Bulldogs hard man Luke Thompson rushes home to England ‘in an emotional state’ to deal with a mystery family issue as Canterbury boss Phil Gould admits he’s having a ‘difficult time’
- Thompson flew back to England on Friday to deal with a personal matter
- It comes as the prop continues to battle concussion symptoms
- The Bulldogs are supporting him through what has been a tough couple of years
Star Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson has returned to home to England for an indefinite period to deal with a personal matter, with the club saying ‘some things in life are more important than football’.
He was recruited to the club in 2020 from English powerhouse St Helens, fresh off a Super League grand final win for his hometown club on a mammoth $800,000-a-year deal.
Thompson reportedly flew home on Friday, and was said to ‘be in an emotional state’ according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson flew home to England on Friday
The Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould said it had been a tough couple of years for Thompson, who moved just before the COVID pandemic hit.
‘Luke has not seen his family for a couple of years and we felt it important he returns home now during this difficult time,’ he said.
‘He is to return to Australia on July 8th, but much will depend on how things play out back home. Some things in life are just far more important than football.’
Luke Thompson (centre) with brother Adam (left) and father Mark (right)
Thompson (left) with best mate Oliver Gildart, an Englishman now playing for the Tigers
Thompson is very close to his father Mark and brother Adam, and often posts about his friends and family on his Instagram.
Things have been tumultuous for Thompson on and off the field since making the move Down Under.
The Englishman was one of the few players to refuse to take the Covid-19 jab despite an NRL mandate demanding it ahead of the 2022 preseason.
Luke Thompson has been strong for the Bulldogs since joining ahead of 2020
He eventually relented, and said he was ‘just trying to hold out for as long as I could’.
‘I missed two weeks, the club gave me two weeks off … but when the government put the date back I couldn’t afford to sit out another two weeks so I just got it, which is what I said I’d do all along if it was going to affect the team,’ he told Fox Sports in February.
He has also struggled with concussion of late, suffering from delayed symptoms after the Bulldogs’ loss against the Dragons on May 29. He has not played since.
Luke Thompson played 163 matches for St Helens
Gould said the club was looking forward to welcoming the star prop back into the fold after a strong start to the season.
‘Luke has been missing from our team over the past month due to a concussion event. Luke has had ongoing symptoms and we have been monitoring his return-to-play protocols,’ he said.
‘We are hoping this short break to visit his family will assist in his recovery. He should be good to go once he returns.’
Thompson won the 2019 Super League grand final with hometown club St Helens
The Bulldogs sit in 13th place on the ladder, and will no doubt be desperate to get arguably their most important forward back, once he is happy and healthy.
If he does return to Australia on July 8, the Bulldogs will have a round 17 bye before taking on the Rabbitohs on July 17.
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