Malthouse said Thomas' on-field ability was not the only asset Carlton acquired in that deal, with his outgoing personality an invaluable addition to the Blues' changeroom.

"Our football club was as introverted as I've ever seen a football club and with the benefit of rear-vision I think it was a bit suppressed," he said.

"I want my players to have the same philosophy that I've had in every club, that is that you must enjoy coming to work.

"You want to win desperately, but you want to enjoy your mates too, you want to come away from your career with a great Carlton experience, or a great Collingwood, West Coast or Footscray experience.

"All I want my players to do is have fond memories and give as much as they can.

"And when you're trying to create an environment like that, a Dale Thomas makes life easier for you, as does Chris Judd, as does Marc Murphy, as does Bryce Gibbs.

"Dale has fitted in so well, he's highly respected and he sets such a high standard and the young boys look up to him. We got more than a player."

Developing lazy flower 101

If he's dominating games that's a bargain.

for 700k he's a reasonably priced defensive forward

as a performance based extra he also needs to knock himself out tackling or injure himself somehow ever now and then