Tarryn Thomas in fresh police probe over harrassment allegations

Tarryn Thomas has been accused of repeatedly calling his estranged girlfriend after he was cut by North Melbourne and handed an 18-match suspension for threatening the same woman.

Troubled former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas is again being investigated by police for allegedly harassing a former partner.

The Herald Sun understands in recent weeks Thomas has repeatedly called an estranged girlfriend, allegedly multiple times during the day and night.

It’s believed the calls were made after Thomas was cut by the Kangaroos and handed an 18-match suspension by the AFL after conduct breaches, including threatening the same woman.

The shocking messages, circulating on social media, were revealed by The Herald Sun in February.

“And for them girls I abuse I would do again,” Thomas wrote to the woman.

“After what they did to me if you do me wrong I will let you have it.”

A Victoria Police spokesman said the latest matters were reported to officers last month.

“Police are investigating after reports of harassing phone contact,” he said.

“A report was made to police on April 11 and investigations into the incident remain ongoing.”

No charges have been laid.

Tarryn Thomas is again being investigated by police for allegedly harassing a former partner. Picture: Brendan Beckett

The investigation comes as it was revealed on Wednesday that North Melbourne chief executive Jennifer Watt had told fellow club bosses that Thomas “was not able to meaningfully change his behaviour”.

“We were struck by just how hard it was to find programs to support behaviour change. And this was for someone with considerable resources and support around them,” she said in an email to club chief executives.

“We eventually found a combination of programs for Tarryn.

“Even though Tarryn ended up completing four different programs, which included an extensive combination of education, therapy and participation-style programs, we were not able to meaningfully change his behaviour.”

North Melbourne chief executive Jennifer Watt and president Dr Sonja Hood. Picture: Mark Stewart

But this month, Essendon coach Brad Scott said the 24-year-old deserved another chance to play AFL.

His comments were made on the same day the league announced its initiative on violence against women.

“I’ve known Tarryn since he was 14 and my view is he’s a good person,” Scott said.

“Has he made some terrible mistakes? Yes he has, and he’s the first to admit that.

“I can’t speak to what’s happened in the last couple of years in relation to Tarryn, I haven’t been privy to all the information.

“But I just tend to think that people make mistakes. If you keep making the same mistake, there’s an issue, but as leaders we expect young people to make mistakes.

“So, as an industry, do we just wash our hands and say we’re done with him or do we help him? I prefer to sit in the help camp.”

Under the terms of Thomas’s 18-week ban he is able to play at state level from July 22 if he can prove he has completed or is satisfactorily progressing with a behavioural change program.

Thomas was cut by the Kangaroos and handed an 18-match suspension by the AFL after conduct breaches of threatening a woman.

Geelong legend Jimmy Bartel said he would be “incredibly uncomfortable” to see the former defender back on the AFL list.

“I get the whole premise of forgiveness and chances,” he said.

“He’s had a number of chances for his alleged behaviour …

“At some stage, there’s got to be a fork in the road because the forgiveness angle hasn’t worked – because the (domestic violence) numbers are actually getting worse.”

Last year, Thomas escaped conviction after threatening to share an explicit video of his ex-partner Jamai Curran.

Instead, he was ordered to pay $1000 to charity.

At the time, Ms Curran told the Herald Sun the AFL were “letting women down” by prioritising players and their reputations.

“I think the AFL are letting women down and at this point, need to be held responsible,” she said.

“The AFL and clubs talk so much about domestic violence and taking it seriously but when push comes to shove they don’t do anything about it because it’s more important to protect players and reputations.”