WAFL club Swan Districts considering giving Tarryn Thomas lifeline after Northern Bullants reject former Roo

After the Northern Bullants decided against giving Tarryn Thomas a lifeline, a shock suitor has emerged as state-league sides across the country turn their backs on the disgraced former Roo.

Tarryn Thomas’ state league future is hanging by a thread as he considers a move to the WAFL after being shunned by VFL club Northern Bullants.

Most WAFL clubs have already ruled out a bid for Thomas but Swan Districts could become a football lifeline as his opportunities to play state league this year dry up.

In a day of high drama the former North Melbourne star was informed the Bullants board had knocked him back given the threat of losing sponsors and members.

That decision by the board prompted coach Rohan Welsh to consider his future with the former Blues player and St Kilda coach likely to move on.

It is understood Swan Districts would consider pursuing Thomas but the club would need to give the decision further consideration.

Tarryn Thomas will not play for the Bullants. Picture: David Crosling

Chief executive Jeff Dennis told this masthead the Black Ducks “wouldn’t rule anything in or out at this early stage.”

Swan Districts gave a second chance to troubled former Tiger Sydney Stack last year but he didn’t play a senior game.

Perth don’t have the cap space to consider Thomas after unintentionally breaching the 2023 salary cap, resulting in a $25,000 fine and penalty of 15 player recruitment points,10 of which are suspended.

The Demons are also set to welcome their inaugural WAFLW team this season.

Claremont, East Perth, South Fremantle and West Perth have all ruled out recruiting Thomas.

Thomas would not be eligible to play for West Coast or Peel Thunder due to their AFL alignments.

Thomas had been hopeful that the Bullants would see him as a restoration project who could prove he had learnt from his string of allegations of offensive behaviour towards women.

But after examining the positives and negatives of giving him a second chance at state league level the directors decided it would be best to pass on the ex-North Melbourne star.

The club was concerned about sponsors pulling out, members dropping off and the reaction of its local council Darebin.

Tarryn Thomas is still searching for a new home. Picture: Michael Klein.

Reporting of the Bullants’ interest in Thomas had also brought a backlash on social media.

Welsh’s loss would be a blow for the northern suburbs club given the Bullants won only two games last year in a 21-team competition.

But the decision underlines the difficulty for Thomas in finding a new home given his history of offensive behaviour towards women.

Thomas is only allowed to play for non-AFL aligned state league clubs, with no other VFL club interested in his services.

He has had no interest in the SANFL but it is understood he is still hopeful of a late chance in the WAFL.

Last week Welsh told this masthead: “I believe everyone has a right to get a second chance, especially young people. We all make mistakes.

“If I think he’s right for our playing group, then I’ll definitely talk to him. If I don’t think he’s right for our playing group, I’d leave it alone.’’

The strong community stance against violence towards females has hardened attitudes towards Thomas at a time when the AFL is attempting to lead the way, highlighted by the players’ response to gender-based violence at games last year.

Thomas will continue to search for a new home and his right to be in the AFL’s mid-season draft.

Even if Thomas had been given approval to play at the Northern Bullants he would have had to reapply to the AFL for permission, even though the league has told him he can play at a non-AFL aligned VFL club.

Originally published as WAFL club Swan Districts considering giving Tarryn Thomas lifeline after Northern Bullants reject former Roo