The AFL career of former North Melbourne star Tarryn Thomas is still hanging in the balance.

Thomas, 24, is currently suspended from playing Australian Rules at any level after an investigation into his behaviour by the AFL Integrity Unit following a complaint from a woman.

The Sporting News has all the latest news on whether Thomas will be allowed to play AFL again.

MORE: Tarryn Thomas suspension: AFL hand down findings on North Melbourne player

Tarryn Thomas charges

It was confirmed on May 21, 2024 that Thomas would face the following charges after this statement was released by Victoria Police.

“Police have charged a 24-year-old Ormond man in relation to reports of alleged harassing phone calls,” the statement read.

“Police executed a search warrant at a premises in Ormond on Tuesday 21 May about 11.15am.

“The man was arrested and charged with use telecommunications service to harass and breaching a court order. He was bailed to the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 21 November.”

How long is Tarryn Thomas suspended for?

Thomas was handed an 18-game ban in February 2024 after he was found guilty of several breaches of the AFL Rules. 

The suspension means he will be unable to participate in any other football competition at any level until 22 July 2024.

Will Tarryn Thomas return to the AFL?

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For Thomas to return to the AFL, the governing body had already imposed several requirements he must meet, including monitoring of his behaviour.

However, fresh allegations against Thomas of harassing a woman emerged at the start of May, putting into doubt whether he will meet the AFL’s behavioural requirements.

Following those developments, the AFL released a statement confirming, pending the outcome of the latest matter, it was their intention to ban Thomas from playing at any level.

“Please note that the AFL will specifically not permit Mr Thomas to join the list of any AFL club pending the hearing and determination of the charges that have now been brought against him and subject to the outcome of those proceedings,” the statement read.

“More broadly, it is the AFL’s intent that Mr Thomas will not be approved to play at any level of Australian Football pending the hearing and determination of the charges that have now been brought against him and subject to the outcome of those proceedings.”

Why was Tarryn Thomas suspended?

Thomas was suspended for 18 games by the AFL after the governing body found he “had engaged in multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times”.

Prior to his ban, Thomas had also completed four different behavioural programs while at North Melbourne.

The club terminated his contract once the AFL announced his suspension.

Which AFL clubs are interested in Tarryn Thomas?

Prior to the recent allegations of harassment in May, Thomas had been linked with a move to Geelong after the Cats chose to not publicly rule out a move for the player.

When asked about recruiting Thomas, Geelong football manager Andrew Mackie said on SEN: “The (Tyson) Stengle story is much known – we look at the positives, and what their footy skillset can be to us and then we work backwards from there.”

Since fresh allegations against Thomas have emerged, Mackie stated the player was ‘not on our radar’.

“I think there’s too much good stuff going on in our game which we should be focusing on,” Mackie told 3AW Football in May.