Tarryn Thomas: Former North Melbourne player cleared to resume football career at state league level

Tarryn Thomas has been given the green light to resume his football career, but will remain banned from representing any AFL club or their lower-level affiliate this year.

Thomas was axed by North Melbourne last February for repeated conduct breaches and pleading guilty to breaching a court order by making repeated calls to an alleged domestic violence victim.

He avoided a criminal conviction last November after police dropped a charge of using a telecommunications service to harass a woman.

Thomas was on Thursday approved to line up at VFL, WAFL or SANFL level - or at a lower grade - with the caveat that he is not represent a club aligned with an AFL team, and cannot be recruited by a top-flight side in the mid-season draft.

“The AFL has been kept up to date with Thomas’ progress, which has included his completion of a comprehensive education and behavioural change program, and importantly a consistent change in his behaviour over a period of time,” the AFL said in a statement provided to Seven.

“To be clear, Thomas is not approved to play in the AFL competition in 2025 or for any club with an AFL affiliation in a state league competition, however as part of his rehabilitation he has been approved to play in football competitions below the AFL.

“He will also not be eligible for the 2025 AFL mid-season draft.

“No decision has been made in relation to Thomas’ eligibility to play in the AFL in 2026 or thereafter and that matter is not presently under consideration.”

Thomas played 69 games for the Kangaroos after beginning his career in 2019, with his most recent match in late 2023.

The 24-year-old met with St Kilda late last season before the Saints put out a statement to clarify that they would not be pursuing the ex-Roo.