Anti-domestic violence campaigner explains why he DOESN'T want Tarryn Thomas banned from footy despite star's shocking track record of mistreating women

Sacked AFL footballer Tarryn Thomas doesn't need to be banned from returning to the competition if he can display 'radical change', according to the head of the national peak body for male family violence.

No to Violence chief executive Phillip Ripper said the advocacy group would not call for a lifetime ban from the league for Thomas, who he said still had the capacity to transform his attitudes and behaviour towards women.

The organisation applauded North Melbourne and the AFL for their handling of the most recent allegations levelled at the 23-year-old, who was sacked by the Kangaroos on Thursday when a league investigation found he had behaved inappropriately towards a woman.

Thomas was handed an 18-week suspension by the AFL, barring him from returning to the competition in 2024.

However, another AFL club would be able to sign him as soon as next year - likely subject to the approval of its board.

Mr Ripper said the prospect of a return to the AFL did not have to be ruled out for Thomas, but warned the type of change he would need to display for it to be acceptable 'would not be quick'.

'We would say that all men 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 if he would accept Thomas' return to the elite level.

'The degree to which people can achieve that change is really up to them and the amount of hard work they're prepared to put in.

'We recognise for people like Tarryn - there's probably a long history of trauma and issues and complexity in his life. While we encourage him to see the need for radical change in his life, we also understand that radical change is not quick.'

Mr Ripper warned the scale of behavioural change required from Thomas meant that he might never reach a standard required to return.

'It requires a lot of commitment and time and focus, and it requires a lot of unlearning and a lot of relearning about ways to engage with others, respectful relationships, appropriate ways to engage,' he said.

'A lot of people who end up using family violence in relationships have come from a history where they haven't had great role models and do need to learn new ways of being.

'We encourage him to keep working on that journey of change, and believe that everyone is possible to achieve change in their life.'

North Melbourne football boss Todd Viney said on Thursday that Thomas, who had twice been stood down in 2023 before the latest allegation against him, had 'behaved himself out' of the league.

'I can't read into Tarryn's mind, but from my point of view there are two Tarryns. There is the one you see day to day and the one when he is in a relationship and when he has some troubles in dealing with relationship issues,' Viney said.

'I spoke in the middle of last year. You behave yourself in or you behave yourself out and unfortunately for Tarryn and his behaviour, he has behaved himself out.'

No to Violence released a statement on Friday praising the AFL and Kangaroos for their stance.

'It's great to see footy, a bastion and role model for masculinity, saying no and setting clear boundaries and helping to shape community attitudes,' Mr Ripper said.

'We're pleased to see the AFL and North Melbourne taking a stand and condemning disrespectful behaviour against women.

'These things are all connected: when influential individuals and organisations call out violent, abusive and controlling behaviour they show men and boys everywhere that these kinds of behaviours are not on.'