Tarryn Thomas was turned down by Thomastown Football Netball Club as former Roo continues search for new home

Tarryn Thomas is still desperate to return to football at any level, but is finding no suitors. See the club which was wanted him to put pen to paper, and why the move was shut down.

A Melbourne suburban league has turned down an approach from former AFL star Tarryn Thomas to resume playing football in the latest blow to his career.

The Northern Football Netball League held an extraordinary board meeting after Thomastown tried to list the former North Melbourne midfielder.

Thomastown president Rob Mazniovski told this masthead Thomas had been keen to play after doing some training at the club.

The board decided to decline registration for the 25-year-old, who was sacked by the Kangaroos in February last year after repeated conduct breaches and a pattern of poor behaviour towards women.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – November 21, 2024: Disgraced former North Melbourne midfielderTarryn Thomas leaves Broadmeadows court. Thomas is accused of making a series of allegedly harassing phone calls to his former partner after he was axed by the Kangaroos in May. Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

The decision was made late last month before Thomas was allegedly caught in possession of drugs in an incident that could see him charged on summons after searching a Lamborghini parked in a no-standing zone.

The AFL said earlier this year Thomas was eligible to play at a state-league with no affiliation to an AFL club.

The Northern Bullants in the VFL and Swan Districts in the WAFL both expressed interest but ultimately didn’t go ahead with recruiting him.

The AFL has also given approval for Thomas to play local football but it appears he is out of options at any level or in any state.

Thomastown sought to register him, but the league said it would require board approval.

The league met on April 29 and after a 45-meeting chose to reject the approach.

In a statement, Northern league CEO Martin Stillman said: “The Northern Football Netball League directors met … to consider an application from the Thomastown Football Club for the registration of Tarryn Thomas.

“After considering all aspects related to this application, the board unanimously decided to decline Thomastown’s request of registration of Tarryn Thomas for the 2025 season.’’

Thomastown contacted the league on Sunday, May 4, saying it accepted the decision.

That day it was reported that Thomas had allegedly been found in possession of drugs.

Earlier in the season two other clubs contacted the Northern league about the possibility of registering Thomas, but they ultimately did not pursue the matter.

Thomastown decided against bringing Tarryn Thomas to their club. Picture: Andy Brownbill

It’s understood the Northern league was concerned about the ramifications for the competition and the club of taking in Thomas.

The league runs female football and junior and senior netball competitions, and has female staff and board members.

Mazniovski said Thomas had friends at the club, had watched a lot of games last year and did some training.

“He’s been nothing but respectful with everyone he’s crossed paths with,’’ he said.

“It (registration) is something we thought about at great length.

“We know Tarryn has obviously made some mistakes in the past – as a young man he’s made mistakes – and it’s cost him his AFL career and we’re just trying to provide a platform at a local community club where he can hopefully get back involved in the sport in some way, shape or form in the future.’’

Tarryn Thomas in action for North Melbourne in 2023. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

Mazniovski said Thomas was disappointed in the league’s decision.

“Naturally. I just think he wants to play the sport again,’’ he said.

“We have to respect the league’s findings.

“Tarryn will no doubt continue to be at our club watching from afar at some level, for the rest of the year, I’d say. We’re a community club built on fairness, inclusion and opportunity. That’s what we have to provide to everyone. We don’t judge people on past mistakes.’’

Thomas’ lawyer continues to work with the AFLPA to gain clarification on his AFL status despite the league not yet considering whether he will ever be eligible to play AFL again.

He is also assessing his legal options against the AFL.

Thomas has been seeking some kind of documentation from the AFL that makes clear he did not physically harm any of the women involved in his conduct breaches.

Originally published as Tarryn Thomas was turned down by Thomastown Football Netball Club as former Roo continues search for new home