Jimmy Bartel incredibly uncomfortable with Tarryn Thomas returning to AFL after allegations of threatening woman, latest news – MASHAHER

AFL great Jimmy Bartel feels “incredibly uncomfortable” at the prospect of former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas being given another chance at a football career, as the league announces plans to pay tribute to women killed by gendered violence.

This year alone 29 women have been murdered in acts of gender-based violence and the national conversation has turned to how Australia can stop the horrific trend.

The AFL, for its part, will hold pre-match tributes during Round 8 to draw attention to the scourge. Players, coaches and umpires will unite in the centre of each ground before games this weekend, forming a linked circle to pay a silent tribute.

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But the league’s vocal support of women will be tested, according to Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson, when the league must weigh up whether to permit Thomas to play at AFL level again.

Thomas was suspended for 18 weeks after being found guilty of misconduct towards a woman, including making threats. It was the third time he was accused of offensive behaviour involving women.

The Kangaroos axed Thomas in February, arguing he had been given multiple chances but did not deserve another, given he had engaged in inappropriate behaviour at the same time he was undergoing education and counselling for his previous alleged acts.

If Thomas completes an education course he could be permitted to play at AFL level again in 2025, with Geelong not ruling out signing the talented 24-year-old earlier this year, and Essendon’s Brad Scott – his first AFL coach at the Kangaroos – giving Thomas his vocal support.

“As an industry, do we just wash our hands and say we’re done with him? Or do we help him? I’d prefer to sit in the help camp,” Scott said on Wednesday.

“I’ve known Tarryn since he was 14 and my view is he’s a good person. Has he made some terrible mistakes? Yes he has, and he’s the first to admit that.”

His view came in total contrast to that of Jimmy Bartel, the Geelong champion who along with his family members was a victim of domestic violence growing up.

Bartel famously grew a beard during his final AFL season in 2016 to draw attention to the cause and spark conversations. He now believes the league has hit a “fork in the road” and is firmly against Thomas returning to elite footy.

“I feel very uncomfortable with it. I get the whole premise of forgiveness and chances, he’s had a number of chances with his alleged behaviour,” Bartel said on Nine’s Footy Classified.

“But at some stage there’s got to be a fork in the road, because the forgiveness angle hasn’t worked. The numbers are actually getting worse.

“I was part of a campaign that was seven years ago, trying to very visually put the AFL as a leader, saying no to domestic violence, starting conversations, parents with children. And we’re getting worse.

“So I get your premise of, the AFL, we can lead the charge, we can rehabilitate, we can be a leader in this space. But this whole, forgiveness, try again try again, is not working. So at some stage, what happened in the past … we’ve actually got to go a bit more of a different direction. I lean a bit towards more zero tolerance than others because that’s personal to me.

“I’m open to all discussions but I feel incredibly uncomfortable that we’re gonna have players arm-in-arm, another woman dies … I just find it very hard.”

He added: “At some stage the privilege has got to run out. Playing AFL football, we talk about this with the drugs issue, it’s a privilege to play AFL.

“It was a privilege to get multiple opportunities. And now you’re being spoken about with the privilege of getting another lifeline? Throw your arms around him, support him, but you don’t have to do that at AFL level.”

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Wednesday night, Mark Robinson argued the AFL must “walk the walk” if it’s going to speak out against gendered violence, with the Thomas decision coming down the road.

“Terrific gesture, the AFL, whether you like it or not they’ve taken some significant positions on the big issues. But I fear though this is going to present the AFL with a very confronting and difficult decision to make in about 14 weeks’ time,” Robinson said.

“And that is whether to allow Tarryn Thomas formerly of North Melbourne back into the AFL system, when he’s been suspended for 18 weeks for inappropriate behaviour towards women. I think it was his third set of allegations against him – now we do note that there’s been no criminal charges.

“But the AFL and the players, congratulations, standing up … and it’ll be a very powerful photo, it’ll be a national photo. But then you’ve got to walk the walk, and you’ve got to act.”

His co-host Gerard Whateley added: “And it won’t be a singular event either. You get judged on your actions after. We understand the gesture, it’s what happens with your actions after.”