.png)
5 months ago
23
Disgraced former North Melbourne footballer Tarryn Thomas has been charged with allegedly making harassing phone calls to an ex-partner and breaching a court order.
Police began investigating Thomas on May 10 after he allegedly called his estranged girlfriend multiple times during the day and night.
The allegations were reported to Victoria Police last month, hurting his chances of returning to the AFL.
Thomas was sacked by North Melbourne in February after being banned by the AFL for 18 weeks due to inappropriate behaviour with a woman.
The league found he had engaged in multiple acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times.
Thomas is currently enrolled in a behavior program and can return to the AFL only if league officials believe he has reformed.
Thomas (pictured) was sacked by the Kangaroos in February after being banned by the AFL for 18 weeks
The ex-North Melbourne star (pictured outside court) has been charged over new allegations involving his ex-girlfriend and threatening text messages
Essendon coach Brad Scott (pictuerd) had backed Thomas just two weeks ago, saying he deserved a second chance in the AFL
Some AFL clubs were considering giving the 24-year-old a second chance before the new allegations surfaced, with Essendon coach Brad Scott stating he 'deserves a second chance' in footy.
The alleged calls occurred after Thomas was cut by the Kangaroos and handed an 18-match suspension by the AFL for conduct breaches, including allegedly threatening the same woman on social media.
On Tuesday, a Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed that a search warrant was executed at an Ormond property, leading to Thomas's arrest and charge for allegedly using telecommunications to harass.
Thomas was bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court on November 21 and is banned from playing footy at any level until July 22.
In 2023, he was charged with threatening to distribute an intimate image of a woman, later changed to using a carriage service to harass.
Thomas walked from court without a conviction after paying $1000 to a charity.
In April 2023, North fined Thomas $5000 for posting a video showing him driving dangerously and required him to donate another $5000 to a road safety charity.
The AFL has taken a very public stance on violence against women in 2024, including a minute's silence observed at ceremonies before all round eight matches.
English (US)