Tarryn Thomas’ chances of playing state league footy this year have received a boost, with VFL club Northern Bullants open to recruiting the sacked North Melbourne midfielder — but only with club board and sponsor approval.
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7News Melbourne and The Age on Friday night both reported Thomas had met with the Bullants and indicated to them he was keen to play for them in 2025.
The AFL last week confirmed Thomas wasn’t approved to play in the AFL competition in 2025 — or for any club with an AFL affiliation in a state league competition — but had approval to play for a stand-alone VFL, SANFL or WAFL club that isn’t affiliated with an AFL team as he attempts to rebuild his career after multiple instances of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman.
Several stand-alone VFL clubs, including Port Melbourne, Coburg, Frankston and Southport, last week ruled themselves out of signing Thomas.
But the Bullants, according to 7News reporter Xander McGuire on X, are “willing to take the former Roo on board” — but only pending board and sponsor approval — and that Thomas had “indicated he wants to play with them in 2025”.
Bullants general manager Darren Bassett confirmed to The Age his club’s coach and administration were keen to recruit Thomas, but stressed there was “absolutely no guarantee it’s going to happen”.
“The board is going to ratify whether we proceed with it or not,” Bassett told The Age, adding Thomas was keen to stay in Melbourne.
“There’s an indication he wants to come to us. We’ll go through that process now.”
Thomas had been axed by the Kangaroos in February 2024 over repeated conduct breaches and was suspended by the AFL for 18 games.
Drafted by North Melbourne with Pick 8 in the 2018 draft, Thomas played 69 games and kicked 56 goals across six seasons with the Kangaroos.
St Kilda list official Graeme Allen met with Thomas last year before a court case regarding the harassment of a former partner was heard.
That charge was dropped and Thomas eventually pleaded guilty to breaching a court order, but avoided a criminal conviction. He was given a 12-month good behaviour bond under the conditions he remain offence free for the next year and continue to engage with the medical practitioners.
“The AFL has been kept up to date with Thomas’ progress, which has included his completion of a comprehensive education and behavioural change program, and importantly a consistent change in his behaviour over a period of time,” an AFL statement read last week.
“No decision has been made in relation to Thomas’ eligibility to play in the AFL in 2026 or thereafter and that matter is not presently under consideration.”
— with Max Laughton
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