Tarryn Thomas will return to training via North Melbourne’s VFL program today.

The club has continued to assess Thomas' progress in relation to respectful behaviour towards women and has sought further advice from specialists in this area to support change. 

The advice received is that Thomas will benefit from being in a structured environment. The club will therefore support this via Thomas’ participation in the VFL program.

In addition, Thomas will engage in part-time work alongside his training program. 

Thomas will only be considered for a return to VFL match play should he make adequate progress towards meeting the club’s on- and off-field expectations.

A return to the AFL program will be dependent on Thomas’ continued commitment towards improvement in standards of attitude and behaviour. 

With respect to his social media activity from last week, under the AFL Players’ code of conduct, the club has fined Thomas $5000, with a further $5000 to be donated to a road safety charity. 

Separately, Thomas is due to face court later this year on an unrelated charge of driving with a suspended licence.

North Melbourne CEO Jennifer Watt said the club will support Thomas but he will need to show improvement in meeting club and community standards if he is to move forward with the club.

“Based on expert advice, supported by our own observations, and after building a new plan that will see him working and training with our VFL program, we’ll provide Tarryn with the structure he needs to give him every opportunity to demonstrate the required standards of behaviour,” Watt said.

“Tarryn has now been away from the club for a total of eight weeks across this year, and he has engaged in a series of education and training programs during that time. 

“We have made it clear to Tarryn that the future of his playing career at North Melbourne is in his hands.”

As well as the driving charge, Thomas will appear in court later this year regarding the single charge of threatening to distribute an intimate image.