Chris Thompson, who was playing in his final year of rugby league  was one of the key players for the Wellington Cowboys side. 

“The community is absolutely devastated. In shock,” Wellington Cowboys secretary Ray Fabar said, following news Mr Thompson was critically injured when his utility crashed into a tree in the early hours of yesterday morning.

“The Thompsons are an inspiration to our rugby league side and Chris’ crash has cut deeply here.

“Rugby league is the heart and soul of Wellington. People were excited about the possibility of Wellington playing in the grand final and Chris in the front row would have been leading the charge.

“The club will now retire his jersey till the end of the year.”

Seven Cowboys players went to Mr Thompson’s bedside at Dubbo  Hospital yesterday, among them captain-coach Justin Toomey-White. 

The Wellington Cowboys are due to play Dubbo Macquarie in a qualifying final at Caltex Park this afternoon.

Wellington Cowboys president Trent McQuillan said he was shattered when he received a phone call over Mr Thompson’s accident and rushed to be with him and his family.

“Chris’ accident has had devastating and massive repercussions on our town and its rugby league community,” he said.

“An incident like this makes you look at life differently. 

“Footy is only a game. It’s the mateship and the comradery which embraces our game.

“Words can’t express how we really feel.

“What effect this will have on our team is of course unknown but the players are intending to pull together and honour Chris (this afternoon).

“We are a very proud of the way our players came straight to Chris’ bedside. There was a real brotherhood there. We have come together in tough times for a mate and his family.

“We all stayed until the helicopter took him to Sydney (and) we are praying for his safe journey home.

“He is fighter and if there’s anybody who can come out the other side and fight this it is Chris Thompson.”

When Mr Thompson re-signed for the Wellington Cowboys this year he was thrilled to be home again.

“I am here to complete unfinished business and taking my home town to the grand final,” he said at the time.

“We made the 2010 grand final and we can do it again this year.

“I love Wellington, all my mates are here and my brothers. While I have played for Dubbo Cyms and Macquarie my heart is right here.”

Mr Thompson played his junior football with the Wellington Cowboys and the club president said he was highly regarded among both the fans and players. 

Mr Fabar said the front rower had been in some of the best form of his career.

“He had been scoring tries and taking up the slack where others had been unable to and this spurred on others. He is tough as they come,” Mr Fabar said.

Mr Thompson has a twin brother Nathan and a younger brother Scott, both whom have been playing strongly for the Cowboys alongside Mr Thompson’s brother-in-law Ken Everson.

The family were weighing up their options in relation to playing but said they were dedicated to finishing the season in their brother’s honour.