Rival AFL clubs appear set to offer North Melbourne a first-round pick for its troubled midfielder Tarryn Thomas following a remarkable turnaround in fortunes.
The 23-year-old had served an internal suspension through the first half of the season this year over allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a number of women in addition to facing court for several traffic offences.
But a return to playing through the Kangaroos VFL team on May 7 – less than a month after posting a provocative video on social media of driving to Sydney with his feet on the dashboard – Thomas been propelled back into the headlines for the right reasons.
By the end of North Melbourne's struggling season, the Lumaranatana and Kamilaroi man's performances were ranked among the AFL's elite since his round 12 comeback.
Statistics from Champion Data have suggested that Thomas has proven to be arguably the club's hottest commodity from his limited 12 appearances – and North Melbourne should not entertain a trade, especially after producing brilliant footy through August.
"His last month of the season, well, he came up as the sixth-highest rated player in the competition," Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne told SEN's Sportsday on Thursday.
"His finish to the year was superb."
The former No.8 selection in the 2018 draft was acquired through North Melbourne's Next Generation Academy after he was first spotted as a 15-year-old playing with the State League seniors for top club North Launceston.
The following season Thomas was the first Tasmanian player to be voted their best state player in both the under-16 and under-18 national championships.
He has looked an AFL star in the making since playing 20 games in his first year, and peaked in a stellar 2021 third season, averaging 18.2 disposals and kicking 24 goals.
But a series of police charges have threatened to railroad his career amid speculation that the Kangaroos had been considering sacking the midfielder.
But Hoyne remained bullish on the future of Thomas going forward.
"What this guy can do in 2024 and beyond, well, I would be extremely excited if I was a North Melbourne supporter if he gets himself fit, has a good preseason, (and) comes back with no distractions," he said.
Thomas ended the season with similar statistics to his 2021, but his block in the final four matches was rated "above elite".
Hoyne has warned against North Melbourne of moving Thomas on through a trade.
Former Roos coach Brad Scott was reported to be meeting with his former protégé in the coming days to talk about linking up with Scott's current Essendon side.
Media analyst David King recently suggested that Gold Coast would be willing to trade one of their upcoming first-round picks to obtain Thomas.
He was connected to Sydney last year where one side of Thomas' mob live, where he was born and also grew up long enough for Penrith to identify the talented athlete to join its NRL development academy as a primary school-aged fullback.
However, any such moves come on the back of Thomas still having one more year to run on his current contract at Arden Street but not withstanding becoming a possible 2027 marquee signing to relocate back for Tasmania's inaugural season.
"I wouldn't let him go if I'm North – or if I'm letting him go, I'm getting something of a significant return," Hoyne said.
"They're not at absolute youth like Hawthorn are. I wouldn't be trading him.
"This guy could be an out and out star. He flew home.
"Those guys forward of the ball, they just impact games and change games – they're hard to find.
"You've got to be really careful if I'm North."
