Past #26: Tarryn Thomas [Part III] - [C.Twomey] AFL rules TT is eligible to play in all competitions as of 14 October

[krakouers]

Former North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas has taken a major step in his bid to revive his AFL career, signing with Northern Territory Football League powerhouse Southern Districts.

Thomas met with Crocs officials at the weekend to discuss a pathway back into competitive football, with further talks scheduled for early this week.

If discussions progress positively, the 25-year-old could train with the club and line up for his first game as early as this weekend.

Southern Districts confirmed their interest in Thomas through a detailed statement on Sunday night.

"Tarryn Thomas has approached the Southern Districts Football Club to explore the possibility of reconnecting with football in a safe, structured, and community-focused environment," it read.

"At this stage, the Southern Districts Football Club has not made any decision regarding his potential involvement.

"We are simply undertaking our due diligence and providing our stakeholders with an opportunity to understand his background and the personal development work he has undertaken since leaving the AFL system.

"Tarryn has expressed that he is seeking an opportunity to continue his personal growth within an environment surrounded by strong Indigenous role models - something Southern Districts is proud to provide."

The Crocs emphasised that their environment - built around respected Indigenous leaders - could play an important role in helping Thomas rebuild both on and off the field.

"Our club has a number of respected Indigenous leaders who set high standards both on and off the field, and that's the kind of environment Tarryn recognises can support his ongoing personal growth," it said.

For Southern Districts, the focus right now is on understanding the person, not the player.

"Should a pathway forward be identified, it will be based on accountability, positive behaviour, and a genuine commitment to rebuilding both his life, and potentially, his football career.

"Southern Districts takes pride in the strong culture that exists within our football community.

"If an opportunity does arise, it will be managed in a way that reflects our core principles of respect, inclusion, leadership, and integrity."

Thomas has not played at any level since being handed an 18-game suspension by the AFL and later delisted by North Melbourne following a series of off-field incidents, including poor conduct towards women, which led to a league investigation.

Earlier this year, the AFL cleared Thomas to play at State League level with a non-AFL affiliated club, but he was unable to secure a contract despite training opportunities with VFL side Northern Bullants and WAFL club Swan Districts.

In October, the AFL confirmed Thomas had met all requirements to again be eligible for selection by an AFL club, clearing the way for his potential return to the elite level.

Originally selected with pick eight in the 2018 AFL Draft, Thomas played 69 games across five seasons for North Melbourne before his dismissal.

More recently, he featured for the Fitzroy Stars at the VACSAL Statewide Football and Netball Carnival in Melbourne earlier this month.

Southern Districts already boast a wealth of former AFL talent including Jed Anderson, Quinton Narkle, Ash Johnson, Steven Motlop, Isiah Winder, Lloyd Johnston and Will Rowlands.

nit.com.au

Good, hope he goes well for them

 

[Hatchy1992]

Good, hope he goes well for them

And turns his life around.

 

[krakouers]

And turns his life around.

Somewhere like that too puts the MSD pressure off as well and allows him time and space to better himself

 

[Hatchy1992]

Somewhere like that too puts the MSD pressure off as well and allows him time and space to better himself

Yeh but I really hope that clubs at least wait 18 months to draft him again. 24 months is ideal. Yep. Just allows him the time to better himself as a person.

 

[McKuursma]

Manager doing the rounds to local Melbourne clubs offering up Tarryn to help out with women's programs for next season as part of his pathway back to AFL. Probably needs some more visibility on work he's done to better himself before a club gets comfortable with the risk

 

[Devington]

Manager doing the rounds to local Melbourne clubs offering up Tarryn to help out with women's programs for next season as part of his pathway back to AFL.

As their dealer?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

He is training with the southern crocs up the NT? There was talk of him playing up there a few weeks back can’t confirm if he ever actually trained.

 

[McKuursma]

Debuting for Southern Districts tomorrow

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Debuting for Southern Districts tomorrow

Playing in a stacked side too with Anderson, Narkle,

 

[Luke72]

Manager doing the rounds to local Melbourne clubs offering up Tarryn to help out with women's programs for next season as part of his pathway back to AFL. Probably needs some more visibility on work he's done to better himself before a club gets comfortable with the risk

I hope someone takes him up on it, personally I think it’d be better coming from him rather than his manager. It still has an air of a parent organising a punishment that’ll be done half rsed and not actually learned from.

 

[RightWingRoo]

Debuting for Southern Districts tomorrow

Given that he hasn't played a game in 27 months, the NTFL is the right level for him to come back in.
A decent standard to test himself, but not the VFL/SANFL/WAFL where he'd be initially left in the dust after so long out.

 

[longsufferingsupporter]

Given that he hasn't played a game in 27 months, the NTFL is the right level for him to come back in.
A decent standard to test himself, but not the VFL/SANFL/WAFL where he'd be initially left in the dust after so long out.

Given that he hasn't played a game in 27 months, the NTFL is the right level for him to come back in.
A decent standard to test himself, but not the VFL/SANFL/WAFL where he'd be initially left in the dust after so long out.

Any word on how he played

 

[see see]

Any word on how he played

Direct from one of his coaches:

Just ok. Looked like a bloke who hasn't played for a couple of years.

 

[zoomba23]

Manager doing the rounds to local Melbourne clubs offering up Tarryn to help out with women's programs for next season as part of his pathway back to AFL. Probably needs some more visibility on work he's done to better himself before a club gets comfortable with the risk

I reckon if you asked the women they'd prefer that that outcome doesn't eventuate

 

[amaz199]

Gobsmacked that he hasn't made an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence or start a campaign on recognising the daily challenges. Even as simple as acknowledging the mistakes he has made and contributing to community-driven programs about the impacts it can have.

He was getting paid quite well and he could've put in the work to really change himself. Now he is getting the manager to do the work for him sounding out footy clubs?

He won't make it.

 

[krakouers]

Gobsmacked that he hasn't made an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence or start a campaign on recognising the daily challenges. Even as simple as acknowledging the mistakes he has made and contributing to community-driven programs about the impacts it can have.

He was getting paid quite well and he could've put in the work to really change himself. Now he is getting the manager to do the work for him sounding out footy clubs?

He won't make it.

Rather he be doing this:

Manager doing the rounds to local Melbourne clubs offering up Tarryn to help out with women's programs for next season as part of his pathway back to AFL. Probably needs some more visibility on work he's done to better himself before a club gets comfortable with the risk

Then golfing wth the Carltank bros. That’s how low his bar is

 

[andana]

Any word on how he played

7 disposals. Seemed to be playing low hff