Tarryn Thomas, a former AFL player seeking to redeem his sporting career, was recently seen training with Swan Districts, a football club based in Perth. After being overlooked by various teams in the VFL, the 24-year-old moved to Perth for a two-week trial with the club, which has a history of providing second chances to players with troubled pasts, such as Andrew Krakouer and Sydney Stack.
Swan Districts’ CEO, Jeff Dennis, clarified that while the club is known for offering opportunities to those in need of a fresh start, no decision regarding Thomas’s future with them had been made yet. Dennis emphasised the club’s disapproval of Thomas’s past conduct, which resulted in him receiving an 18-game suspension from the AFL and being indefinitely barred from the league for multiple allegations concerning inappropriate behaviour towards women. Additionally, he was charged in 2023 with threatening to share an intimate image.
Dennis described the recruitment process as a careful evaluation of Thomas’s remorse and commitment to positive change. He mentioned that it is essential for the club to ensure they have the necessary resources and capacity to support Thomas effectively, should he join the team. He underscored the importance of safety and wellbeing for all members of the club and stated that thorough discussions would be held internally before a final decision is made.
Despite the club’s progress in engaging with the former player, any potential registration hinges on a determination from WA football authorities, which is anticipated to be announced by the weekend. Although the discussions around his future signal a potential new beginning for Thomas, the path to re-establishing himself in the sport remains uncertain and fraught with emotional and organisational considerations.