AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon insists the league has not finalised a sanction for wayward North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas and there is no timeline on the end of its investigation.
A potentially career-ending suspension for Thomas, 23, appears imminent, but he is still awaiting his fate more than three weeks after he met with the AFL integrity unit.
Thomas has been under investigation since January, when fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman were made against him via the AFL’s respect and responsibility portal.
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It was reported on Monday the AFL Commission had ratified an 18-week suspension, but this has not been confirmed.
“It’s a complex and complicated issue. I don’t have an update,” Dillon said on Wednesday.
“Any decision in relation to a sanction or otherwise for Tarryn Thomas will be a decision taken by the general counsel of the AFL (Stephen Meade).
“The commission will be updated and made aware of it.”
Dillon indicated the investigation had “potentially quite severe consequences” and the AFL needed to be mindful of the complainant’s welfare.
“We just want to make sure the investigation affords due process, but also consideration for all involved,” he said.
Thomas, who is out of contract at the end of the 2024 season, was stood down by the club twice last year, first in February and then March, amid concerns over his behaviour towards women.
He was put through a respect and responsibility education program and spent three weeks in the VFL before later earning a senior recall, ultimately playing 12 AFL games last year.
In July 2023, Thomas walked free from court without a criminal conviction for threatening to distribute intimate videos of his former partner.
He was initially charged with threatening to distribute an intimate image of another person, but this was downgraded by prosecutors to using a carriage service to harass someone.
Thomas was granted a diversion, which meant he escaped a criminal conviction, and was ordered to pay $1000 to charity.
The Kangaroos ramped up their pre-season without Thomas on Wednesday with a promising scratch match win over premiers Collingwood.
Chief executive officer Jennifer Watt and football boss Todd Viney have been dealing with the Thomas situation while players and coaches focus on pre-season.
“Clearly the AFL are dealing with that and we’ll let Jen and Todd deal with that,” assistant coach Jed Adcock said.
“Right now we’re here to focus on footy.
“Right now we can only focus on the players that are there.
“If we start taking energy away from those guys, it’s unfair for them.
“Tarryn’s getting looked after and he’s got people looking after him.”
