By Roy Ward
The AFL says banned midfielder Tarryn Thomas has shown a consistent change in his behaviour and will be allowed to return to the football field in 2025 – but not at the top level.
Thomas was suspended for 18 games and sacked by the Kangaroos last February after the AFL’s integrity unit found he had “engaged in multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times”.
The AFL ruled at the time that Thomas was unable to play football at any level.
Tarryn Thomas at the time of his first suspension from North Melbourne.Credit: Justin McManus
In May, he was charged by police with using a telecommunications service to harass and for breaching a court order. That charge was dropped in November, but he pleaded guilty to breaching a court order for repeated calls to a woman in April last year.
Thomas avoided a conviction but was told by the AFL he would not be eligible to play again unless he changed his behaviour.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the league confirmed Thomas would be allowed to play for a state league side without an AFL affiliation or in other levels below the AFL.
He is also not eligible for this year’s mid-season draft.
An industry source told this masthead Thomas was not currently on the list of any club or linked with any league.
“The AFL has kept up to date with Thomas’ progress, which has included his completion of a comprehensive change program, and importantly a consistent change in his behaviour over a period of time,” the league said.
“To be clear, Thomas is not approved to play in the AFL competition in 2025 or for any club with an AFL affiliation in a state league competition, however as part of his rehabilitation he has been approved to play in football competitions below the AFL.
“He will not be eligible for the 2025 AFL mid-season draft.
“No decision has been made in relation to Thomas’ eligibility to play in the AFL in 2026 or thereafter and that matter is not presently under consideration.”
When Thomas was initially suspended by the AFL, the league said he had to have completed or be “satisfactorily progressing” with a behavioural change program before being allowed to return to football at any level.
In a statement at the time, the league specified that:
- The behavioural change program needed to be approved in advance by the AFL.
- Thomas and/or the provider of the behavioural change program would need to report to the AFL on the adherence and progress with the program.
- Thomas would personally bear the cost of the behavioural change program.
No to Violence chief executive Phillip Ripper encouraged Thomas to continue to change his behaviour and set an example for other men.
“We applaud the strong action taken by North Melbourne and the AFL in standing Tarryn Thomas down when they did,” Ripper said.
“We are pleased to understand he has engaged in a program of behaviour change. Engaging in a program is a really important first step for many men who are seeking to change their behaviour for good.”
Ripper said he hoped Thomas continued to get support as there was no timeframe on someone addressing “significant issues in their lives”.
With Peter Ryan
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
No to Violence counsellors are available 24-7 on 1300 766 491.
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