Former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas registers with NTFL club
Sacked North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas is confirmed to have registered for a Top End club granting him a passage back to the game as soon as next week. Read the latest.
Sacked North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas is confirmed to have registered for a Top End club granting him a passage back to the game.
Thomas has signed with Northern Territory Football League reigning premiers Southern Districts after being knocked back by clubs in southern state leagues.
The ex-Kangaroo was sacked by the AFL club following a series of off-field incidents including threatening a woman via direct messages.
It is understood Thomas approached Districts first owing in part to his links with fellow former Roo Jed Anderson, who has been a standout of the team for the past two seasons.
Thomas is understood not to be playing in Districts’ Friday night home game this week but can feature as soon as their Round 8 game against Palmerston on November 21.
Senior men’s coach Shannon Rusca said the club had done their due diligence and had undertaken an extensive judicial process before permitting him a spot in the squad.
“The club has been wonderful in the way they’ve gone about their due diligence, this isn’t some knee jerk reaction, pull the trigger and he’s playing,” he said.
“He’s been exceptional in the way he’s come in and put forward his best case, if people don’t ever get a second chance then how do we right their wrongs?
“The club has extended the olive branch and put some measures in place in case he’s been granted the chance to play and he’s ticked every box to make his return to play.
“For us it’s not all about winning and losing but also helping someone when they’re at their lowest and seeing if we can help play a small part in putting him back on track.
“We know what happened and he needs to be able to stand up and prove himself.
“We commend him for reaching out to us because it takes courage to ask the top of the table team with a strong culture like ours if we would accept him.”
Thomas has already spent some time around the club working with junior players and integrating himself at training.
The reigning premiers are no strangers to picking up AFL players with Steven Motlop, Quinton Narkle, Lloyd Johnston and most recently Isiah Winder part of their list.
“He said he was willing to do whatever it took and that’s about being up here in this community, meeting the group and training with the younger kids,” Rusca said.
Sacked AFL player Tarryn Thomas eyes return in the NTFL
Initial, November 10: Former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas has been spotted meeting with a Northern Territory Football League club after the AFL permitted him to return to footy.
Thomas was stood down for 18 games in 2024 and was later sacked by the club following a series of off-field incidents including threatening a woman via direct messages.
The AFL previously stated he could play at state league level, and more recently AFL clubs were told they could select the 25-year-old as a free agent at this year’s draft.
It is understood the former Kangaroo was picked up from Darwin Airport by an official from NTFL club Southern Districts ahead of the most recent round at the weekend.
He did not play in the round six match but is understood to have links with fellow former Roo Jed Anderson, who has been a star of the side in recent seasons.
This masthead understands the club invited him to meet the players as part of completing its due diligence in Thomas’ return to playing.
The reigning premiers are no strangers to picking up AFL players with Steven Motlop, Quinton Narkle, Lloyd Johnston and most recently Isiah Winder part of their list.
In a statement issued this morning, Southern Districts confirmed the two are in communication.
“Tarryn Thomas has approached the Southern Districts Football Club to explore the possibility of reconnecting with football in a safe, structured, and community-focused environment,” the statement read.
“At this stage, the Southern Districts Football Club has not made any decision regarding his potential involvement. We are simply undertaking our due diligence and providing our stakeholders with an opportunity to understand his background and the personal development work he has undertaken since leaving the AFL system.
“Tarryn has expressed that he is seeking an opportunity to continue his personal growth within an environment surrounded by strong Indigenous role models – something Southern Districts is proud to provide. Our club has a number of respected Indigenous leaders who set high standards both on and off the field, and that’s the kind of environment Tarryn recognises can support his ongoing personal growth.
“For Southern Districts, the focus right now is on understanding the person, not the player. Should a pathway forward be identified, it will be based on accountability, positive behaviour, and a genuine commitment to rebuilding both his life, and potentially, his football career.
“Southern Districts takes pride in the strong culture that exists within our football community. If an opportunity does arise, it will be managed in a way that reflects our core principles of respect, inclusion, leadership, and integrity.”
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Originally published as Former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas registers with NTFL club
