Brad Scott’s endorsement of Tarryn Thomas played out against the backdrop of emotional scenes Thursday as Hannah McGuire’s family said goodbye to their loved one.
Ms McGuire’s body was discovered in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, on April 5. Lachlan Young, 21, has been charged with the alleged murder of his ex-partner.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett and teammate Jake Stringer were among mourners who emerged from a Ballarat funeral home on Monday to pay their final respects to the 23-year-old teacher’s assistant.
Merrett and Stringer are believed to be good friends of Ms McGuire’s parents, who own a pub in the rural town of Clunes.
The Essendon couple’s attendance at the moving funeral came just a day after their coach Scott publicly backed troubled star Thomas’ return to football.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett attended Hannah McGuire’s funeral on Thursday.
Essendon teammate Jake Stringer was also present at the move-in 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, shortly before 10am on Friday.
Former North Melbourne star Thomas was sacked by the Kangaroos earlier this year for behavior relating to domestic violence against women.
However, he is considering a return to the AFL in 2025, if he completes a good conduct programme, and Scott, who coached Thomas at North, believes the midfielder deserves a second chance.
‘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.
‘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.’
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.
McGuire’s funeral should make Brad Scott reconsider his stance on Tarryn Thomas
‘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.
The troubled soccer star was fired this year due to his behavior towards women.
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.