St Kilda members voice concerns over the club’s potential move to sign Tarryn Thomas

Tarryn Thomas’ meeting with St Kilda’s Graeme Allan has sparked an uproar online from Saints fans, expressing their disapproval at any links to the former Kangaroo.

Tarryn Thomas has split from his long-time manager Ben Williams as St Kilda faces a backlash over its meeting with the sacked North Melbourne midfielder.

The Herald Sun understands that Thomas and Williams recently parted ways with both parties keen to go in different directions.

Thomas is now being mentored by a host of football identities including prominent player manager Colin Young, who is now likely to take him on as a client, and former Collingwood player and ex-North Melbourne Indigenous player development manager Robbie Ahmat.

Young already has several clients who are close with Thomas, and have been assisting him.

The news comes in the wake of Thomas’ lunch meeting on Tuesday with St Kilda head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allan.

St Kilda’s social media platforms were inundated with messages from supporters, many of them threatening to terminate their memberships if the club pursued the exiled Thomas.

Tarryn Thomas after an interview at AFL House earlier this year. Picture: Brendan Beckett

And in action against the Saints last season. Picture: Michael Klein.

A number of fans also contacted the club directly on Thursday morning to express their disapproval over the meeting that took place with Allan.

Thomas, 24, was axed by the Kangaroos earlier this year after an AFL probe found he had threatened a woman in direct messages, with the league imposing an 18-game ban.

He will face court on November 21 – on the second day of the AFL national draft – after being charged in May with “using telecommunications to harass and breaching a court order”.

AFL spokesman Jay Allen told the Herald Sun on Thursday: “Tarryn Thomas is not eligible to play football or sign with any club at any level.”

“He has a pending court case in late November and a determination will be made post those proceedings on any potential eligibility.”

Thomas is unable to train with any clubs at the moment but is believed to be keeping fit and training in private.

@stkildafc If Tarryn Thomas comes anywhere near St Kilda, I’m out. Can’t believe you’re even considering recruiting him. Draft a quality young person instead who will enhance the club.

— Andrew Barker (@AndrewBarker66) August 7, 2024

30 years I’ve been a St Kilda member, but I’m willing to toss it in if we peruse Tarryn Thomas.. deplorable

— Tate Short (belfast cowboy) (@tateshort4) August 7, 2024

St.kilda opting to recruit Tarryn Thomas is really going to test the moral compass of a lot of their supporters, let’s see where they truly stand

— DeeCB____ (@Dallas_Bil____) August 7, 2024

His potential return to the game has heightened tensions with footy fans.

Essendon distanced itself from any prospect of a future discussion with Thomas earlier this season, sending a letter to members after coach Brad Scott described him as a “good person”.

The Bombers reassured members it had no intention of recruiting Thomas, even if the AFL deemed him eligible following the court case.

Geelong has also ruled out any moves to speak with Thomas.

Former Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on SEN: “With the Tarryn Thomas stuff, if I’m an AFL club I’m saying, ‘If you want to play AFL footy, that’s great, but go and prove to us that you can go and play at a lower level’.”

“Whether it’s VFL or interstate – I don’t care what level it is – for a year or two years go and put your head down and show that you’ve got contrition and own your actions.

“Only then would I take a lunch meeting with you. That’s the way I would see that. I wouldn’t consider Tarryn Thomas until I’d seen him get through a year or maybe two somewhere else.

“It’s not about the money, playing at the top level and the thrill of being known as an AFL player.”