Anti-domestic violence campaigner explains why he DOESN’T want Tarryn Thomas banned from footy despite star’s shocking track record of mistreating women
- The troubled star has been fired by North Melbourne
- Received a massive 18 week ban from the AFL
- The No to Violence group will not call for a lifetime ban
Sacked AFL footballer Tarryn Thomas should not be banned from returning to competition if he can demonstrate “radical change”, the head of the national peak body for male family violence has said.
No to Violence chief executive Phillip Ripper said the advocacy group would not call for a lifetime ban from competition for Thomas, who he said still has the ability to transform his attitudes and behavior towards women.
The organization praised North Melbourne and the AFL for their handling of the latest allegations against the 23-year-old, who was dismissed by the Kangaroos on Thursday when a league investigation found he had behaved inappropriately towards a woman.
Thomas was handed an 18-week ban by the AFL, banning him from competing in the competition in 2024.
However, another AFL club could sign him as early as next year – likely subject to board approval.
Troubled Kangaroos star Tarryn Thomas was sacked by the club this week after an investigation found he had behaved inappropriately towards a woman
Thomas is pictured leaving the Melbourne Magistrates Court in February 2023
Thomas showed great potential, but his career was marred by a number of off-field incidents involving women
Mr Ripper said the prospect of a return to the AFL for Thomas need not be ruled out, but warned the kind of change he would have to show to be acceptable “wouldn’t be anytime soon”.
“We would say that all people and all people have the capacity for change. If we didn’t believe that, we wouldn’t be doing the work we do,” Mr Ripper said when asked whether he would accept Thomas’ return to the elite level.
“The extent to which people can effect that change is really up to them and the amount of hard work they are willing to put in.”
‘We recognize that for people like Tarryn there is likely to be a long history of trauma, difficulty and complexity in his life. While we encourage him to recognize the need for radical change in his life, we also understand that radical change does not happen quickly.”
Mr Ripper warned that the extent of behavior change required of Thomas means he may never reach the standard required to return.
“It takes a lot of dedication, time and focus, and it takes a lot of unlearning and relearning about ways to interact with others, respectful relationships, appropriate ways to engage,” he said.
“Many people who end up using family violence in relationships come from a history of not having great role models and having to learn new ways of being.
“We encourage him to continue working on that journey of change, and believe it is possible for anyone to create change in their lives.”
No to Violence chief executive Phillip Ripper said the advocacy group would not call for a lifetime ban from the AFL for Thomas
North Melbourne general manager of football Todd Viney said Thomas had ‘behaved outside the competition’
Alastair Clarkson will have to try to lift the Kangaroos from the bottom of the ladder without Thomas, despite his undoubted ability
North Melbourne football boss Todd Viney said on Thursday that Thomas, who had resigned twice in 2023 before the latest allegation against him, had conducted himself outside the competition.
“I can’t read Tarryn’s mind, but from my point of view there are two Tarryns. There’s one you see every day, and the one you see when he’s in a relationship and when he’s having trouble dealing with relationship issues,” Viney said.
“I spoke midway through last year. You either act in, or you act out, and unfortunately for Tarryn and his behavior, he has acted out.”
No to Violence released a statement on Friday praising the AFL and Kangaroos for their stand.
“It’s great to see footy, a bastion and role model for masculinity, saying no, setting clear boundaries and helping shape community attitudes,” Mr Ripper said.
“We are pleased to see the AFL and North Melbourne taking a stand and condemning disrespectful behavior towards women.
“These things are all connected: when influential individuals and organizations expose violent, abusive and controlling behavior, they show men and boys everywhere that this kind of behavior is not okay.”