Further details have emerged of North Melbourne’s several unsuccessful attempts to help correct the behavioural issues of Tarryn Thomas.
In a recent email Kangaroos’ chief executive Jennifer Watt informed rival clubs that Thomas “was not able to meaningfully change his behaviour,” in his time at Arden Street.
Watt’s message was in response to Eagles CEO Don Pyke, who was the initial voice behind the AFL’s show last weekend of a united stance against gender-based violence.
Watt emailed her chief executive counterparts in response to Pyke with the following: “(Kangaroos president) Sonja Hood and I have been talking a lot about this, especially in light of the recent challenges we faced with Tarryn Thomas.”
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“We were struck by just how hard it was to find programs to support behaviour change. And this was for someone with considerable resources and support around them.
“We eventually found a combination of programs for Tarryn.
“Even though Tarryn ended up completing four different programs which included an extensive combination of education, therapy and participation-style programs, we were not able to meaningfully change his behaviour.”
Thomas was sacked by his former club in February this year, after playing 69 matches and making his league debut in 2019.
He is currently serving an 18-game ban for ‘conduct unbecoming’ as a result of multiple misdemeanours, including allegations he threatened a woman over message.
Despite his suspension, Thomas still has full intentions of re-joining the AFL beyond July 22 – the day his ban lifts – but will need to wait until at least 2025 before playing at the top level again.
This year’s mid-season draft will be held on May 29, meaning he will still have nearly two months to serve on his sentence before he can join an AFL list in the best of his circumstances.
He will also need to prove to the AFL that he has changed his conduct for the better by completing a behavioural change program.
Club president Dr. Sonja Hood wrote a letter to club members at the time of his sacking at North earlier this year.
“Tarryn came back to the club midway through last year pledging to be better,” Dr. Hood said.
“We are all bitterly disappointed that he has relapsed, and he is now out of chances.”
Geelong, nor Essendon, have ruled out drafting Thomas back into the league at the end of the year.
