AFL 2024: League set to hand down significant Tarryn Thomas suspension

North Melbourne is bracing for a huge ban to midfielder Tarryn Thomas – one which could spell the end for the troubled star’s career in blue and white.

MELBOURNE - June 29 : North Melbourne training at Arden St Oval. Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos during todays session . Photo by Michael Klein.

Tarryn Thomas’ career at North Melbourne could be over within days as the Roos brace for an AFL suspension of up to 18 weeks for their wayward star.

On Monday the AFL made clear its integrity department investigation into fresh allegations of domestic violence was not yet resolved.

The league on Monday denied its AFL Commission had ratified the penalty as the Roos and AFL integrity department work through the likely penalty.

But a suspension of that length has been raised in discussions by the AFL and North Melbourne as all parties work through the eventual outcome.

It is understood Thomas’ latest transgression allegedly involved abuse of a female known to the player through social media or text messages.

Last year Thomas avoided a conviction after threatening to distribute intimate videos of his former partner in communications a magistrate labelled “”harassing, inappropriate (and) unacceptable”.

As the Herald Sun reported last week the Roos are bracing for a lengthy suspension given the AFL’s view that the most recent allegations are extremely serious.

An 18-week suspension could give the Roos cause to cut ties with Thomas given continuing issues over his conduct, adherence to a club-sanctioned education program, training standards amid three separate allegations against women.

It is understood the Roos would consider Thomas’ rights under the collective bargaining agreement but could consider whether they can sever his contract.

North Melbourne head of football Todd Viney said on Monday the club would await a finding and then “think about our position” in relation to Thomas’ future.

Last year amid a series of allegations Viney said Thomas could behave himself in or out of the football club.

The Roos have clearly run out of patience with Thomas from a long-term perspective and as they seek to improve their culture it seems extremely unlikely he will be at North Melbourne next season.

Tarryn Thomas leaving AFL house last month. Picture: Brendan Beckett

A lengthy ban would also throw into doubt a potential AFL return this year at Arden Street given he would need to spend time in the VFL to prove his fitness.

Thomas is in the last season of a lucrative contract that pays him between $600,000-$700,000 this season.

But if he did secure a ban of over half the season the Roos would have a tough decision about whether to potentially look to end his contract or keep him on the list as a player who could be traded in the off-season.

“The reality is we haven’t had the information of what has happened on this last investigation,” Viney said.

“We will take our time to have a look at that (the findings) and see what the AFL has found and have some time to think about our next position.”

The Kangaroos would have to decide if Thomas’s behaviour across the past few seasons could be detrimental to the club’s playing culture, particularly with a young crop of players.

Viney said the Kangaroos had remained in constant contact with Thomas during the process, even though he has been training away from the club.

What will the looming Thomas ban mean? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“We have had conversations with him … from the mental wellbeing space to see how he is travelling, particularly because he has been away from the club for a long while now.

“It has obviously been taking some time, it has been driven by the AFL and we just haven;’t had the information through this process.

“So until the AFL finalises their information we are in the dark really. We (have been) really comfortable with the time frame, given the nature of the allegations … because you have to do the right thing.”

The league through its regulations has the power to penalise players through its conduct unbecoming rule.

He was initially 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.

The AFL has the powers to deregister players but even Ben Cousins was only suspended for 12 months after being arrested for drug possession in 2007 and refusing to submit to a blood test.

The Roos have been desperate to work with Thomas to better him as a human being who can also have a long and successful career at Arden Street under Alastair Clarkson.

But as a No.8 draft pick with huge potential, if they did lose him they would also be keen for some draft compensation from a rival club.

Originally published as AFL 2024: League set to hand down significant Tarryn Thomas suspension