Tarryn Thomas has been sacked by North Melbourne and is ineligible to play in the 2024 AFL season for multiple accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards women.
Both the AFL and Kangaroos confirmed in separate statements that, in addition to Thomas’ 18-match ban that’d been previously reported, he’s also been removed from North Melbourne’s list.
The 23-year old will need to undertake a behavioural change program before he’s available to return to football in any level beyond his 18-game suspension, which ends on July 22, 2024.
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Thomas, who was out of contract at the end of this season, hadn’t been training with the Roos in recent weeks after the AFL Integrity Unit investigated new allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women.
That AFL probe found Thomas had “engaged multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times.”
The Roos said they’d ran out of patience with the midfielder/forward given his string of poor behaviour and inability to buy into the club’s culture.
“The club has provided Tarryn with significant time, resources and support but we’ve now arrived at a point where the individual’s needs don’t match those of the club,” Roos chief executive Jennifer Watt said.
“We know Tarryn needs help – for himself and for the women in his life – but it’s clear the path we’ve taken over the past 12 months hasn’t had the desired impact.
“To that end, we have made the decision to end Tarryn’s time at North Melbourne.
“This decision doesn’t come lightly or easily. We brought Tarryn to the club as a teenager and we acknowledge that he has faced complex and challenging circumstances over his life.
“We hope Tarryn will find the support that is right for him and that he does the work required to be the best version of himself.”
North Melbourne general manager of football Todd Viney added: “Tarryn’s ongoing behaviour was not compatible with the club’s or the team’s values.
“We’ve channelled many hours into helping Tarryn and seeking to rehabilitate him – for his sake and for the sake of those his behaviour has impacted.
“Ultimately, though, it’s our responsibility to put time and effort into the people who are committed to taking the club forward.”
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Thomas was suspended in February last year amid accusations he had made “serious and confronting” threats of violence towards women.
A charge related to threatening to distribute an intimate image of another person was dropped in July after Thomas agreed to donate $100 to charity.
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.
“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.”
The AFL Players Association (AFLPA) also commented on the matter, reiterating Thomas’ behaviour was “unacceptable” but would offer him full access to all of its resources to overcome his “challenges”.
“The AFLPA notes the outcome of the AFL Integrity Unit’s investigation and North Melbourne’s decision that Tarryn Thomas will no longer be a North Melbourne player,” the AFLPA’s statement read.
“We would like to reiterate that disrespectful behaviour towards women, in any form, is unacceptable.
“Tarryn has some challenges that he needs to address, and the AFLPA will provide him with access to tools that will assist him, while continuing to focus on his wellbeing.
“Tarryn, like any playing member, has full access to our programs and services.”
