Thomas added instant spark to the Pies when he made his debut in Collingwood's opening match of the season and by round two he had a nomination to his name, after shining against the Hawks, with 20 touches and 10 marks. It was fitting he received his accolade the following week after Marc Murphy, as Thomas was the second player selected in last year's NAB AFL Draft. Already a cult figure at Collingwood, with his frizzy Ronny Wearmouth-like hair, Thomas has been a livewire up forward in 2006, but a shoulder injury interrupted the latter part of his season.