After twice being stood down from the club for behavioural issues, a North Melbourne young gun could play in the AFL this weekend.
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The Kangaroos have this week ticked off the troubled footballer’s return to the senior level, although Ratten says it is yet to be decided whether he is fit enough to face the Magpies.
The midfielder was fined $5000 by the club for an indiscretion last month where he filmed himself driving with his feet on the dashboard of his car. That incident followed a string of allegations about threatening and intimidating behaviour towards women.
Thomas will face court later this year on a single count of threatening to distribute an intimate image.
Ratten said the 23-year-old was “pretty close” to returning to the side, with a decision to be made on Thursday afternoon as to whether he is physically prepared for senior football.
“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 said.
Tarryn Thomas is in the mix to return to the AFL. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images
“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 five clearances in North Melbourne’s 15-point VFL loss to Casey on Saturday, while the son of Kangaroos legend Brent Harvey, Cooper, booted five goals from 20 disposals but will not earn a debut against 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 said.
“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.”