North Melbourne bracing for AFL integrity department ruling on Tarryn Thomas

Tarryn Thomas has been away from North Melbourne for weeks following fresh allegations against the midfielder, but the Kangaroos are bracing to be without him for longer, with a ruling set to be handed down early next week.

Tarryn Thomas leaves AFL House after being interviewed in late January. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Tarryn Thomas could face a further stint out of the game as North Melbourne braces for the results of an AFL integrity department probe set to be handed down early next week.

Thomas has been training away from North Melbourne teammates after another set of allegations over inappropriate behaviour was made to the AFL by a female in January.

The talented midfielder faced a series of allegations of threatening conduct towards women early last season and twice spent time away from Arden Street.

It is understood that the latest inquiry is close to being finalised and could result in the AFL stepping in to penalise Thomas this time, after the Roos were forced to act last season.

If the allegations were proven the league would be forced to suspend Thomas given his previous issues and the AFL’s strong stance on respect towards women.

Last year he was initially charged with threatening to distribute an intimate image of another person, with the charge then downgraded by prosecutors to using a carriage service to harass someone.

Tarryn Thomas leaves AFL House after being interviewed in late January. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Thomas escaped a criminal conviction after being granted a diversion and was ordered to pay $1000 to charity.

The league’s integrity department spoke to Thomas in the presence of his lawyer and manager on January 29 about the most recent allegations as they probed the Roos star about their substance.

The AFL takes its respect and responsibility code extremely seriously, with Thomas aware he was on his last chance after the seriousness of last year’s allegations.

He was suspended by the Roos last February over “serious and confronting” threats of violence towards women, with more females then coming forward to detail allegations in subsequent weeks.

In March 2023 the club again stood down Thomas after they judged he had failed to make progress in his respectful behaviour program.

Football boss Todd Viney said at the time that in football a player can “behave yourself in or behave yourself out” of the game, demanding “significant traction in this area” from Thomas.

But when he was spared conviction his lawyer said he had taken part in offending programs, social media training and engaged a psychiatrist.

Thomas is in the last season of a highly lucrative contract and the Roos had hoped he might find maturity and then have a long and productive career at Arden Street.

He had considered requesting a trade after meeting with clubs including Essendon last off-season, but instead decided to honour his contract with the Roos.