AFL 2024: Tarryn Thomas sacked by North Melbourne after league hands down 18-week suspension

Tarryn Thomas has been sacked by North Melbourne for his latest transgression as the club’s boss says “he needs help”.

North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas has been handed an 18-week suspension by the AFL Integrity Unit after being found guilty of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman. Picture: Brendan Beckett

North Melbourne boss Jennifer Watt says Tarryn Thomas “needs help” after he was dumped by the club in a swift reaction to his 18-match suspension from the AFL after being found guilty of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman.

In a statement shortly after the AFL confirmed its findings of an investigation, the Kangaroos said they informed Thomas that his contract would be terminated in line with a previous warning that “any new indiscretion would threaten his playing future at North Melbourne”.

Thomas was stood down by the Kangaroos twice in 2023 – first in February, and again in March after he failed to show “sufficient progress” in mandatory behavioural training, which had been one of the conditions of his return to the club.

The emergence of subsequent allegations against him resulted in a league investigation and the ban handed down by the AFL on Thursday.

“The club has provided Tarryn with significant time, resources and support but we’ve now arrived at a point where the individual’s needs don’t match those of the club,” Watt said.

“We know Tarryn needs help – for himself and for the women in his life – but it’s clear the path we’ve taken over the past 12 months hasn’t had the desired impact.

Tarryn Thomas leaving AFL House after speaking to the league’s integrity unit in January. The Kangaroos footballer has been suspended for 18 weeks. Picture: Brendan Beckett

“To that end, we have made the decision to end Tarryn’s time at North Melbourne.

“This decision doesn’t come lightly or easily. We brought Tarryn to the club as a teenager and we acknowledge that he has faced complex and challenging circumstances over his life.

“We hope Tarryn will find the support that is right for him and that he does the work required to be the best version of himself.”

Thomas was questioned at AFL House in January after a fresh allegation of inappropriate behaviour was taken to the league’s integrity unit.

On Thursday the league confirmed he had been found guilty of several breaches of the AFL Rule 2.3(a) (Conduct Unbecoming) and given the hefty ban.

Before returning to football at any level, the rule stipulates Thomas must have undertaken and be satisfactorily progressing with a behavioural change program which needs to be approved in advance by the AFL.

In determining the sanction, the AFL took into account the evidence over a period of time which included Thomas engaging in misconduct while he was undertaking education in 2023 to deal with similar behaviours from earlier that year.

Watt told North Melbourne members in a separate letter on Thursday that Thomas was “out of chances” but would be supported by the club along with the AFL Players’ Association to “ensure that he gets the help he needs to get better”.

Thomas was sacked by North Melbourne immediately after the AFL confirmed it had suspended him for 18 matches. Picture: David Crosling

“Right now, like many of our North Melbourne people, I’m feeling a range of emotions – frustration, anger, disappointment but overall, sadness,” Watt wrote.

“Tarryn came back to the club midway through last year pledging to be better.

“We are all bitterly disappointed that he has relapsed. And he is now out of chances.”

Watt commended the bravery and dignity of the woman who raised the latest allegations of Thomas’ misbehaviour with the AFL.

“She deserved better,” Watt said.

AFLPA boss Paul Marsh did not oppose Thomas’ sacking as he said the 23-year-old would have “full access” to the organisation’s services like any playing member.

“We would like to reiterate that disrespectful behaviour towards women, in any form, is unacceptable,” Marsh said.

“Tarryn has some challenges that he needs to address, and the AFLPA will provide him with access to tools that will assist him while continuing to focus on his wellbeing.

Thomas fronted court in July last year after threatening to distribute intimate content of his former partner in 2022, but avoided a conviction and was ordered to pay $1000 to charity.

The former No. 8 pick returned to Arden Street in May and played the final 12 games of the AFL season but was sent away again during the pre-season after the new allegations emerged.

He will not return, with any future in the game set to be at another club.