Unrestricted Free Agent Tarryn Thomas - Cleared to return by the AFL

[crankygeese]

Just when you thought trade period couldn't get even more dramatic and controversial.............

Sacked ex-Kangaroos midfielder cleared to return to AFL

Tarryn Thomas is eligible to be picked by an AFL club again

www.afl.com.au

 

[Dez!]

Some team should pick him up to use as a tackling bag.

 

[MarcMaverick]

How many second chances does this guy need? 15? 20?

 

[Sqotty from office works]

North circling ?

 

[Gerard Whateley]

We can hold two thoughts at once: what Thomas did was serious and unacceptable; and a club with proven appetite for oversight might be the safest place for the long, unglamorous work of reform.

And that club is Geelong.

Only their environment - stable, insular, relentlessly adult - is built to absorb the performative noise this recruit will no doubt attract.

If the AFL is serious about supervised redemption rather than theatre, it should do more than merely “allow” Geelong; it should prefer them. The Cats have a documented knack for turning the discarded into the functional - even the exceptional (see: Stengle, delisted to All-Australian) - because they pair duty of care with duty of consequence.

This is not absolution. It is probation with a football attached. Let Geelong set the terms: education, reporting, zero-tolerance tripwires. Which is why the mooted AFL-funded additional rookie spot could prove to be the perfect containment vessel - a sealed crucible where Thomas' progress is measured, not presumed, and where the steady hand of Andrew Mackie

Andrew Mackie

Age

41

Ht

193cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.2

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

6.6

4star

M

5.7

5star

T

2.1

4star

MG

346.7

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.0

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.2

4star

rests on the kill-switch.

 

[Millsie69]

The conveniently dropped story so that it's swept under the carpet of trade week....

Calling Geelong to pick him up. Fit right in with their culture.

 

[MisterMarcus]

Surely the AFL will privately 'encourage' every team to ignore him.....

 

[My_Username]

AFL wants him to have one year to prove he's better before sending him back home to Tas.

Some club with a solid culture will pick him up on a 1 year rookie deal, ride him hard, and then use him as their 'FA' trade to Tas. Purely an investment for the club, with the AFL pulling the strings.

 

[Linekers Ears]

If the AFL is serious about supervised redemption rather than theatre, it should do more than merely “allow” Geelong; it should prefer them. The Cats have a documented knack for turning the discarded into the functional - even the exceptional (see: Stengle, delisted to All-Australian) - because they pair duty of care with duty of consequence.

FMD. What a load of tripe

 

[MisterMarcus]

FMD. What a load of tripe

Joined Sep 2025
No comments about the prelim final
No comments about the grand final
No comments about Marshall or Curnow
No comments about almost anything else.
One of is four posts is aggressively talking up TT going to Geelong.

Obviously an alt and not a real Geelong supporter.....

 

[hawkman]

00Joined Sep 2025
No comments about the prelim final
No comments about the grand final
No comments about Marshall or Curnow
No comments about almost anything else.
One of is four posts is aggressively talking up TT going to Geelong.

Obviously an alt and not a real Geelong supporter.....

Sounds extremely pompous like Gerard though

 

[Lach72]

 

[dmc333]

Does any club not have an AFLW team?

 

[PayFL]

We can hold two thoughts at once: what Thomas did was serious and unacceptable; and a club with proven appetite for oversight might be the safest place for the long, unglamorous work of reform.

And that club is Geelong.

Only their environment - stable, insular, relentlessly adult - is built to absorb the performative noise this recruit will no doubt attract.

If the AFL is serious about supervised redemption rather than theatre, it should do more than merely “allow” Geelong; it should prefer them. The Cats have a documented knack for turning the discarded into the functional - even the exceptional (see: Stengle, delisted to All-Australian) - because they pair duty of care with duty of consequence.

This is not absolution. It is probation with a football attached. Let Geelong set the terms: education, reporting, zero-tolerance tripwires. Which is why the mooted AFL-funded additional rookie spot could prove to be the perfect containment vessel - a sealed crucible where Thomas' progress is measured, not presumed, and where the steady hand of Andrew Mackie rests on the kill-switch.

Brilliant haha. Couldn't help but read that in Gerard's nerdling voice.

 

[Seedsfan]

Does any club not have an AFLW team?

And why does this matter?

 

[dmc333]

And why does this matter?

I'd guess they wouldn't be impressed with him being there.

 

[go_sports_team]

FMD. What a load of tripe

 

[MartinPrince]

Tassie VFL team?

 

[Seedsfan]

I'd guess they wouldn't be impressed with him being there.

It’s really none of their business. He has not been convicted for a start, even if you decide that he is guilty it’s a pretty easy one don’t be in an intimate relationship with him.

I mean on the one hand Nathan Broad released a nude of a girl and got a few weeks ban and everyone moved on. Yet Thomas threatens the same and is out of the game for years.

How many AFLW players opted out of Richmond because of Broad?

On top of that the AFL talks about equality while not believing in it Balta is convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and again gets 4 weeks, yet Thomas is not allowed to play at any level for years after being charged with threatening a woman

 

[dmc333]

It’s really none of their business. He has not been convicted for a start, even if you decide that he is guilty it’s a pretty easy one don’t be in an intimate relationship with him.

I mean on the one hand Nathan Broad released a nude of a girl and got a few weeks ban and everyone moved on. Yet Thomas threatens the same and is out of the game for years.

How many AFLW players opted out of Richmond because of Broad?

On top of that the AFL talks about equality while not believing in it Balta is convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and again gets 4 weeks, yet Thomas is not allowed to play at any level for years after being charged with threatening a woman

Mate, I've got no opinion on it.

I'm just raising what could potentially happen. Would not be surprised if any club is linked with him, there will be whispers in the media the next day about unhappiness from the AFLW players.

 

[MarcMaverick]

He would be a list clogger at best.

 

[B4UShout]

And why does this matter?

Cant imagine any AFLW team would be happy having to share facilities with a guy with his track record...

 

[Wild Bill]

It’s really none of their business. He has not been convicted for a start, even if you decide that he is guilty it’s a pretty easy one don’t be in an intimate relationship with him.

I mean on the one hand Nathan Broad released a nude of a girl and got a few weeks ban and everyone moved on. Yet Thomas threatens the same and is out of the game for years.

How many AFLW players opted out of Richmond because of Broad?

On top of that the AFL talks about equality while not believing in it Balta is convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and again gets 4 weeks, yet Thomas is not allowed to play at any level for years after being charged with threatening a woman

You have really under sold what TT did.

Maybe do some research so you have a better under standing of what a low life he is.

 

[Atomboy]

FMD. What a load of tripe

Not really, Geelong will also be better at sweeping indiscretions under the carpet as well so it’s a win all round !.

 

[Seedsfan]

You have really under sold what TT did.

Maybe do some research so you have a better under standing of what a low life he is.

I stated what he was charged with.