Essendon coach Brad Scott has lauded former Kangaroos midfielder Tarryn Thomas, saying he would be open to having him at the Bombers.
On the eve of the 2024 season, the Kangaroos axed the troubled player after he was initially suspended by the league for 18 matches for alleged inappropriate behaviour.
Thomas spent much of the 2023 season also bouncing from controversy to controversy.
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Scott joins a list of around "four or five" AFL clubs keen to explore their options regarding Thomas' playing future, according to Eddie McGuire.
The Bombers coach explained his long-time relationship with the former North Melbourne midfielder, whom he previously coached at the club.
"I've known Tarryn since he was 14," Scott said on Thursday.
"My view is, he's a good person. He's made some terrible mistakes, yes he has and he's the first to admit that."
The former Kangaroos coach urged the league to look deeper into finding ways to help reform Thomas.
"So as an industry, do we just wash our hands and say 'we're done with him', or do we help him?," he asked.
Geelong is another side that has expressed interested in the 24-year-old's services.
"I think it is good policy to be open-minded. We believe in second chances," Cats coach Chris Scott told reporters in April.
However, the two-time premiership coach made it clear the club isn't simply saying "yes" to recruiting any player with a history of troubles.
"That doesn't mean you can roll in and do whatever you want, but I think, in principle, the idea of not getting to 'no' too quickly is a good one," Scott said.
But before Essendon, or any other side can pounce, McGuire believes the AFL will have to take some control over Thomas' narrative and if he is allowed to be handed a lifeline by a new club.
"The AFL will have to make a decision on this," McGuire said on 9News Melbourne.
"North Melbourne already have (acted). They've kicked out of their club a player or rare ability who just didn't quite get it as far as the domenstic violence situation."
Thomas also didn't complete required dometic violence rehabilition at the time of his suspension.
"The AFL collectively would have to be really, really convinced that he has worked it through," McGuire said.
The shock call from the Bombers comes as the league confirmed all 18 sides would take part in a moment's silence across round eight to shine a light on gender-based violence.
The moment's silence will be first observed during the showdown between Port Adelaide and the Crows on Thursday night.
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