Why these photos from Hannah McGuire’s funeral should make Brad Scott rethink his support for Tarryn Thomas

Brad Scott’s endorsement of Tarryn Thomas played out against the backdrop of emotional scenes on Thursday as Hannah McGuire’s family said goodbye to their loved one.

Ms McGuire’s body was discovered on April 5 in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria. Lachlan Young, 21, has been charged over the alleged murder of his ex-partner.

Essendon captain Zach Merrett and teammate Jake Stringer were among mourners who left a Ballarat funeral home on Monday to pay their last respects to the 23-year-old teacher’s assistant.

Merrett and Stringer are said to be close friends of Mrs McGuire’s parents, who own a pub in the rural town of Clunes.

The Essendon couple’s presence at the moving funeral service came just a day after their coach, Scott, publicly backed a return to football for troubled star Thomas.

Essendon teammate Jake Stringer was also present at the moving service

Police discovered the remains of Hannah McGuire, 23, in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, just before 10am on Friday.

Former North Melbourne star Thomas was sacked by the Kangaroos earlier this year for conduct related to domestic violence against women.

However, he is looking forward to a return to the AFL in 2025 should he complete a good conduct program, and Scott – who coached Thomas at North – believes the midfielder deserves a second chance.

“Should we as an industry just wash our hands and say we’re done with him?” he asked reporters. ‘Or do we help him? I’d rather be in the aid camp.

‘I’ve known Tarryn since he was fourteen. I believe he is a good person. But did he make some terrible mistakes? Yes, he has and he is the first to admit it.’

The AFL could ask uncomfortable questions about Thomas’ return, with the sport set to make their stance against domestic violence public during this weekend’s round of matches.

‘It makes me feel very uncomfortable. I understand the whole premise of forgiveness and opportunity, he has had a number of opportunities with his alleged behaviour,” said footy great Jimmy Bartel on Nine’s Footy Classified.

McGuire’s funeral should make Brad Scott reconsider his position on Tarryn Thomas

“But at some point there has to be a fork in the road because the forgiveness hasn’t worked. The numbers are actually getting worse.

“I was part of a campaign seven years ago where I tried to very visually portray the AFL as a leader, saying no to domestic violence, starting conversations, parents with children. And it’s getting worse.

“So I understand your premise of the AFL: we can lead, we can rehabilitate, we can be a leader in this area. But this whole thing, forgiveness, try again, try again, doesn’t work. So what’s happened in the past… at some point we actually have to go a little bit more in a different direction. I tend to be a little more zero-tolerant than others because that’s personal to me.

“I’m open to all discussions, but I feel incredibly uncomfortable that we have players arm in arm, that another woman dies… I just find it very difficult.”

The AFL ruled Thomas was guilty of unbecoming conduct after being found guilty of threatening a woman via direct messages via social media.

The troubled footy star was sacked this year for his behavior towards women

Ultimately, the AFL will have the final say on whether Thomas is even allowed to train at a club and will also seek their own assurances over his conduct.

“Thomas will not be available to play at any level in Australian football until the completion of his 18-match ban on July 22 and is subject to his compliance with both his sanction and satisfactory progress with his conduct modification program,” the AFL spokesperson said. Jay Allen. .

“Both require AFL approval, and neither has happened. Thomas will only be allowed to train with another club (at any level) if this has been approved by the AFL, which again has not happened.”