St Kilda Rules Out Pursuit of Tarryn Thomas
Club's Decision Amidst Backlash and Ineligibility
Background:
- Former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas faces multiple misconduct allegations, including threatening a woman in online messages.
- AFL Integrity Unit investigation resulted in an 18-match suspension and termination from North Melbourne.
- Thomas faces additional court charges related to harassment and breaching a court order.
St Kilda's Position:
- St Kilda chief executive Carl Dilena released a statement clarifying the club's decision after speculation about a potential meeting with Thomas.
- Dilena confirmed: "Following a course of due diligence, I can confirm that St Kilda will not be pursuing Tarryn Thomas."
- Saints coach Ross Lyon declined to comment on the situation, referring to an upcoming club statement.
Backlash and Public Pressure:
- News of St Kilda's reported meeting with Thomas sparked fan disapproval and social media backlash.
- Fans expressed concerns about Thomas's alleged misconduct and potential impact on the club's reputation.
Thomas's Ineligibility and Future
- Tarryn Thomas remains ineligible for any level of football due to his ongoing investigation and court proceedings.
- AFL will not make a determination on his eligibility until the court case is resolved.
- Thomas is currently undergoing a behavioral change and education program that he must successfully complete to be considered for potential re-entry into the league.
Essendon's Distance from Thomas
- Essendon, previously linked to Thomas, distanced itself from the player in a letter to members.
- Essendon coach Brad Scott, who coached Thomas at North Melbourne, had described him as a "good person." However, the club cited concerns about Thomas's off-field issues.