Disgraced former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas has been cleared by the AFL to return to football in the Victorian Football League (VFL) after a year-long ban due to inappropriate conduct towards women. The Kangaroos terminated Thomas’s contract ahead of the 2024 season following an 18-match suspension, but now at 24 years old, he is set to join a VFL club not affiliated with the AFL.
Potential destinations for Thomas include Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne, Southport, Werribee, or Williamstown, depending on club interest and roster space. While the AFL has monitored his progress—highlighting his participation in a behavioural change program—they have not permitted him to return to the AFL in 2025 or join any affiliated state league teams. Additionally, he is ineligible for the 2025 mid-season draft.
The AFL’s statement clarified that no decision has been made regarding Thomas’s future in the league beyond this season. His history of controversy, including a secret meeting with St Kilda, has sparked discontent among fans, with many expressing their concerns about his potential return. Thomas, who played 69 games for the Kangaroos since his debut in 2019, has faced significant scrutiny.