Controversial North Melbourne star Tarryn Thomas has been cleared to make his AFL return and interim coach Brett Ratten says he’s “pretty close” to be picked to play Collingwood this Saturday.
The Kangaroos have this week ticked off the troubled footballer’s return to the senior stage, though Ratten says it’s but to be determined whether or not he’s match sufficient to face the Magpies.
The midfielder was fined $5000 by the membership for an indiscretion final month the place he filmed himself driving together with his toes on the dashboard of his automobile. That incident adopted a string of allegations about threatening and intimidating behaviour in the direction of girls.
Thomas will face court docket later this yr on a single depend of threatening to distribute an intimate picture.
Ratten stated the 23-year-old was “pretty close” to returning to the aspect, with a call to be made on Thursday afternoon as as to if he’s bodily ready for senior soccer.
“He’s very talented, there’s no doubt about it, but we’ve got to make sure – is he right to go at AFL level?” Ratten stated.
“That’s the responsibility of the team to make sure we perform … we’ll have the discussion to make sure, does he need another one or is he right to go, and we’ll select him on that (basis).”
Thomas had 26 disposals, eight tackles and 5 clearances in North Melbourne’s 15-point VFL loss to Casey on Saturday, whereas the son of Kangaroos legend Brent Harvey, Cooper, booted 5 targets from 20 disposals however is not going to earn a debut in opposition to the Magpies.
“(Harvey) has got a good body of work at VFL level, he’s progressing well – he’s not quite there yet, there’s a couple in front of him that are in the seniors, but he’s doing everything right,” Ratten stated.
“As a first-year player, that’s all you can do, and he’s put his case forward … to kick five, you’ve got to do something right, and he did.”
Originally printed as Tarryn Thomas may very well be again for North Melbourne this weekend
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
