Tarryn Thomas training away from North Melbourne as AFL integrity unit investigates allegations

As allegations of inappropriate off-field behaviour hang a cloud over Tarryn Thomas’ career, he has endeavoured to stay in shape.

North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas has continued to train away from the club in the hope he can clear his name and reignite his career at the Kangaroos.

Thomas has engaged a personal trainer to help keep fit during his time away from the club while the AFL integrity department investigates multiple claims he harassed and intimidated women.

The 22-year-old will appear in court next month after he was charged with a single count of threatening to distribute an intimate image.

A fresh allegation saw North Melbourne stand down Thomas last month.

While the allegations of inappropriate off-field behaviour has hung a cloud over his career, the fifth-year playmaker has endeavoured to stay in shape.

Thomas worked out on Saturday morning at a park in Richmond, completing some circuit training with a personal trainer.

Tarryn Thomas has continued to train away from the club. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The club remains in contact with the Tasmanian product in an attempt to support him through this period, although the Roos are also treating the allegations seriously and have co-operated with the league’s investigations.

The Kangaroos confirmed the 57-gamer would continue to undergo counselling around his behaviour during the time away from the club.

“Thomas will be expected to meet his obligations around his respectful behaviour training and education program,” a North Melbourne statement said.

News Corp revealed one alleged victim alleged the Roos’ star “turned really evil” shortly after the pair started seeing each other.

“He said he wanted to beat me, he became abusive and manipulative,” the woman claimed to the Herald Sun.

Thomas has not spoken publicly about the allegations.

The former pick No. 8 will continue to be paid in-line with his contract which is believed to be worth up to $700,000 a year after a bumper two-year extension in February last year (months before the allegations became public).

Thomas is contracted until the end of 2024.

Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd labelled the contract figure “irresponsible”, leading to speculation he could be traded late last season.

But former North Melbourne coach David Noble said Thomas had the potential to be a star of the future despite a disappointing year in 2022 averaging 13 disposals a game across 10 matches.

Tarryn Thomas was dropped to the VFL at one stage last year. Picture: Hamish Blair

“(He) had those early games, then had some internal bleeding which took him a while to recover from and then he had some personal issues to deal with,” Noble said.

“He’s got capacity to get into that elite category.

“I think he’s right at the top of that elite grouping that can actually influence games and win games off his own boot.

“He’s got enormous talent and he’s at the cusp of learning how to train to harness that talent.”

Thomas was set to be moved from the midfield to a half back role this season.

Top rookie draft pick Blake Drury is among the candidates to replace Thomas across half back if he is unavailable in the regular season.

North Melbourne will play Richmond on Friday February 24 (Arden St) and Western Bulldogs on Saturday, March 4 (Ikon Park) in preparation for the season-opener against West Coast on Saturday, March 18 (Marvel Stadium).

Hawks track watch: Former Pie down to final Hawk chance

— Glenn McFarlane

The Hawks were out on the track on Saturday as they close in on their round 1 blockbuster with the Bombers.

There’s lots of positivity surrounding the club and their young players, in particular two draftees that are turning plenty of heads.

Hawthorn will need their youth to perform at senior level if they’re a chance of getting close to the eight wins they got in Sam Mitchell’s first year as coach.

See the latest from track watch here.

Cam Mackenzie at Hawthorn training on Saturday. Picture: David Crosling

TOP DRAFTEES FIRMING FOR ROUND 1

Hawthorn’s first-round draft selections Cam Mackenzie and Josh Weddle have rocketed into Round 1 calculations after strong pre-season campaigns as coach Sam Mitchell prepares to bed down a new-look midfield mix in 2023 and beyond.

Mackenzie and Weddle took part in most of the midfield drill simulations at a training session at Monash University on Saturday morning. They have not put a foot wrong since joining the Hawks as pick 7 and pick 18 respectively in November’s national draft.

Their level of competition and class will be required as the Hawks get used to life after Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara, with young gun Jai Newcombe set to lead a new midfield crew.

Much has been made about the Mitchell and O’Meara trades, but there is a quiet sense of optimism within the club that a few of the young hopefuls will become stars of the future.

Josh Weddle is pushing for a round 1 debut. Picture: David Crosling

Both are in the running for the Round 1 clash with Essendon next month, if they can get through the two pre-season clashes without an issue.

Weddle has been training as a wingman though he can fill a number of roles if highly-rated free agent acquisition Karl Amon and Harry Morrison end up filling those two spots.

Morrison was back running solidly on Saturday as he looks to overcome a hamstring issue.

The Hawks’ 2021 first round pick Josh Ward – who impressed in 14 games last year – is certain to play a midfield role this season, while James Worpel is expected to win back a spot after a frustrating 2022.

Ward has lifted his training intensity and match simulation in recent weeks after overcoming a hip/groin issue that hampered him earlier in the pre-season.

CAL’S LAST-DITCH BID FOR AFL LIFELINE

Former Magpie Callum Brown will have one final chance to audition for the last spot on Hawthorn’s list when he plays in the club’s intra-club match at La Trobe University on Wednesday – on the final day of the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period.

Brown, 24, is desperate to resurrect his AFL career after being delisted by Collingwood after 70 games in six seasons.

Callum Brown has one last chance to show he’s capable of a list spot on Wednesday. Picture: David Crosling

He and his brother Tyler were both cut by the Magpies, with Tyler finding a new home at Adelaide.

Callum trained strongly for the Hawks on Saturday morning and will throw everything into his last-ditch bid to win an AFL lifeline.

The son of former Magpie great Gavin Brown, Callum signed with Box Hill Hawks at the end of the year, but he was invited to train with Hawthorn during the summer.

A big performance on Wednesday could see him join the Hawks.

Lloyd Meek is impressing at his new club. Picture: David Crosling

RUCK ’N’ ROLE

Hawthorn couldn’t be happier with the way former Docker big man Lloyd Meek has settled into the brown and gold jumper – on and off the track.

Meek, 24, is primed to join forces with Ned Reeves this season as a two-pronged ruck attack.

The pair will be pitted against each other in Wednesday’s intra-club match, ahead of pre-season clashes with Geelong on February 23 and Collingwood on March 2.

Meek looks ready to realise the potential shown in 15 games with Fremantle and was one of the standout performers in the club’s Saturday morning session.