Ex-North Melbourne midfielder Tarryn Thomas has been cleared to return to the AFL, with the league confirming he has met all conditions required to make him eligible for selection by a club once again.

Thomas has not played at any level of football since being handed an 18-game suspension by the AFL and later delisted by the Kangaroos, following a string of off-field issues, including extremely poor conduct towards women, that prompted a League investigation.

The 25-year-old was cleared by the AFL in February to play at State League level for a non-AFL affiliated club, but the midfielder was unable to secure a contract despite attempts at joining VFL club Northern Bullants and WAFL club Swan Districts.

However, AFL.com.au reports that clubs have recently been notified by the AFL that Thomas is now eligible to be signed as a free agent or selected in this year's draft.

"After completing an extensive behavioural change program, former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas is now eligible to play football at all levels of Australian football, including in the AFL competition (if chosen)," detailed the message that was sent to all clubs.

"Mr Thomas is a free agent for the purposes of the AFL rules and eligible for the AFL draft.

"Mr Thomas was sanctioned by the AFL in February 2024 in connection with a finding that he had breached AFL Rule 2.3(a) (conduct unbecoming etc.).

"Subsequently, in early 2025 the AFL permitted Mr Thomas to return to the VFL and other second tier football competitions but only with a non-aligned AFL club (noting he was also permitted to play at levels below that without restriction).

"Mr Thomas is now permitted to play in the VFL and other second tier football competitions without restriction (i.e. he may now play with an AFL aligned club, if chosen).

"The AFL is satisfied that Mr Thomas has continued to comply with the conditions previously imposed on him, including completing his behavioural change program.

"He remains subject to a good behaviour undertaking imposed by the Magistrates' Court of Victoria until 21 November 2025."

AFL teams are expected to undertake their own assessments before deciding whether to pursue Thomas' return to an AFL list.

Thomas has played 69 AFL games across five seasons with North Melbourne since originally being recruited with selection eight in the 2018 AFL Draft.

Recently, he featured for the Fitzroy Stars in the VACSAL Statewide Football and Netball Carnival held in Melbourne earlier this month.