YOU could be forgiven for seeing "C Thompson" named the number eight jersey of Western Division and forgetting the tragedy and heartache of the past two years.
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That was a jersey cherished by Chris Thompson during his storied rugby league career, one which was cut short when he lost his life as a result of a motor vehicle accident in 2014.
No, the "C Thompson" who will wear the green and white this year is his wife Chrystal, who is doing everything in her power to put aside her own grief and agony to continue what her late husband started. She will also carry on another part of family tradition after her father Steve 'Chook' O'Brien wore the famous jersey in 1978 and 1979, including in a match at the SCG before Test between Australia and France.
"The kids still ask when Chris is coming home," she said.
"It's hard, but the rugby league community has been great and Dubbo CYMS in particular, so when they got a women's league tag team together I wanted to get out there in Chris' jersey and do what he did to keep that legacy going. "Shane Madden and 'Chicka' Merritt have been great, not only with the footy and coaching side but for me off the field they have offered to babysit and done whatever they could to help me and my family
"I never imagined I'd be picked for Western Division. I thought maybe I could play for Group 11 because the whole league tag thing is new and there's a lot of girls new to the game but I did shed a tear when I got the call for Western Division.
"The fact Dad played for Western as well is quite special. My whole family are involved and that is great."
When Chris Thompson died he left behind family which included his wife and three young children who admired their father. Alaqua is now seven, Mataeo is almost five and Chandon is three, and while the memories of their father rampaging up and down the field for CYMS, Wellington, Group 11 and Western Division are sketchy, mum is now picking up the load like she has in so many other areas. "Some people laugh when they see photos of me playing because I might have the same running style as Chris, or I might stand the same way he did when talking to the referee," she laughs.
"I say to them that I spent enough time watching him play football so it's natural I picked up some of those things.
"In all seriousness though, me playing the league tag was about staying involved in the rugby league community that has helped me and my family out so much over the past couple of years and continuing what Chris started for the kids. When we're at the footy and I'm playing people can still talk to the kids about the things he used to do on the field and it helps them to hear those stories.
"I was in the sheds the other day and asked one of the girls how old she was and she said she was 15. I said "I'm double that and a bit" so I'm not sure how long I will keep playing for but I have my LeagueSafe ticket now so maybe I can run the water or something."
