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St Kilda members voice concerns over the club’s potential move to sign Tarryn Thomas

Tarryn Thomas’ meeting with St Kilda’s Graeme Allen has sparked an uproar online from Saints fans, expressing their disapproval at any links to the former Kangaroo.
Glenn McFarlane, Lauren Wood and Josh Barnes

2 min read
August 8, 2024 - 6:03PM
News Sport Network

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71cb56f8acca52c8b572d4c31f94dc5b


00:26
Interview stuns AFL world (7 News)


Essendon coach Brad Scott voices support for former Kangaroo Tarryn Thomas.


AFL

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Tarryn Thomas has split from his long-time manager Ben Williams as St Kilda faces a backlash over its meeting with the sacked North Melbourne midfielder.
The Herald Sun understands that Thomas and Williams recently parted ways with both parties keen to go in different directions.
Thomas is now being mentored by a host of football identities including prominent player manager Colin Young, who is now likely to take him on as a client, and former Collingwood player and ex-North Melbourne Indigenous player development manager Robbie Ahmat.
Young already has several clients who are close with Thomas, and have been assisting him.
The news comes in the wake of Thomas’ lunch meeting on Tuesday with St Kilda head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allen.
St Kilda’s social media platforms were inundated with messages from supporters, many of them threatening to terminate their memberships if the club pursued the exiled Thomas.
[PLAYERCARD]Tarryn Thomas[/PLAYERCARD] after an interview at AFL House earlier this year. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Tarryn Thomas after an interview at AFL House earlier this year. Picture: Brendan Beckett
And in action against the Saints last season. Picture: Michael Klein.

And in action against the Saints last season. Picture: Michael Klein.
A number of fans also contacted the club directly on Thursday morning to express their disapproval over the meeting that took place with Allen.
Thomas, 24, was axed by the Kangaroos earlier this year after an AFL probe found he had threatened a woman in direct messages, with the league imposing an 18-game ban.
He will face court on November 21 – on the second day of the AFL national draft – after being charged in May with “using telecommunications to harass and breaching a court order”.
AFL spokesman Jay Allen told the Herald Sun on Thursday: “Tarryn Thomas is not eligible to play football or sign with any club at any level.”
“He has a pending court case in late November and a determination will be made post those proceedings on any potential eligibility.”
Thomas is unable to train with any clubs at the moment but is believed to be keeping fit and training in private.



His potential return to the game has heightened tensions with footy fans.
Essendon distanced itself from any prospect of a future discussion with Thomas earlier this season, sending a letter to members after coach Brad Scott described him as a “good person”.
The Bombers reassured members it had no intention of recruiting Thomas, even if the AFL deemed him eligible following the court case.
Geelong has also ruled out any moves to speak with Thomas.
Former Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on SEN: “With the Tarryn Thomas stuff, if I’m an AFL club I’m saying, ‘If you want to play AFL footy, that’s great, but go and prove to us that you can go and play at a lower level’.”
“Whether it’s VFL or interstate – I don’t care what level it is – for a year or two years go and put your head down and show that you’ve got contrition and own your actions.
“Only then would I take a lunch meeting with you. That’s the way I would see that. I wouldn’t consider Tarryn Thomas until I’d seen him get through a year or maybe two somewhere else.
“It’s not about the money, playing at the top level and the thrill of being known as an AFL player.”
 

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St Kilda members voice concerns over the club’s potential move to sign Tarryn Thomas​

Tarryn Thomas’ meeting with St Kilda’s Graeme Allen has sparked an uproar online from Saints fans, expressing their disapproval at any links to the former Kangaroo.
Glenn McFarlane, Lauren Wood and Josh Barnes

2 min read
August 8, 2024 - 6:03PM
News Sport Network
0 comments
71cb56f8acca52c8b572d4c31f94dc5b


00:26
Interview stuns AFL world (7 News)


Essendon coach Brad Scott voices support for former Kangaroo Tarryn Thomas.


AFL

Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Follow
Tarryn Thomas has split from his long-time manager Ben Williams as St Kilda faces a backlash over its meeting with the sacked North Melbourne midfielder.
The Herald Sun understands that Thomas and Williams recently parted ways with both parties keen to go in different directions.
Thomas is now being mentored by a host of football identities including prominent player manager Colin Young, who is now likely to take him on as a client, and former Collingwood player and ex-North Melbourne Indigenous player development manager Robbie Ahmat.
Young already has several clients who are close with Thomas, and have been assisting him.
The news comes in the wake of Thomas’ lunch meeting on Tuesday with St Kilda head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allen.
St Kilda’s social media platforms were inundated with messages from supporters, many of them threatening to terminate their memberships if the club pursued the exiled Thomas.
Tarryn Thomas after an interview at AFL House earlier this year. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Tarryn Thomas after an interview at AFL House earlier this year. Picture: Brendan Beckett
And in action against the Saints last season. Picture: Michael Klein.

And in action against the Saints last season. Picture: Michael Klein.
A number of fans also contacted the club directly on Thursday morning to express their disapproval over the meeting that took place with Allen.
Thomas, 24, was axed by the Kangaroos earlier this year after an AFL probe found he had threatened a woman in direct messages, with the league imposing an 18-game ban.
He will face court on November 21 – on the second day of the AFL national draft – after being charged in May with “using telecommunications to harass and breaching a court order”.
AFL spokesman Jay Allen told the Herald Sun on Thursday: “Tarryn Thomas is not eligible to play football or sign with any club at any level.”
“He has a pending court case in late November and a determination will be made post those proceedings on any potential eligibility.”
Thomas is unable to train with any clubs at the moment but is believed to be keeping fit and training in private.



His potential return to the game has heightened tensions with footy fans.
Essendon distanced itself from any prospect of a future discussion with Thomas earlier this season, sending a letter to members after coach Brad Scott described him as a “good person”.
The Bombers reassured members it had no intention of recruiting Thomas, even if the AFL deemed him eligible following the court case.
Geelong has also ruled out any moves to speak with Thomas.
Former Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on SEN: “With the Tarryn Thomas stuff, if I’m an AFL club I’m saying, ‘If you want to play AFL footy, that’s great, but go and prove to us that you can go and play at a lower level’.”
“Whether it’s VFL or interstate – I don’t care what level it is – for a year or two years go and put your head down and show that you’ve got contrition and own your actions.
“Only then would I take a lunch meeting with you. That’s the way I would see that. I wouldn’t consider Tarryn Thomas until I’d seen him get through a year or maybe two somewhere else.
“It’s not about the money, playing at the top level and the thrill of being known as an AFL player.”

StKilda members you say? Didn't they cheer on Stephen Milne throughout his career?
 
I don’t know what’s usually on SEN in the evenings, but it was perhaps the SA version of the station? Anyway, I heard Malcom Blight’s justification for leaving Harry Sheezel out of his All Australian side because LDU had more coaches votes.
WTF is that?!
 
Jeez, TT looks like a broken man in that photo above. I guess he’s realised how much of a mess he’s made for himself. What a waste of great talent. I still remember that moment on the sideline with Cunners when he was much younger. I had so much hope for him back then.
 
yeah,nah

AFL 2024: St Kilda will not pursue Tarryn Thomas, says club boss​

St Kilda has declared its position on recruiting banned former Kangaroo Tarryn Thomas after a bizarre Ross Lyon press conference.
Ed BourkeEd Bourke
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@edbourke6


3 min read
August 9, 2024 - 3:01PM
NewsWire
2f3740cefb9d417418fc2a1fe577a9ee


01:48
Tarryn Thomas parts ways with manager Ben Williams


AFL: Former Kangaroos player Tarryn Thomas has parted ways manager Ben Williams following reports the Saints have shown interest in bringing him to the club.


AFL

Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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St Kilda has definitively ruled out the prospect of the club handing a lifeline to disgraced former footballer Tarryn Thomas following two days of backlash from supporters after it was revealed recruitment boss Graeme Allan had met with the banned player.
Hours after coach Ross Lyon refused to answer questions about Allen’s meeting and the club’s interest in the former Kangaroo, the club issued a statement declaring that “St Kilda will not be pursuing Tarryn Thomas”.
St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena confirmed the meeting had taken place with the suspended footballer but said the club had ruled out giving the former Kangaroo a second chance after “a course of due diligence”.
“I wish to provide clarity on our club’s position regarding contact between a club employee and former North Melbourne player, Tarryn Thomas,” Dilena said.
“The football department pursues a number of players, as it is our job to find the best talent to fit our team and club.
“Following a course of due diligence, I can confirm that St Kilda will not be pursuing Tarryn Thomas.”
St Kilda is poised to release a statement responding to its recruitment boss Graeme Allan’s meeting with former North Melbourne player [PLAYERCARD]Tarryn Thomas[/PLAYERCARD]. Picture: Steve Bell / Getty Images

St Kilda is poised to release a statement responding to its recruitment boss Graeme Allan’s meeting with former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas. Picture: Steve Bell / Getty Images
The statement came after coach Lyon attempted to distance himself from the meeting by refusing to answer questions in his weekly press conference.
Lyon repeatedly said he had been instructed not to comment on the meeting until the Saints had released their statement.
Thomas, 24, was sacked by North Melbourne in February after an AFL integrity unit investigation found several breaches of the players’ code of conduct.
The probe uncovered that Thomas had committed “multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times”.
The 18-week suspension handed to Thomas in February has now elapsed, but the AFL has confirmed he is unable to train or sign for a new club until the league has ticked off on his return.
Dozens of St Kilda supporters responded angrily to reports of the meeting on the club’s social media channels on Thursday, threatening to terminate their memberships if the club recruited Thomas.
Asked if he understood the anger from some sections of the club’s fanbase, Lyon referred back to the statement the club is yet to release.
“Yeah, look, I’m really here to talk about this weekend’s game. The club, to be fair, is releasing a statement – I’m a servant of the club, and that’s the exact instruction I’ve been asked to execute on and that I will adhere to,” Lyon said.
“I submit to the club’s needs … sorry (interrupting another question), I’m just a servant of the club. I’ve had a fair few pressers right, so I understand where you’re coming from, but on that topic, the statement’s all I’ve got for you today.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon refused to answer questions about the Saints’ apparent interest in Thomas. Picture: Josh Chadwick / Getty Images

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon refused to answer questions about the Saints’ apparent interest in Thomas. Picture: Josh Chadwick / Getty Images
“Really simply, you guys have already been informed of, the club executive and the board will be releasing a statement (on Friday afternoon) – I won’t be making any comment on any aspect beyond that.
“The club is releasing a statement, which will detail the club’s position.”
Lyon has played an active role in St Kilda’s list management in his second stint at the helm and met with Fremantle wingman Liam Henry last year to convince him to rejoin him at the Saints.
He was asked if he was shirking responsibility for the meeting with Thomas by not explaining his position on the former Kangaroo.
“That’s a really good question, but I’ll refer you back to that I’m a servant of the club and there’s a statement coming,” he said.
“I’m just going to come back again – we can volley all day, right? And my demeanour is not going to change, I’m a servant of the club, and I’m really here to talk about the Richmond game because we’re coming off a bad loss after being really good for a period of time.”
 
POS Ross having a tanty because the club told him to stay away from Taryn.

The bloke really doesn't give a shit. Defended Milne all those years, walked out on St Kilda, his own behaviour at Christmas functions, drafting that absolute w***er from Tassie who no one would touch and now this. So desperate to win something that he just doesn't give a ****.
 
POS Ross having a tanty because the club told him to stay away from Taryn.

The bloke really doesn't give a shit. Defended Milne all those years, walked out on St Kilda, his own behaviour at Christmas functions, drafting that absolute w*er from Tassie who no one would touch and now this. So desperate to win something that he just doesn't give a **.
Ivan Milat could play in the back pocket, as long as we win premierships, idgaf
 
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