Ex-St Helens man Luke Thompson reflects on “frustrating” year but states he is settled at Canterbury Bulldogs

Luke Thompson might be one of the best props this country has ever produced but unfortunately we don’t get to watch him week in week out.

That’s because after winning the Harry Sunderland Award in 2019 in a Grand Final win over Salford, Thompson was tempted to the NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs midway through the 2020 campaign as the pandemic hit.

However, since then there has been almost constant rumours of a move away partly due to form and partly down to the fact he is a long way from home.

There’s been talk of a Super League return with the likes of Wigan, Leeds, Warrington and of course his former club St Helens interested.

Meanwhile, NRL rivals Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers have tried to steal him away with the former Saints man now regarded as one of the best forwards around.

However, he now seems very settled at the Bulldogs and took to Instagram to reflect on what he described as a “frustrating” season but confirmed he would be at the club again in 2023 believing the Doggies have a bright future ahead of them.

He said: “Another season done at the bulldogs.

“A frustrating one for myself with some really tough times but that is life and I still count my blessings to do this job every day.

“I want to thank everyone that supported me this year, especially my partner and everyone at Canterbury Bulldogs, a great club with a bright future and I can’t wait for next year! Up the doggies.”

Thompson has been in the UK recently to watch his former club St Helens make it four Super League titles in a row as his replacement and potential England teammate Matty Lees shone.

Lees and Thompson are likely to make up England’s front row in the World Cup with Thompson’s former partner in crime Alex Walmsley injured.

However, beyond that he will return to Australia with the Bulldogs and will likely again be a key player for them.