A leaked email from North Melbourne chief executive Jennifer Watt has revealed the dire warning handed out to rival clubs about Tarryn Thomas.
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 which ultimately ended with the AFL handing him an 18-match suspension in February.
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Shortly after the AFL handed down its suspension, North informed Thomas his contract would be terminated in line with a previous warning that “any new indiscretion would threaten his playing future at North Melbourne”.
Thomas’ name returned to the spotlight in recent times after Essendon coach Brad Scott sparked heavy backlash when he voiced support for his return to the game.
Now an email from Watt has revealed the warning she offered up to fellow club bosses surrounding Thomas’ behaviour.
“(Kangaroos president) Sonja Hood and I have been talking a lot about this, especially in light of the recent challenges we faced with Tarryn Thomas,” the email from Watt read.
“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. 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.
“I make this point to demonstrate the depth of the problem and the need for broad reform (in relation to gender-based violence).”
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire was full of praise for the work put in by North Melbourne and said Thomas’ return to the AFL won’t come easy.
“North couldn’t do any more than what they could possibly do last year and to be honest, they have looked after this player,” he said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“Tarryn Thomas seemingly from that email turned his back on it and didn’t take it seriously and that’s why North Melbourne tore up the contract of a star player – full marks to North Melbourne in this situation.
“It will be interesting to see what he has to do to be admitted back into the AFL.”
AFL great Jimmy Bartel, who previously said he would be “incredibly uncomfortable” with Thomas returning, said his redemption doesn’t have to come as an AFL player.
“They are doing the best they can – if they’ve tried four different programs for him, you can take them there, but they want to change,” Bartel said.
“If you’re still invested in him as a person, which a number of people are in the AFL, still keep that investment going – but it doesn’t have to be as an AFL player.”
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.
Thomas is not able to play football at any level until July 22.
Despite the negative spotlight surrounding Thomas, he received support from former North coach Brad Scott who suggested he deserved a second chance with another club.
“I’ve known Tarryn since he was 14 and my view is he’s a good person,” Scott told Channel 7.
“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,” Scott said.
“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.”