AFL 2025: North Melbourne has thrown hand to embattled former player Tarryn Thomas

News.com.au

08-05-2025

North Melbourne has reached out to embattled former player Tarryn Thomas after his latest brushes with trouble.
Thomas, who was banned from the AFL for his off-field behaviour, has had a tumultuous 12 months and was last week entangled in a pair of incidents.
It was first reported Thomas was involved in a 'hostage drama' in a botched car deal in Ballarat before he was then allegedly set to be charged with possession of drugs in Melbourne's CBD.
Thomas, 25, was taken at pick No. 8 by the Roos in 2018 and played 69 games at AFL level.
His former coach, Alastair Clarkson, said the Kangaroos had reached out to Thomas and hoped he found 'a pathway forward'.
'Perhaps that's a question more so for the AFL then it is perhaps for us, we don't know the depth of what has transpired,' Clarkson said.
'There's a lot of people at this footy club that still care for his welfare and what's going on in his life – our club has reached out to him
'I am sure the AFLPA and the AFL are concerned for anyone who has played the game and the mistakes young men make along the journey and how can they rectify themselves, get on with their lives again.
'I am sure it's a concern for our club, a concern for the AFLPA and concern for the AFL and obviously a concern for Tarryn and his network of people supporting him.
'What we're hoping is through all that support he can find a pathway forward that allows him to get back on track with his life but also somewhere in the future get the opportunity to play footy again.'
Thomas was deemed eligible to play state-league football for stand-alone clubs this season but was knocked back by all seven Victorian clubs.
He then travelled to Perth and trained with WAFL club Swan Districts but the Swans too opted against fielding the former top draft pick.
'This process has uncovered many deep concerns and personal experiences,' Swan Districts chief executive Jeff Dennis said at the time.
'It's highlighted domestic violence has affected many people in our Swans family and shown us that we're just not ready for this.'