Troubled North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas has been issued with a massive suspension following an investigation into his behaviour by the AFL Integrity Unit.
Thomas was placed under scrutiny for his off-field actions after a complaint was made against him by a woman in January with the AFL's investigation now closed.
How long will North Melbourne's Tarryn Thomas be suspended for?
The 23-year-old has been handed an 18-game ban after has was found guilty of several breaches of the AFL Rules.
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The suspension will also mean he will be unable to participate in any other football competition at any level until 22 July 2024.
"It was ultimately determined by the AFL that Thomas had engaged in multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times," a statement read.
"Tarryn’s conduct
"While we understand and are empathetic to the challenges Tarryn was facing in his personal life, there is no excuse for the behaviour or the hurt he caused a young woman, this is never okay.
"The fact that Tarryn chose to engage in behaviour over direct messages that was, and is, clearly inappropriate, even while he was undertaking education and being counselled for previous breaches contributed to the length of suspension imposed."
North Melbourne statement on Tarryn Thomas findings
The Kangaroos confirmed the ban imposed meant Thomas will no longer be a player for the club.
"As a result of the findings, and in light of previous indiscretions, the club has informed Thomas that he will no longer be a North Melbourne player," the Kangaroos noted.
The club's chief executive Jennifer Watt hoped that Thomas' punishment for his repeated indiscretions would ultimately lead to him improving his behaviour around women.
"The club has provided Tarryn with significant time, resources and support but we’ve now arrived at a point where the individual’s needs don’t match those of the club," Watt said.
"We know Tarryn needs help – for himself and for the women in his life – but it’s clear the path we’ve taken over the past 12 months hasn’t had the desired impact.
"To that end, we have made the decision to end Tarryn’s time at North Melbourne.
"This decision doesn’t come lightly or easily. We brought Tarryn to the club as a teenager and we acknowledge that he has faced complex and challenging circumstances over his life.
"We hope Tarryn will find the support that is right for him and that he does the work required to be the best version of himself."
Tarryn Thomas issued with 18-game suspension by AFL
Thomas played 69 matches, including 12 last season, for North Melbourne since being drafted in 2018 with pick No.8.
However, despite his obvious quality on the pitch, his career has been littered with off-field issues.
His delisting from the club and 18-game suspension - which is the longest in AFL history - continues a steep downward spiral for the former top 10 pick after he endured a number of incidents which threatened to prematurely end his football career.
Thomas was suspended from the club last February after he was accused of making "serious and confronting" threats of violence towards women.
He then escaped criminal conviction for threatening to distribute an intimate image after his charge was downgraded in court.
Thomas also landed himself in hot water when a video circulated of him driving his car, while his feet were on the dashboard.
The Kangaroos stood down the utility twice last year as a result of his numerous indiscretions before he worked his way back through the VFL to earn a recall for the top side.
