Tarryn Thomas hopeful of AFL return as clubs remain interested despite latest infraction

Tarryn Thomas recently plead guilty to a series of menacing calls to his ex-girlfriend, but clubs are still interested in monitoring his rehabilitation with a potential AFL return in mind.

AFL clubs interested in Tarryn Thomas will wait until he is given full clearance to return to football before pondering a football lifeline as the league makes clear he is still unable to return to the game after his latest infraction.

Thomas was spared a conviction but was handed a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty in Broadmeadows Magistrates Court to a series of menacing calls to his ex-girlfriend.

St Kilda was one of a number of AFL clubs which had considered Thomas this year before the league made clear he was still ineligible to return to football.

Thomas is understood to have turned to religion with regular church attendances and has completed a men’s behaviour program focusing on accountability, violence and cultural understandings.

Tarryn Thomas arriving at Broadmeadows court on Thursday. Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

Clubs are monitoring his progress and while he was spared conviction, he still cannot train or play football until the AFL believes he is completely rehabilitated.

Thomas was suspended for 18 games by the AFL for a series of incidents regarding women, and is not eligible for the draft or a summer-train on spot and cannot even train with an AFL club.

Clubs are aware of Thomas’ talents and his lawyer told the court he had a desire to return to the AFL.

Thomas still wants to return to his AFL career. Picture: Getty Images

The league had said it would consider Thomas’ status after the court case.

“In conjunction with demonstrated behavioural change and continued education a determination will be made post those legal proceedings on any potential eligibility, if any at all,” the league said in August.

But the AFL told the Herald Sun after the court case: “The court decision today does not change the AFL’s current position regarding Tarryn Thomas’s eligibility to play football. As per the AFL statement in August, Thomas was required to undertake a comprehensive education and behavioural change program and then over time consistently demonstrate a change of behaviour for any application on his behalf to even be considered, regardless of the court outcome.”

St Kilda considered whether Thomas was a player of interest in August before making clear it would not pursue him, with Saints fans upset at the club’s pursuit given Thomas’ pattern of behaviour.