Tarryn Thomas: WA Football set to decide within days whether former North Melbourne player can play WAFL

WA Football is expected to decide within days whether or not disgraced former North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas will be free to play in the WAFL. Thomas — who was banned from playing AFL this season over a string of offences towards women — landed in Perth on Tuesday and will trial with Swan Districts in the hope of landing on the club’s list for this season. He is free to join any State league club not affiliated with an AFL side. WA Football has not met to discuss Thomas’ trial at Swan Districts, but The West Australian understands that will happen in the coming days. Speaking to The West earlier on Tuesday, Swans chief executive Jeff Dennis said he didn’t expect the commission would stand in their way. Asked directly by The West Australian if he anticipated any issues in having Thomas’ registration cleared by WA Football, Dennis responded: “No, I wouldn’t have thought so, wouldn’t have thought that would be a concern, but yes, as part of our due process we will be speaking to them”. He also revealed the AFL had been supporting of the club’s move to bring Thomas west for a trial. Thomas remained tight-lipped as he landed at Perth Airport on Tuesday, flanked by a friend and met by Swan Districts football boss Phil Smart. He is set to train with teammates at Bassendean Oval on Tuesday evening. Dennis said he felt Thomas deserved “an opportunity to make amends”, but said the club would have a “zero tolerance” policy for any behavioural issues, if they were to offer the former Kangaroo a contract. “Absolutely. We would have a zero-tolerance policy, should we end up signing him,” he said. “On top of that, we would also be putting some guardrails up around to ensure we are helping him and giving him every possibility of reconnecting back to community, back into the football community as well. “It’s a long journey for him and when we meet him we will find out how committed he is to the long journey.”