Bombers further distance themselves from Tarryn Thomas after Brad Scott comments

Brad Scott’s comments about Tarryn Thomas caused a stir among the AFL community, and questions from some Essendon members prompted an email response from the club to clarify its position. READ THE EMAIL HERE.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 12: Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos in action during the 2023 AFL Round 22 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Essendon moved to further distance itself from Tarryn Thomas in a letter to some of its members after coach Brad Scott described the sacked footballer as a “good person” back on May 1.

Thomas, 24, was charged on May 21 for allegedly harassing his former partner. He was bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on November 21.

Scott said he hoped the football industry could support and help Thomas. The Bombers received strong feedback from a handful of their members regarding Scott’s comments. The club signed off on an email reassuring them that they were not looking to recruit Thomas and clarifying the club’s position.

Thomas was let go by the Roos earlier this year. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“Tarryn’s conduct does not represent behaviours acceptable to anyone in our game or our community,” the email said.

“No one at Essendon condones Tarryn’s behaviour and there is no excuse for the behaviour or the hurt he caused.

“The narrative created in recent days linking Tarryn Thomas to Essendon is inaccurate.

“Importantly, you can be assured that when questioned, Brad was not discussing Tarryn from an EFC list management (or) recruiting perspective.

“Whilst in past years, Essendon (like several other AFL clubs) have discussed Tarryn at list management level, this is not something Essendon has or are currently considering.

“Brad (Scott) is a man of great integrity, with a strong moral compass and longstanding admirable values which include respect, particularly towards women.

“However, Brad’s job as a coach, was and is, the support of his players (past and present) wherever possible.

“This does not include accepting intolerable behaviour or defending the indefensible – this was not Brad’s intentions yesterday when discussing Tarryn and rest assured, he does not condone Tarryn’s behaviour in any way.”

The email was only sent to the handful of members who had contacted the club.

Scott has known Thomas since he was 14 and coached him at North Melbourne in 2019.

“People will make mistakes and as a leader, a coach and a parent the responsibility is to have people learn from those mistakes. In Tarryn’s case, my view is one of support,” Scott said on May 1.

Bombers coach Brad Scott coached Thomas at the Roos. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Has he made some terrible mistakes? Yes he has, and he’s the first to admit that.

“I can’t speak to what’s happened in the last couple of years in relation to Tarryn, I haven’t been privy to all the information.

“But I just tend to think that people make mistakes. If you keep making the same mistake, there’s an issue, but as leaders we expect young people to make mistakes.

“So, as an industry, do we just wash our hands and say we’re done with him or do we help him? I prefer to sit in the help camp.”

Thomas cannot train or play at any level without AFL approval even after his 18-match suspension expires.

“Please note that the AFL will specifically not permit Mr Thomas to join the list of any AFL club pending the hearing and determination of the charges that have now been brought against him and subject to the outcome of those proceedings,” the AFL said after Thomas was charged.

“More broadly, it is the AFL’s intent that Mr Thomas will not be approved to play at any level of Australian football pending the hearing and determination of the charges that have now been brought against him and subject to the outcome of those proceedings.

“The AFL will continue to monitor the police proceedings.”