- Brad Scott has called on clubs to give Tarryn Thomas a second chance
- The 24-year-old was sacked following allegations about his behaviour.
- But Scott says Thomas is “a good person” and needs to be welcomed back.
Brad Scott believes AFL clubs should look to extend an olive branch to Tarryn Thomas as the Essendon coach insisted the troubled star deserves a second chance in football.
Thomas, 24, is without a club after being sacked by North Melbourne in February after further allegations emerged about his behavior towards women.
He has been placed on a behavioral program and will only be allowed to return to the AFL if league bosses are satisfied he has overcome the situation.
Reports have linked Geelong with a move for the midfielder in late 2024 and Scott, who worked with Thomas at North Melbourne, believes he should be welcomed back into the fold.
‘Do we as an industry just wash our hands and say we’re done with it?’ he asked reporters. ‘Or do we help him? He would rather sit me in the aid camp.
Brad Scott has backed Tarryn Thomas to be allowed to return to the AFL
Thomas was sacked by North Melbourne following allegations about his behavior towards women
But Scott says Thomas is “a good person” and deserves a second chance.
‘I’ve known Tarryn since I was 14. My opinion is that she is a good person. But has she made some terrible mistakes? Yes, he has and he is the first to admit it.’
Scott was appointed Essendon manager last summer and Seven reports that he met with Thomas over a move to the Bombers, only for the midfielder to opt to stay at Arden Street.
The AFL could face uncomfortable questions surrounding Thomas’ return as the sport makes its stance against domestic violence public during this weekend’s round of matches.
‘I feel very uncomfortable with that. I understand the whole premise of forgiveness and opportunities, he’s had a number of opportunities with his alleged behaviour,” football great Jimmy Bartel said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
‘But at some point there has to be a fork in the road, because the forgiveness angle hasn’t worked. In fact, the numbers are getting worse.
‘I was part of a campaign that was seven years ago, trying to very visually put the AFL as a leader, saying no to domestic violence, starting conversations, parents with children. And we are getting worse.
‘So I understand your premise that the AFL we can lead the charge, we can rehabilitate, we can be leaders in this space. But all this forgiving, trying again, trying again doesn’t work. So at some point, what’s happened in the past… we actually have to go in a little more different direction. I lean a little more toward zero tolerance than others because that’s personal to me.
“I’m open to all discussions, but I feel incredibly uncomfortable because we’re going to have players arm in arm and another woman dies… I just find it very difficult.”
The AFL found Thomas guilty of misconduct after he was found guilty of threatening a woman via direct messages on social media.
Ultimately, the AFL will have the final say on whether Thomas will even be able to train with a club and will also seek its own assurances about his behaviour.
“Thomas is not available to play at any level of Australian football until his 18-match suspension is completed on July 22 and is subject to completion of his ban and satisfactory progress through his behavioral change programme,” the spokesperson said. of the AFL, Jay Allen. .
‘Both require AFL approval, and neither has happened. Thomas will only be able to train with another club (at any level) if approved by the AFL, which has also not happened.