Tarryn Thomas allegedly involved in ‘terrifying hostage drama’, held at gunpoint
Disgraced former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas was allegedly held at gunpoint in a ‘terrifying hostage drama’ in Ballarat.
According to Nine News, Thomas, who was sacked by the Kangaroos before the start of 2024 after a series of off-field incidents, many involving women, was in the Victorian city on Saturday night when two men accosted him and his friend, demanding they hand over thousands of dollars and give away their car.
“Nine News understands that Tarryn told police that two men held him and his friend at gunpoint, demanding that they sign over the papers to their car and hand over thousands of dollars,” reporter Isabel Quinlan reported.
“After allegedly being held hostage for several hours, it’s understood Tarryn and his friend have eventually cut a deal and convinced these men to drop them off at a property where they have managed to call police.”
According to Quinlan, Thomas retracted a statement to police, while his car has since been returned to him.
“We have reached out to his lawyer, who has not responded to our request for comment,” Quinlan said.
“Tarryn has since deleted his Instagram account and it is understood that the car has been found and returned.”
The 25-year old’s promising AFL career collapsed amid repeat allegations of violence against women, with first the AFL and Kangaroos handing him suspensions, before the latter finally sacked him in February 2024 after a new charge of harrassing a former partner emerged.
The league handed him an 18-match suspension at the same time, while Thomas avoided a conviction for the charge, though pleaded guilty to breaching a court order and was given a 12-month good behaviour bond.
A return to AFL football can only be made at the league’s discretion, but seems all but impossible, with no clubs making overtures for his services once the ban expired midway through 2024.
Early this year, the board of VFL team the Northern Bullants met to discuss signing the former Kangaroo, though opted against recruiting him amid intense public backlash.