Former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas is reportedly keen to return to the AFL in 2025.
The Herald Sun reports Thomas’ determination to return the league provided he can proven to it he’s completed the behavioural change program he was made to undergo upon being deregistered by the competition for 2024 as part of an 18-match suspension.
Having appointed a personal trainer as part of an extensive fitness program to stay in good shape, the 24-year old is believed to be eager to join a state-league program in the coming weeks to prepare him for an AFL return.
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Multiple clubs are reportedly circling Thomas, who can be picked up as a free agent, but would clearly need to put in an extreme amount of work on his behavioural progress.
Thomas was found guilty of engaging in multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times. He’s been splitting his time between Melbourne and Sydney, where he has family, since being sacked by North Melbourne.
The former Pick 8 is not available to play at any level of Australian football until after his 18-game suspension ends on July 22, though even a return to training is subject to compliance with his behavioural changer program.
VFL teams are watching Thomas’ progression given his availability to play in the competition from late July. The Herald Sun however reports it’s not known whether he’d only train state league level or play games.
Geelong earlier this month didn’t rule out giving Thomas a lifeline, while Gold Coast and Essendon have previously been linked to the troubled player.
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Given his family links to Sydney, both New South Wales clubs are also potential fits.
Thomas has played 69 senior games for the Kangaroos since being drafted with pick No. 8 in the 2018 national draft.
“Tarryn’s conduct does not represent behaviours acceptable to anyone in our game or our community and his actions were not of a standard that the game or the public expect,” AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said after he was axed by North Melbourne.
“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.”
