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Banned AFL star Tarryn Thomas could get footy lifeline from VFL club Northern Bullants for 2025 season - but there is a catch Was sacked by North Melbourne Kangaroos Banned from AFL for 18 matches Significant barrier could prevent VFL deal By JOSH ALSTON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 00:00, 22 February 2025 | Updated: 00:00, 22 February 2025 e-mail Former North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas is in discussions to join VFL club Northern Bullants for the 2025 season. However, the deal is contingent on board and sponsor approval. Northern Bullants general manager Darren Bassett confirmed the club's interest but stressed that no final decision had been made.
'The board is going to ratify whether we proceed with it or not,' Bassett told The Age. Thomas, who was sacked by North Melbourne in February 2024, is currently serving an 18-game suspension imposed by the AFL . He was found guilty of multiple instances of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman , including sending threatening messages.
Rising AFL star Tarryn Thomas was sacked by the North Melbourne Kangaroos in 2024 The AFL banned Thomas from playing in the competition for 18 matches in 2024 Due to these breaches, Thomas was barred from playing in the AFL and from joining any VFL club affiliated with an AFL team. However, the AFL ruled last week that he could play for an independent VFL, SANFL, or WAFL club. Several stand-alone VFL clubs, including Port Melbourne, Coburg, Frankston, and Southport, have already ruled out signing Thomas.
However, Northern Bullants remain open to the possibility, pending approval from key stakeholders. Reports from 7News Melbourne and The Age indicate that Thomas has met with the Bullants and expressed interest in joining the club. 'There's an indication he wants to come to us.
We'll go through that process now,' Bassett said. The Bullants' head coach, former Carlton player Rohan Welsh, supports the potential signing. Welsh played 42 AFL games for the Blues in the 1990s.
Drafted by North Melbourne with Pick 8 in the 2018 AFL Draft, Thomas played 69 games and kicked 56 goals before being delisted. Thomas may be able to re-build his career with a VFL club that is not affiliated with an AFL club Thomas was also involved in legal issues in 2024. He was charged in May with using a telecommunications service to harass a woman and breaching a court order.
He later pleaded guilty to breaching the order and was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond. St Kilda list manager Graeme Allen met with Thomas in 2024 before his court case, but a potential contract fell through when the AFL refused to register it. Despite completing an AFL-mandated behavioural education program, Thomas was not granted eligibility to return to the AFL in 2025.
The league also ruled out his participation in the 2025 AFL mid-season draft. An AFL statement last week confirmed that Thomas' progress was being monitored. '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 statement read.
The AFL clarified that no decision had been made regarding his eligibility for 2026 or beyond. '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.' AFL Share or comment on this article: Banned AFL star Tarryn Thomas could get footy lifeline from VFL club Northern Bullants for 2025 season - but there is a catch e-mail.
