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DALE Thomas says the media had been "almost calling for some form of blood to be spilled" in the weeks leading up to Mick Malthouse's sacking at Carlton.
Thomas, whose close relationship with Malthouse stems back to their days at Collingwood, claimed the media was "all out in attack" to have Malthouse sacked.
The veteran coach was dismissed by Carlton on Tuesday after an inflammatory radio interview led to president Mark LoGiudice describing a loss of trust between Malthouse and the Blues.
Thomas told Nova FM radio on Wednesday that he owed his career to Malthouse and regretted that the 61-year-old wouldn't coach out the season.
He also said he respected the way Malthouse had carried himself as the scrutiny increased.
"Probably the biggest one was the media in the end, with how there's never been (so much) scrutiny on an individual, I don't believe, to almost calling for some form of blood to be spilled in the sense they wanted him gone," Thomas said.
"They were all out in attack to make it happen.
"There were reporters at the club every day from pretty much round two when it was said we were looking to rebuild some depth.
"From that point forward, the media were certainly calling for his head, and it was probably a self admission (that he) didn't have the greatest rapport with the media.
"But for him to carry out his duties in the way he did was testament to the fact he's a true professional."
Malthouse was in an untenable position after he used a radio interview with SEN to question why the club had announced it would wait another two weeks before making a call on his future as coach.
"As a friend I certainly felt for Mick yesterday because he certainly did want to coach out the season," Thomas said.
"He wanted to be a part of anything he could to try and rectify the situation.
"He didn't want to go out on the bottom, not only on a literal sense with the club sitting last.
"Like the rest of the football community, I think I was a little bit disappointed for Mick, but fully understand that's the business we're in and you can't dwell on these things for too long because we have to roll up and put in a better performance on Friday night."
Malthouse’s former boss, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, also paid tribute to the three-time premiership coach on Triple M on Wednesday.
"Whether or not the war is over, and whether he's felt he's been in a permanent rage since 2008, or since he arrived from Lake Wendoureedown at Moorabbin all those years ago, I hope he finds some peace," McGuire added.
"I hope that Mick, once it all settles down, is afforded the respect that he deserves for what has been an amazing career in football."
Malthouse had little to say on Wednesday morning when door-stopped by media near his home, other than to refer to the statement he released on Tuesday night.
Thomas echoed McGuire's thoughts and said he hoped Malthouse would now be "celebrated in the correct manner".
"All the people who have had their shots at him along the way will step back now and won't be reporting on things of that ilk and can just say, 'Well done, thanks for everything you've done for the footballers and the football club and football in general'," Thomas said.
"Now we move on and celebrate what's been the coaching life of a great coach and one of the greatest coaches of all time, and someone I've been fortunate enough to not only call a friend but have some amazing times on the football field with along the way and someone I probably owe my career to."
Thomas also said caretaker coach John Barker was "a fantastic thinker of the game" and expected he would want to throw his hat in the ring for the full time role beyond this season.
