Tarryn Thomas sacked by North Melbourne: Jon Ralph analyses whether another AFL club will recruit former Roo

With Tarryn Thomas’ sacking official, the spotlight turns to 17 other AFL clubs and whether he will be given another AFL opportunity. JON RALPH looks at the moral dilemma.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 19: Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos celebrates kicking a goal during the round 23 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on August 19, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

• ‘Tarryn needs help’: Roos sack troubled Thomas

Few people in life get more chances than a top 10 AFL draft pick who might be capable of greatness.

Tarryn Thomas is all that and more.

For North Melbourne to finally sack the 23-year-old No. 8 draft pick on Thursday showed how extensive his rap sheet of offensive conduct to women has become these past 15 months.

And how little the Roos believed he would ever change despite repeated promises and countless education programs.

Thomas was sacked after a trio of serious allegations, the latest made to the league’s integrity department in January.

Those allegations dating back as far as July 2022 are vile and threatening.

Last year in court a magistrate described him telling his former partner — falsely — he had distributed two intimate videos of the pair.

Tarryn Thomas has been sacked by North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

That magistrate labelled the actions as “harassing, inappropriate and unacceptable”.

He was stood down by the Roos twice in 2023 amid multiple allegations of threatening behaviour — once as he failed to apply himself to a club-sanctioned education program.

He escaped a conviction as his lawyer spoke of his challenging family background and recent passing of his grandmother.

Instead seven months later he was at it again with what the AFL integrity department labelled as multiple acts of misconduct that involved threatening a woman via direct message.

The Roos deserve credit for supporting Thomas this long through counselling and education even though it is also true that he would have been gone long ago if his level of talent wasn’t sublime.

On Thursday they passed up the chance to trade him to a rival in October by keeping him on their list this year, instead sacking him and removing him as a distraction.

What happens next for AFL clubs will tell us plenty about whether they only talk the talk as champions of change instead of walk the walk.

Jon Ralph says Thomas should have to play state league in 2025. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

If history is a guide, football departments currently tut-tutting over his conduct will leap at the chance to recruit Thomas in November if he can play a few VFL games in the back-end of the year and prove he still has what it takes.

But with so many serious allegations against him, how can a club board sanction that risk so soon?

Thomas should have to play at a lower level for a full season in 2025 to prove he has made meaningful change, not just ticked an AFL-approved behavioural change program.

The AFL has acted appropriately under its respect and responsibility policy.

And now we get to see if the Kangaroos 17 rivals see the suspension as a sign of meaningful change as the league stands up for the rights of women.

Or just another chance to pick up a star at bargain-basement prices.

Originally published as Tarryn Thomas sacked by North Melbourne: Jon Ralph analyses whether another AFL club will recruit former Roo