The AFL career of former North Melbourne star Tarryn Thomas is still hanging in the balance.
Thomas, 24, is currently suspended from playing Australian Rules at any level after an investigation into his behaviour by the AFL Integrity Unit following a complaint from a woman.
The Sporting News has all the latest news on whether Thomas will be allowed to play AFL again.
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Which AFL clubs are interested in Tarryn Thomas?
St Kilda had emerged as a potential new club for Thomas after the club confirmed list boss Graeme Allan took a meeting with the controversial ex-player.
However, club CEO Carl Dilena poured cold water on the possibility just one day later.
"I wish to provide clarity on our club's position regarding contact between a club employee and former North Melbourne player, Tarryn Thomas," Dilena said in a statement.
"The football department pursues a number of players, as it is our job to find the best talent to fit our team and club.
"Following a course of due diligence, I can confirm that St Kilda will not be pursuing Tarryn Thomas."
AFL pundit Garry Lyon made it clear a club should only consider recruiting Thomas if he completes rehabilitation over a long period of time.
“With the Tarryn Thomas stuff, if I’m an AFL club I’m saying, ‘If you want a play AFL footy, that’s great, but go and prove to us that you can go and play at a lower level’,” Lyon said on SEN.
“Whether it's VFL or interstate - I don't care what level it is - for a year or two years go and put your head down and show that you've got contrition and own your actions.
“Only then would I take a lunch meeting with you. That's the way I would see that. I wouldn't consider Tarryn Thomas until I'd seen him get through a year or maybe two somewhere else.
“It's not about the money, playing at the top level and the thrill of being known as an AFL player.
“Go off the grid, get yourself right, show and demonstrate that you've learned from some of the horrendous mistakes you made.”
Prior to the recent allegations of harassment in May, Thomas had been linked with a move to Geelong after the Cats chose to not publicly rule out a move for the player.
When asked about recruiting Thomas, Geelong football manager Andrew Mackie said on SEN: “The (Tyson) Stengle story is much known – we look at the positives, and what their footy skillset can be to us and then we work backwards from there."
Since fresh allegations against Thomas have emerged, Mackie stated the player was 'not on our radar'.
“I think there’s too much good stuff going on in our game which we should be focusing on,” Mackie told 3AW Football in May.
Tarryn Thomas charges
It was confirmed on May 21, 2024 that Thomas would face the following charges after this statement was released by Victoria Police.
"Police have charged a 24-year-old Ormond man in relation to reports of alleged harassing phone calls," the statement read.
"Police executed a search warrant at a premises in Ormond on Tuesday 21 May about 11.15am.
"The man was arrested and charged with use telecommunications service to harass and breaching a court order. He was bailed to the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 21 November."
How long is Tarryn Thomas suspended for?
Thomas was handed an 18-game ban in February 2024 after he was found guilty of several breaches of the AFL Rules.
The suspension means he will be unable to participate in any other football competition at any level until 22 July 2024.
Why was Tarryn Thomas suspended?
Thomas was suspended for 18 games by the AFL after the governing body found he “had engaged in multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times”.
Prior to his ban, Thomas had also completed four different behavioural programs while at North Melbourne.
The club terminated his contract once the AFL announced his suspension.
Will Tarryn Thomas return to the AFL?
For Thomas to return to the AFL, the governing body had already imposed several requirements he must meet, including monitoring of his behaviour.
However, fresh allegations against Thomas of harassing a woman emerged at the start of May, putting into doubt whether he will meet the AFL's behavioural requirements.
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The AFL has now released a statement confirming he is ineligible to play football.
"While we have communicated this several times already, to reiterate the AFL’s position and make it crystal clear - Tarryn Thomas is not eligible to play football or sign with any club. He is not eligible for the draft and he is not eligible to be recruited to a club," the statement, published on August 9, read.
"There is a pending court case in late November and in conjunction with demonstrated behavioural change and continued education a determination will be made post those legal proceedings on any potential eligibility, if any at all.
"Thomas is currently undertaking a comprehensive education and behavioural change program that he will need to successfully complete and then over time consistently demonstrate a change of behaviour for any application on his behalf to even be considered, regardless of the court outcome later this year."
