Troubled North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas is firming to make his return to play via the VFL this weekend.
Thomas remains confined to the Kangaroos’ VFL program, but was spotted on the outskirts of the main training session at Arden Street on Thursday as it emerged that coach Alastair Clarkson would like the 23-year-old to play in Sunday’s reserves match against Sandringham.
The midfielder was fined $5000 and donated $5000 to a road safety program for an indiscretion last month where he filmed himself driving with his feet on the dashboard of his car.
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It followed a string of allegations about threatening and intimidating behaviour towards women, while he will face court later this year on a single count of threatening to distribute an intimate image.
Clarkson said North Melbourne chief executive Jennifer Watt and football boss Todd Viney would meet to decide whether Thomas could play, with a decision expected by Thursday night.
It is understood the AFL will also be consulted to get a final tick of approval on Thomas’ return.
“We’re hopeful that he’ll play this week in the VFL – I’m led to believe that the club and the AFL just need to tick that off if they haven’t already,” Clarkson said.
“I haven’t actually checked with Todd Viney and Jen Watt as yet, but if that hasn’t been done, it will be done and we’re hoping he’ll play.
“He’s spent the last couple of weeks training in the VFL program and will do that for the next couple of weeks, but now he’s available to play, and then hopefully he’ll be able to come back into the AFL program.”
Clarkson said he had not spoken to Thomas recently but was comfortable with his progress.
“He’s progressing along really well … to his credit his player sponsor was over from Tasmania today, and he wanted to come in and catch up with her,” he said.
“It was good to see him here and hopefully he can get himself back into the routine of AFL footy pretty soon.
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“I’m not sure too many of them actually knew he was here until the last part of the session … he’s a listed player at our footy club and mates with the players, so they’re keen for him to get his life sorted and get back to doing what he does really well.”
Clarkson said sore veterans Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington were likely to tough it out and play against the Saints at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, while Luke Davies-Uniacke requires further assessment for an ongoing heel injury.
Clarkson said mature age rookie Hamish Free was in the frame to make his debut in the place of key forward Charlie Comben, with the 203cm West Australian in solid form at VFL level.
— NCA Newswire
