Former North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas is a potential recruit for the VFL’s Northern Bullants, pending approval from the club’s board and sponsors. Bullants general manager Darren Bassett revealed that both the head coach and management are interested in bringing Thomas onboard, despite his current ban from participating in the AFL or any affiliated VFL teams. The AFL recently ruled that he could sign with a non-affiliated VFL club.
Bassett noted that there is a strong indication Thomas wishes to remain in Melbourne and play for the Bullants, a sentiment echoed by head coach Rohan Welsh, a former Carlton player. However, any decision to proceed hinges on ratification by the club’s board.
Thomas was suspended for 18 matches in February 2024 after being found guilty of sending threatening direct messages to a woman, leading to his dismissal from North Melbourne. He is also barred from being selected in the mid-season draft, effectively sidelining him from returning to the AFL until 2026. The Bullants are now reviewing the steps necessary to potentially secure Thomas’s services.