Mark Robinson: Why AFL will have plenty of soul-searching to do regarding Tarryn Thomas’ future

AFL clubs will make a stand on violence against women this weekend, yet if Tarryn Thomas is allowed to return, the league’s virtue-signalling will ring hollow, writes MARK ROBINSON.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos runs the ball during the round 21 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Melbourne Demons at Blundstone Arena, on August 06, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Bye, bye Tarryn Thomas.

That’s the logical outcome to the club-pushed and AFL-backed decision this weekend to take a stand on violence against women.

The mechanics of exactly what the AFL and its clubs will do to help raise awareness of family violence and violence against women will make national headlines.

Yet, it’s action – more than headlines – that is what really matters.

This weekend’s virtue-signalling means the AFL, and some of its clubs, will need to confront and address what will be an uncomfortable question: How are we going to be 100 per cent invested in an issue shattering our society each day, and not be seen to be just paying lip-service?

The Thomas situation – about whether he should be allowed to resume his AFL career – was always going to be difficult. The AFL suspended him for 18 weeks after he was found guilty of multiple acts of misconduct that involved threatening a woman.

Thomas is serving an 18-week suspension for actions against women. Picture: David Crosling

It followed two previous sets of allegations of offensive behaviour towards women, which resulted in him being directed to seek counselling.

Announcing Thomas’ suspension, AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said: “Tarryn’s conduct does not represent behaviours acceptable to anyone in our game or our community and his actions were not of a standard that the game or the public expect.’’

It will be the AFL’s decision alone if he returns. The league can either forgive him or it can be profoundly groundbreaking and ban him for life.

If the AFL green-lights Thomas’ return, just watch as multiple clubs clamour for his signature.

It would make this weekend seem hollow.

What would women think of seeing AFL players wrapping their arms around each other in unity this weekend, and on a weekend in the future, seeing some of those same players wrapping their arms around Thomas, while singing the club song?

Footy clubs are places of inclusion and the AFLW cohort’s position on a possible Thomas return cannot be ignored by the AFL. In fact and while it’s not their issue to fix – men must stop this – here’s an opportunity for AFLW players to speak up.

The argument that Thomas, 24, deserved a second chance will be a key consideration, and the argument against that is he’s had several chances already.

It must also be noted that he has not recorded a conviction for a criminal offence.

Unquestionably, the AFL will have some soul-searching to do.