Controversial midfielder Tarryn Thomas has returned to North Melbourne Football Club via their VFL program as he looks to make a return to the field.
The 23-year-old has been embroiled in a number of recent scandals, being stood down by the club on multiple occasions.
MORE: The complete 2023 AFL fixture and results
Tarryn Thomas returns to AFL program
May 15
Tarryn Thomas' wait is over as North Melbourne has welcomed back the troubled youngster into their AFL program.
Co-captain Jy Simpkin spoke glowingly on Monday of Thomas' development and declared that he has done everything in his power to return to the club.
“Tarryn has done everything he can outside the club to continue to get better and tick off what he has to,” Simpkin said on Monday.
“I’ve spoken to him a few times and I’m comfortable where he’s at and looking forward to having him back at the club.”
Over the weekend, the Kangaroos were handed a long list of injuries which could see Thomas return sooner than first though, but Simpkin believes there could be others ahead of him.
However, the youngster impressed in his second game back in the VFL, amassing 25 disposals to go with eight inside 50s and a goal.
Tarryn Thomas nears VFL return pending AFL approval
May 4
North Melbourne bad-boy Tarryn Thomas is inching closer to an AFL return, with the club hopeful he gets up for the VFL this weekend.
Thomas has taken a significant step towards returning to the senior side while woking part-time in a respectful behaviour program.
Coach Alastair Clarkson said the 23-year-old will play against Sandringham on Sunday, if the league give their approval.
"We're hopeful that he'll play this week in the VFL," Clarkson said.
"I'm led to believe that the club and the AFL just need to tick that off if they haven't already.
"I haven't actually checked with (football boss) Todd Viney and (chief executive) Jen Watt on that as yet, but if that hasn't been done it will be done and we're hoping he'll play.
"He's spent the last couple of weeks training in the VFL program. He'll do that for the next couple of weeks, but now with the availability to play and then hopefully he'll be able to come back into the AFL program.
"But he's been doing an away-from-the-club program with the VFL but also doing some work with a cleaning business and he's progressing along really well, from what we're led to believe."
Tarryn Thomas returns to training via North Melbourne’s VFL program
April 19
North Melbourne released a statement on Tuesday, confirming that Thomas will return to club training via their VFL program.
"The club has continued to assess Thomas' progress in relation to respectful behaviour towards women and has sought further advice from specialists in this area to support change," the statement read.
"The advice received is that Thomas will benefit from being in a structured environment. The club will therefore support this via Thomas’ participation in the VFL program."
It was also revealed that Thomas will work part-time whilst training.
He will be considered for VFL match play only if he makes progress towards expectations, on and off the field.
North Melbourne CEO Jennifer Watt underlined that the club will support Thomas, but consistent improvement must be shown.
“Based on expert advice, supported by our own observations, and after building a new plan that will see him working and training with our VFL program, we’ll provide Tarryn with the structure he needs to give him every opportunity to demonstrate the required standards of behaviour,” Watt said.
“Tarryn has now been away from the club for a total of eight weeks across this year, and he has engaged in a series of education and training programs during that time.
“We have made it clear to Tarryn that the future of his playing career at North Melbourne is in his hands.”
What is Tarryn Thomas going to court for?
Thomas' VFL return follows a recent scandal, which involved him posting a video to Instagram appearing to show him driving dangerously.
In footage aired by Nine News, the 23-year-old was seen driving a car with his feet up on the centre console, slowly drifting into the wrong lane.
The video was posted to his private story for close friends, and was captioned 'living my best life'.
Under the AFL Players’ code of conduct, the club has fined Thomas $5000, with a further $5000 to be donated to a road safety charity.
North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas is on thin ice with his club after posting a video to social media appearing to show reckless behaviour on the road. @IzaStaskowski #9News pic.twitter.com/1hLpmbtQLt
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) April 11, 2023
Thomas is also due to face court later this year on an unrelated charge of driving with a suspended licence.
On top of the driving charge, the midfielder will appear in court later this year relating to the single charge of threatening to distribute an intimate image.
Why was Tarryn Thomas stood down again?
North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas was previously stood down again by his club in March following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women.
The club confirmed that he was not made available for selection in official match play at any level after it was determined he had "not made sufficient progress in his respectful behaviour training program".
"Thomas’ failure to meet expectations around his education program means the club will now create a new plan to address his issues of accountability, remorse and behaviour change," the statement continued.
"Separately, the club was this week alerted to further allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Thomas. Information relating to these allegations has been shared with the AFL’s Integrity Unit.
"Thomas will now remain away from the playing group to continue his training and education program while the club determines its next course of action."
SEN reported that Thomas was being accused of sending more threatening text messages.
It is not clear whether those particular messages were sent before or after his decision to step back from the game at the start of February.
Thomas faces the Broadmeadows Magistrate Court on July 18.
When did Tarryn Thomas last play for North Melbourne?
Thomas last featured for North Melbourne in their Round 15 match against the Adelaide Crows in 2022.
He picked up three disposals in that match, which led to questions about his future at the club.
Thomas was the No. 8 draft pick in 2018, making 57 appearances for the Kangaroos in his first four seasons.
He returned to the club in late February to complete his respectful behaviour training program before officially being stood down by the team again.
