Tarryn Thomas Biography

Saints head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allan is reported to have met with disgraced footballer Tarryn Thomas, fuelling speculation the club is set to offer the 24-year-old a career lifeline.

This prompted many fans to flood St Kilda's social media pages with messages of disapproval, to which Saints CEO Carl Dilena responded.

"The football department pursues a number of players, as it is our job to find the best talent to fit our team and club," Dilena said in a statement.

"Following a course of due diligence, I can confirm that St Kilda will not be pursuing Tarryn Thomas."

Tarryn Thomas will not be cleared to play at any level of the game until at least late November after he was charged with fresh criminal offences this week.

The League has acknowledged that Thomas, 24, was arrested and charged on Tuesday with use of a telecommunications service to harass, and breaching a court order.

"The AFL is aware of today's developments in relation to Tarryn Thomas including that he has been charged with offences that are now before the Courts," the AFL said in a statement.

"The AFL cannot and will not make any comment in relation to those new charges while the police investigation is ongoing.

"The AFL reiterates that under the sanctions previously imposed on Mr Thomas by the AFL, he currently cannot train or play at any level of Australian Football without the approval of the AFL, including once his 18-match suspension expires."

North Melbourne sacks Tarryn Thomas after he was suspended by the AFL for 18 matches after a recent allegation of "inappropriate behaviour".

"I can't read Tarryn’s mind, but from my point of view, there's two Tarryns. There's the one we see day-to-day and there's the one who when he's in a relationship, he has some troubles in dealing with relationship issues," North's footy boss Todd Viney said.

"Hand on heart, I can put my head on the pillow and think we as a club have supported our player. He's one of us, we took him as a 17-year-old, we know he had a challenging upbringing and background. And hand on heart, we thought we could help educate him, put him in contact with some of the best people in the state around respect and responsibility, social media and the like.

"We just didn't get the result. Would we do anything different? No, we'd support our people and give them the opportunity to learn and get better."

Tarryn Thomas is interviewed for almost two hours by the League's Integrity Unit following a new allegation of inappropriate behaviour.

Tarryn Thomas is under investigation by the AFL Integrity Unit after a new allegation of "inappropriate behaviour"

Tarryn Thomas avoids a criminal conviction for threatening to distribute intimate videos of his former partner.

The 23-year-old was initially charged with threatening to distribute an intimate image of another person, but this was downgraded by prosecutors to using a carriage service to harass someone.

In July 2022, Thomas accused his ex-girlfriend of being intimate with another person while they were speaking to each other via Instagram messages, Magistrate Julie Grainger told the court.

The pair began arguing, exchanging a number of messages, and the woman said something about Thomas' mother which he took offence to.

Thomas threatened to share intimate video recordings taken of the two of them and the woman believed he had distributed those clips.

But Thomas did not distribute the videos and has taken full responsibility for his offending in the year since.

Tarryn Thomas puts in an impressive performance in his first AFL match after being put through a respect and responsibility education program and spending three weeks in the VFL due to his off-field indiscretions.

"When the ball's in his hand we keep the footy and he's quite electric," North Melbourne caretaker coach Brett Ratten said.

"He'll be better for the run but it was good to get him back into senior footy and be a part of the group and play. He did a good job."

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan says Tarryn Thomas has a decision to make about his future after flouting road rules in a social media video.

The video shows Thomas behind the wheel of his Mercedes with his feet on the dashboard as the vehicle drifts between two lanes. He captioned the clip: "Living my best life".

"He either comes back into the community and the fold and delivers on AFL and club standards as well as community expectations, or he won't participate," McLachlan said.

"It's out of his hands at the moment. Until he shows that he's willing to actually come back into the fold properly in a committed way, I don't think there's a decision to make."

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson hopes wayward Kangaroo Tarryn Thomas can emulate Collingwood's Jordan De Goey in turning his stuttering career around.

Thomas, currently stood down indefinitely by North amid concerns regarding his attitude towards women, had his return pushed back after posting a questionable video clip to social media.

"I just look at a guy like Jordan De Goey, who 12 months ago just couldn't seem to do anything right but now has grown up, matured, he's playing great footy," Clarkson said.

"And the really important part of it for mine with Jordan ... (was) the realisation from him that he said 'the person I was 12 months ago wasn't the person I want to be' and he's made some changes to his life. Full credit to him, and he's been the beneficiary of that, his football club have.

"And we're hoping that Tarryn can do exactly the same thing."

Tarryn Thomas is no closer to returning to the Kangaroos as a social media post places the troubled player in the spotlight again. North Melbourne says it's aware of the social media post made by Thomas, but didn't detail the nature of the post.

"Thomas has been away from the AFL program for the past three weeks and will continue to spend time away from the club," North said in a statement.

"The club continues to assess Thomas' progress towards meeting club and community expectations. He has not made adequate progress to be returned into the club environment at this stage."

Tarryn Thomas faces Broadmeadows Magistrates Court after being charged with threatening to distribute an intimate image.

Thomas remained quiet as his lawyer applied for the case to be adjourned off to a contest mention hearing. Magistrate Abigail Burchill granted the request, with the case to return to the Broadmeadows court on July 18.

Tarryn Thomas will not be available to play at any level for North Melbourne after the club determined he had failed to make enough progress in his respectful behaviour program.

The Kangaroos' decision comes after further allegations emerged of Thomas' inappropriate behaviour towards women.

"This decision has been made on the back of the education program put in place over the last eight weeks. We've seen some improvement in some of the understanding and accountability around that program we put in place," North football boss Todd Viney said.

"Unfortunately, (he's) still not quite at the level that he needs to be and that's been our own observations but also the observations from the key providers of some of those services we've put in place."

Tarryn Thomas will continue to build and maintain his fitness in the VFL as the club awaits the outcome of legal and AFL investigations.

"He's still going through a process, which is with the law and it's also with the AFL Integrity Department. We'll be guided by the outcomes of those two bodies. But in terms of here, he needs to go through a process of what he committed to in terms of going through a program around respect and responsibility and identifying some things. A big learning curve for him has been a big learning curve for us all throughout this process," North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Tarryn Thomas has had charges related to alleged breaches of a court order withdrawn.

"North Melbourne wishes to advise that charges heard in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court last week against Tarryn Thomas have been withdrawn," a short club statement from the Kangaroos said.

"Thomas returned to training this week and he continues to complete his respect and responsibility training and education program."

North Melbourne says Tarryn Thomas still has work to do to regain the trust of the playing group having brought unwanted attention to the club due to his off-field misdemeanours.

"We've set the terms, continue to display the wrong habits, and you find yourself out," North footy boss Todd Viney said.

"As part of this process, Tarryn spoke to the leadership group about things he's learned over the past four weeks and the 12 months leading into this position. He was quite vulnerable and open, the leadership group put forward what they expect from him moving forward, so it was a good two-way conversation."

Tarryn Thomas will return to training this week but will be unavailable for selection until his respectful behaviour program has been completed.

"I've learned a lot about myself over the past few weeks," Thomas said.

"I'm working hard to improve my behaviour and language towards women and the programs I'm completing have really helped me.

"The club and my teammates have continued to support me and I hope to repay them, the club and our fans on my return."

The Kangaroos ask Tarryn Thomas to take time away from the club while the AFL gathers information about allegations of threats of violence against women leveled against him.

Thomas has also been asked to undergo an education program to deal with his behavioural issues and is also set to face court after he was charged last month with a single count of threatening to distribute an intimate image.

"Tarryn Thomas will take time away from the club after the AFL's Integrity Unit informed North Melbourne of a new allegation of inappropriate behaviour," a statement from North Melbourne read.

"As detailed in the club's statement earlier on Wednesday, the club and Thomas made a commitment to co-operate fully in any investigation if new information was presented."

Tarryn Thomas has been charged by police with a single count of threatening to distribute an intimate image.

In a short statement, the Kangaroos said Thomas had also been stopped by police during the Christmas break while driving with a suspended licence.

"The club has informed the AFL's Integrity Unit and the AFLPA on both matters and the club will continue to work with Thomas regarding behavioural expectations," the statement read.

North Melbourne coach David Noble reveals Tarryn Thomas was dealing with the death of his grandmother in the week leading up to round 15 that affected his performance.

Thomas finished last on the possession count with just three in the Kangaroos' heavy loss in Hobart to Adelaide.

"(Tarryn) has had a bereavement in his family this week and has really struggled. His nan passed away," Noble said after the match.

"He wanted to play for his nan and I’m sure he’s disappointed with the game that he put forward. He won’t be flying home with us … he’ll be going back to support his family."

Tarryn Thomas is likely to be sidelined for up to two months after sustaining internal bruising following a nasty incident against West Coast.

Thomas spent two nights in hospital after copping an accidental kick to the rib region while attempting to smother Eagle Luke Foley.

Tarryn Thomas signs a two-year contract extension to stay at North Melbourne until the end of 2024.

"He's highly skilled but he also plays with a hard edge. He took his game to the next level in 2021 and we look forward to seeing that progression into this year and beyond," Kangaroos general manager of football talent Brady Rawlings said of Thomas.

"To have him commit until at least the end of 2024 is a fantastic result for all parties."

Tarryn Thomas will undergo ankle surgery and miss the rest of the 2020 season because of a syndesmosis setback.

"The specialists advised intervention was necessary on this occasion," North Melbourne football boss Brady Rawlings said.

"It's very unfortunate for Tarryn and for the team but we always make decisions based on professional opinion, and with the long-term health and well-being of our players front of mind."

Tarryn Thomas has headed to the Yarra Ranges to continue his isolation training, journeying to the picturesque Gladysdale as he prepares for footy's return.

Training alongside Kangaroos high-performance boss Jona Segal, the second-year gun took part in a number of drills that included weights work (thanks to some help from the hay), as well as running and ball skills.

Tarryn Thomas surprised himself by playing 20 senior games in 2019 and is feeling relaxed ahead of his second AFL season.

He showed enough in those appearances to have Kangaroos fans salivating at the thought of where the silky-skilled forward can take his game.

"I'm aware of it but I try not to think about it too much," he said.

"All the boys are really good with helping me with that stuff.

"The biggest thing is that I just want to try to have fun with it and enjoy my footy. I feel really comfortable with things ... the boys have really taken me under their wing."

Tarryn Thomas is the 2019 round 12 AFL Rising Star nominee after kicking two goals against the Suns, setting up teammates for another two, as well as finishing with 12 disposals at 75 per cent efficiency, 10 contested possessions, three inside 50s and two clearances.

"He's an incredibly talented player," Kangaroos caretaker coach Rhyce Shaw said of Thomas.

"I've never seen a young kid come into the competition and show as much composure as Tarryn does."

Tarryn Thomas makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne at Docklands Stadium with 10 disposals (6 kicks and 4 handballs), 3 marks, 3 tackles and a goal in a 20-point loss to Brisbane.

North Melbourne select their Next Generation Academy prospect Tarryn Thomas with pick No.8 in the 2018 National Draft, after matching Adelaide's bid on the midfielder.

“I’ve been around them for a number of years now, so I’m kind of used to it, but I still pinch myself when I’m in the change rooms watching the team warm-up and in the gym and stuff like that,” Thomas said.

“Getting drafted is something special. It would be good if I was to get drafted and play at a stadium like Etihad (for North Melbourne).”

Recruiters are raving about Tarryn Thomas being Tasmania's best footballing export in more than a decade, but the teenager is taking the hype in his stride.

Fresh from winning the Harrison Medal as the best player in the under-18 Academy series, the classy midfielder will next month play for the Allies at the division national carnival.

Thomas is eligible to join North Melbourne at this year's NAB AFL Draft through its Next Generation Academy, and rivals expect the Roos to have to match a bid inside the top 10 for him. Some scouts have him ranked as a top-three pick.

"It started three years ago and when I'm over in Melbourne I can train with them or hang out with them. When they play in Tasmania they get me tickets and I can get into the change rooms and see how they go about their business," Thomas said.

"They're actually going all right and I'm liking how they play. When I go into the rooms it's an unreal feeling being around the boys with their intensity and how they talk as they get ready."

Tarryn Thomas shows why he looks set to be an early selection for North Melbourne at next year's NAB AFL Draft with a standout performance in an under-18 trial game for the Allies.

Thomas, who is an indigenous prospect from Tasmania, is aligned to the Roos through their Next Generation Academy zone.

He is not eligible to be drafted until 2018 but has already shone at under-18 level and looks likely to be the first top-end pick under the NGA rules, which were established last year.

North will have priority access on Thomas, who last year was named Tasmania's MVP at under-16 and under-18 national level, but will have to acquire him through the same bidding process as father-son and northern academy prospects.