon.

Thomas still holds strong ties with the community on the Eyre Peninsula, having begun his junior footy career with Port Lincoln’s Mallee Park. 

“It’s amazing to have the SANFL playing in these rural communities, it’s really positive and lifts up small community towns,” Thomas said.

“Port Lincoln is a big football community and we absolutely love our footy down there, so for the kids to see some of the AFL-listed players run around and some quality opposition is great.

“I absolutely loved growing up in Port Lincoln and I  was very fortunate because we had the likes of Byron Pickett, Peter Burgoyne, Shaun Burgoyne, Graham Johncock, Daniel Wells, all these guys were from our footy club.

“Guys like me and Eddie Betts who I grew up with in Port Lincoln, had these amazing role models who we used to watch on TV and they would come back to our home club and we wanted to aspire to be like them.”

The 2025 Crows Academies NGA Indigenous Squad players are:

Shaquan Davey (Central District)


Justin Miller (Central Dist)


Malachi Varcoe (Glenelg)

Will Eckberg (Sturt)

Anthony Long (West Adelaide)

Jermaine Miller (Central District)

Luca Marrone (Central District)

Toni Marrone (Central District)

Jackson Saunders (Glenelg)

Isaac Peris (North Adelaide)

Levi Dudley (Central District)

Keanu Wittwer (Central District)

Chace Bowman (North Adelaide) 

Xaviah Reid (North Adelaide)

Kurtley Von Senden (North Adelaide)

Cale Skipworth (North Adelaide)