North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas finally grilled by AFL Integrity Unit over domestic violence allegations
North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas has finally faced the Integrity Unit over domestic violence allegations after repeated delays over getting lawyers to AFL House.
AFL
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Tarryn Thomas has been grilled by the AFL’s integrity team about a new set of domestic violence allegations at AFL House on Monday as he fights to save his AFL career.
Thomas had been set to talk to the AFL’s integrity team after a complaint was made by a woman to AFL House on January 12 but a series of postponements pushed back that discussion.
The 23-year-old did not answer questions from waiting media after his Monday afternoon interview, where he was supported by his legal team and his manager Ben Williams.
The league’s integrity team listened to Thomas’ version of events but if proven his career would be hanging by a thread given the issues he confronted in 2023.
A complaint is yet to be made to Victoria Police, with the Roos in the dark about the nature or severity of allegations to a female.
AFL spokesperson Jay Allen said on Monday: “The AFLIU interviewed Tarryn Thomas at AFL House this afternoon, Thomas was joined at the interview by his legal representatives. The investigation remains ongoing, and the AFL will provide an update in due course.”
Thomas served a club-based suspension in 2023 and twice spent time away from the club after accusations of “serious and confronting” threats of violence towards women.
Mid-year Victorian Police dropped a charge of threatening to distribute an intimate image of another person after Thomas agreed to make a $1000 donation to charity.
The league will have to balance those allegations and Thomas’ previous conduct with its respect and responsibility code.
Thomas is not training with the North Melbourne squad at Arden Street while he faces the allegations.
He finished sixth in the club’s best-and-fairest despite playing only 12 games in another example of his exceptional talent.
The Roos held firm despite trade speculation that saw Thomas at one stage meeting with other clubs to assess his options.
He is in a contract year and was to be extremely well paid in 2024 and as a star midfielder-half forward would be a key part of the club’s premiership build if he was able to find the professionalism to match his talent.
AFL Players Association boss Paul Marsh said this month it was important to let the process play out.
“We now need to work through this set of allegations and as I said there are two sides to every story,” Marsh said.
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