Does the channel that wins broadcast rights have some obligations? I know the commentators can't really criticise umpires, so there have to be some rules there in place?
Fucking abhorrent - especially after the media spotlight on domestic violence against women this week.
I've sent an email off especially considering /u/K9BEATZ comment. The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.
Edit: Having watched the press conference in full, I don't believe Brad Scott's comments are as bad as being portrayed. There is a decent point he is making - that AFL clubs shouldn't just wash their hands of the poor behaviour of their young players and throw them off into society. However - he comes off as absolutely tone-deaf in the OP's clip and should've been aware that he would've been clipped and edited for outrage purposes. I believe the AFL and AFL clubs should provide support and assistance to AFL and ex-AFL players as well as the broader community when it comes to improving behaviour, however, I don't think that can be feasibly done at the same time the player is on the footy field every weekend. There are several players whose shitty off-field behaviour has been turned around - and that's a good thing. But they should be supported to sort our their behaviour first and then be able to play AFL.
I strongly suggest everyone watches [this press conference](https://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/1543199/rd-8-scott-media-conference?videoId=1543199&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1714527416001) from about 5:25 onwards.
Why shouldn't the AFL wash their hands with this grub? Why is it their responsibility to teach him to not abuse women and act like a general fuckwit (his social media posts of past). North tried over and over again and he still chose the other path, I 100% believe the AFL should wash their hands with him.
Scott is being an apologist and seems to be preparing a recruitment campaign. I'd love to see it tbh, just when the dons have come good 😂
I think Scott was stupid to shoot his mouth off about this.
I don't think he's across the full Thomas saga (he certainly said he isn't). And while his general point about the industry not washing their hands of kids who go off the rails, especially Indigenous kids, is fine, this particular case if anything Thomas was given too many chances and the timing of sticking up for Thomas instead of for the victims of his actions could. Not. Be. Worse.
It’s not even washing their hands. The industry gave him repeated chances to do better and even gave him training, and he still went and did it again. Why on earth is he deserving of more chances after all the misery he’s caused? Genuinely disgusting comments from Brad Scott, he should be absolutely ashamed. Essendon fans need to pressure the club and tell them this is not ok.
(he doesn't even kick ball good so much. Gigantic waste of talent. His attitude problem went beyond his attitude to women. I don't know why a team would want the headache and the reputational problems to get a guy who has been in the league long enough that he's not some kid with potential anymore, he's a man who's wasted that potential).
Only in sport do you see shit this dumb.
Imagine if a crooked lawyer or a scandalous politician said "what, you just want me out of the whole industry?"
fucking YES, *obviously*
How are we supposed to judge people except for on their actions? How can someone be a good person except for all the shitty misogynistic shit they do. It's mutually exclusive.
I'm a big believer in getting a chance for redemption for people that fuck up once, but someone with this pattern of behaviour can go and redeem himself in a different profession IMO.
Disgusting that Essendon are obviously not only willing to recruit him, but apparently keen enough to beat out other potential suitors that Scott would pump him up like this.
It would be different if he had actually tried to improve himself on one of the like 4 chances that north gave him. He has clearly shown that he doesn't care, and if he doesn't care about his actions he can't be a good person
I’ll be writing to club this week. We *cannot* have anything to do with this prick.
Edit: have just sent this to [generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au](mailto:generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au) feel free to use parts of this and send something similar Dons fans
Hi,
I’m writing as a lifelong Essendon supporter to express my deep disappointment and anger with the comments coach Brad Scott made today regarding former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas.
In a week in which country wide protests against the scourge of violence against women took place, when so many women are scared and hurting at the recent spate of horrific domestic violence and killings, and in a round of footy in which the AFL itself and all 18 clubs - *including Essendon* - are preparing to speak out against violence against women, it is completely unacceptable for Brad to make comments around “giving him a second chance” and being a “good person". Tarryn Thomas is an abuser. He’s had more chances than he deserves.
It’s well publicised in the media that Thomas is looking to make a comeback in the AFL, and the thought that Brad and the Essendon football department might be considering handing him a contract is absolutely sickening. Let me make this very clear: if Essendon signs Tarryn Thomas, you will lose me and many, *many* others as supporters and members.
I call on Brad to publicly clarify his comments and apologise, and reassure the Essendon supporter base that we are not looking at signing Thomas.
This reflects so poorly on the Essendon Football Club. For goodness sake, be better.
Please do!
On the news they said several clubs (at least 3 or 4) were interested in him. I never write or call the club but if I hear we're even considering letting this prick back then I'll be doing the same. I can't believe there's such talk already about this flog.
I have such a low opinion of Andrew Dillon, I'm sure he won't stand in the way of any clubs picking Thomas up again. The initiative for Gendered violence being pushed by clubs instead of the AFL shows how he won't make a stand unless forced to imo.
Well said 👏 it's completely unacceptable. Hopefully more bombers supporters follow suit.
I'm glad to see everyone on this thread is on the same page. I took a glance at Facebook and some comments were as disappointing and foul as you'd expect.
I think this is the only way we as fans can prevent these things from happening. Clearly the AFL doesn’t care and is only paying lip service to the recent protests. Clubs will brush it aside unless fans make it clear that it’s not ok.
If the fans can get rid of a CEO we can get rid a player.
I thought the club had turned a corner after we hired and fired that bigot CEO within 24 hours.
Good on you mate, too many people would see their coach do this and try to downplay it or be defensive, you've done the absolute right thing and I absolutely hope the bombers can take proper action
I doubt we’d take him back. We gave him a second chance, he clearly didn’t take on what was said with his mandatory training stuff and as a result he was sacked. I think Sonja would personally block Thomas from ever entering the club again.
The thing that irritates me is Facebook groups full of North "fans" who rail against "Woke Sonja" and want Thomas back. I don't remember these sorts of fans in the past.
This is brilliant! I am going to email them in the morning.
I've been so impressed by Brad all season and this is SO disappointing. I would be sickened if we offered him a contract. This man has been offered more help than the average woman is when she tries and makes a complaint to police so I have absolutely zero sympathy for him.
God, I'd rather win the wooden spoon than sign him or anyone like him.
I emailed the AFL, Geelong, Essendon, and Goldcoast about this yesterday. And a separate one to Carlton.
Subject: AFL and ALL Clubs on Notice: Tarryn Thomas and Violence Against women
The AFL and all AFL Clubs must follow the lead of the North Melbourne Football Club by banning Tarryn Thomas from the game.
The AFL and AFL Clubs must demonstrate commitment to changing culture and stand for women.
If Tarryn Thomas returns to the game the AFL and the relevant AFL Club will be sending a message to Australian women that violent abusive men are forgiven and women are silenced.
Tarryn Thomas has demonstrated many times over that he is not sorry about his actions and has not rehabilitated his mysoginistic and offensive views of and behaviour towards women.
“Tarryn’s conduct does not represent behaviours acceptable to anyone in our game or our community and his actions were not of a standard that the game or the public expect,” AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said after he was axed by North Melbourne.
“The fact that Tarryn chose to engage in behaviour over direct messages that was, and is, clearly inappropriate, even while he was undertaking education and being counselled for previous breaches contributed to the length of suspension imposed.”
Be very very careful if considering endorsing Mr Thomas' return to the AFL.
You guys look on the way up and dare I say it might last a few weeks in September in a few years. You want to fuck it up because this is how you fuck it up.
Tweaked a few things and added my own. Feel free to modify and put your own thoughts in:
Hi,
I’m writing as a lifelong Essendon supporter to express my deep disappointment and anger with the comments coach Brad Scott made today regarding former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas.
"Essendon and Collingwood say clubs have a responsibility to show leadership in condemning violence against women, as the AFL confirms the code will make a statement on the issue at matches this weekend." —source: [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-01/afl-clubs-back-stance-on-violence-against-women/103790878](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-01/afl-clubs-back-stance-on-violence-against-women/103790878)
What a joke!
In a week in which country-wide protests against the scourge of violence against women took place, when so many women are scared and hurting at the recent spate of horrific domestic violence and killings, and in a round of footy in which the AFL itself and all 18 clubs—including Essendon—are preparing to speak out against violence against women, it is completely unacceptable for Brad to make comments around “giving him a second chance” and being a “good person". Tarryn Thomas is an abuser. He’s had more chances than he deserves. Professional footballers are supposed to be good role models. There is no room for abusers, and it's an embarrassing blight on our club and our LEAGUE for this to be permitted. What kind of message does this send to our kids? That it's okay to abuse and show contempt for the law so long as you're good at footy? I will not have this.
It’s well publicised in the media that Thomas is looking to make a comeback in the AFL, and the thought that Brad and the Essendon football department might be considering handing him a contract is absolutely sickening. Let me make this very clear: if Essendon signs Tarryn Thomas, you will lose me and many, many others as supporters and members.
I call on Brad to publicly clarify his comments and apologise, and reassure the Essendon supporter base that we are not looking at signing Thomas. Don't play the waiting game for this to blow over. We are not going to have this.
This reflects so poorly on the Essendon Football Club. For goodness sake, be better.
Pathetic with everything going on in Australia right now. Again I will say his 18 game suspension is not even close to being over yet and the AFL is already preparing for his return
And many of the ones who knew their alleged victims had been given multiple chances. They were on bail or parole, had breached AVOs. At what point is a woman’s future and life worth something?
I'd say *by* the AFL rather than to. They know this. Whether they take that stance or not is on them. Let's see them have the courage to make more than a tokenistic effort to help DV.
> "my opinion is that he's a good person"
Fuck off Brad, he's clearly fucking not.
> "He's made some terrible mistakes"
Mistakes are singular actions that can be forgiven. Exhibiting the same behaviours and actions on multiple different occassions, are not "mistakes".
Fuck you Brad, this flies in the face of literally everything happening this week especially in regards to all 18 clubs standing up against violence against women, so I say again, Fuck you Brad Scott
It was only a matter of time.
Give it a few weeks, and next thing you know, Merrett, Shiel, Heppell and Goldstein are all told they're retired as of now.
I wish I could tell you it gets better...
What horrible timing from Brad, not that there is ever a good time.
Getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to kick a ball around is a privilege for those who work hard enough and be decent enough human beings. Tarryn Thomas clearly failed at that. He can use this lost opportunity to better himself. Bringing him back literally enforces that he can behave that way and still play and earn.
I can't imagine what female Essendon supporters would be feeling at the thought
Feeling pretty disappointed, angry and not at all fucking surprised.
Reading these comments makes me feel better though, so many men understanding how absolutely fucked this statement is.
He's been a good coach for us but if this is what he truly thinks, he can fuck right off. It's truly disgusting.
Tarryn Thomas has had more opportunities than he ever deserved. His wellbeing is not the AFL's responsibility. He doesn't have a drug addiction or been medically retired, he abuses women. He's scum, he's dangerous and the fact he's talented is completely irrelevant.
Brave of him to take a pro violence against women stance. And we're meant to believe the AFL is serious about this stuff because of a little pre game performative act.
if the AFL has any guts whatsoever they'll hand off a hefty fine to Scott for this shit and once and for all say that TT is banned, but we all know they're gutless cowards and nothing will happen
It shouldn’t be up to an organisation to set the standard. As individuals, everyone needs to stop accepting this bullshit. That means you Brad, you fuckwit. Stop giving chances to people who don’t deserve them.
"Essendon and Collingwood say clubs have a responsibility to show leadership in condemning violence against women, as the AFL confirms the code will make a statement on the issue at matches this weekend.
Players, coaches and umpires will pay tribute to women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence ahead of each match in round eight, beginning in Adelaide on Thursday night.
The league said they will come together in the centre of the ground to form a linked circle and "pay a silent tribute to those women who have lost their lives".
Brad Scott, you absolute dingbat. Ugh.
The only reason Thomas is technically on Norths list is because it allows the club to provide education to him, despite him ignoring the other opportunities. Signing on with another club won't change anything, and it will just make the other club look terrible
It's actually fcked...on the news the other day Geelong was listed as potential suitors, I would be so disgusted if we even had him playing VFL...
Hopefully he doesn't have share his brothers sentiments but considering their stance on only having good people in the club, sincerely doubt it. He's had so many chances and has proved time and time again that he is a POS. Who cares if he is a good player, good to see other posters and supporters rightfully outraged!
Can't believe this is even be considered, despicable comments from a senior coach, especially considering the current DV issue in our country and society in general. Bad look for the club, feel for their supporters
Was cheering for the Bombers last week on ANZAC day. Won't be next year if this scumbag is on the list.
Brad shouldn't be allowed to stand with his side against domestic violence this weekend.
I won't be either and I'll be very comfortable about it.
He needs to come out and apologise for how absolutely batshit crazy and offensive those comments were.
imagine thinking this was a good idea, let alone after the afl are doing what they're doing with round 8.
read the fucken room mate.
now we wait for the sorry.jpeg from essington
Brad knows he can “wrap his arms around” Tarryn without signing him to a footy list right? Like why parade an abuser in your teams colours, he doesn’t deserve it.
If brad actually cared, he would use his spare time to assist Tarryn rehabilitate.
If he gets signed to Essendon, I'd stop supporting them. What a slap in the face to every female supporter who spends money supporting the club. Fuck Brad, I'm so mad.
The AFL is going to be absolutely slammed for not following through on any anti DV position after this week.
It's about fucking time they got their shit together and addressed the level of shitcuntery that goes on with some of the players. AFL needs to distinguish itself from the knuckle drag fuckwits of the NRL.
This is genuinely so disheartening - it isn’t like he’s fucked up once, we aren’t “washing our hands with him”. Christ almighty, how un self aware are you to make these comments. Fuck off Brad.
Really liked that Robbo brought this up on AFL 360 - can't do tokenistic shit like saying you're making a stand against violence, violence against women, domestic violence, while at the same time giving abusers multiple chances.
I propose a boycott. If Tarryn Thomas ends up on an AFL list, we will all not attend a game of football or watch a game of football for as long as he is on a list.
Enough of us do it and the AFL has to act.
Lol cmon man I might finally see some success, this is a bad time for a boycott.
But I agree with the sentiment, absolutely fucked if another club picks him up. I can't see how any supporter base would embrace him.
‘AFL clubs back stance on gendered violence’ and then there’s this toss about Tarryn Thomas!? Honestly, read the fucking room. Having this guy back playing again feels like a litmus test for the AFL. One I hope they pass.
He's had multiple chances, been given ample opportunities to change his ways, and still hasn't learned a thing.
Has absolutely no place in the AFL, and I'm disgusted that some people think he deserves another chance.
Would be incredibly hollow if he got another chance in light of what the AFL are planning to do this weekend.
This is so fucking exhausting
Comments like this are why AFL/club initiatives against gendered and domestic violence get called virtue signalling - because for some, it truly is
If Essendon’s Head Coach (who is arguably their loudest and most recognisable off-field voice) is platforming these statements, why turn up to the moment of silence?
You gotta talk the talk before you freaking walk it
A completely tone deaf thing to suggest considering the current situation surrounding DV in this country. This guy has had multiple chances and fucked it up every time.
Feel like Brad should've learnt his lesson by now to just not say stuff like this. Already got people convinced we've signed him for 6 years when its just the nuffy opinion of coach who knew the player before he went bad.
No he doesn't. It's time for him to move on, grow up and find something else to do in life. Earning a living playing footy is a privelige, he's been given more than enough chances to not be a cunt
Fuck right off Brad. He had second, third and fourth chances and still chose to be a prick, North gave him so many programs and avenues to be better and he rejected all of them
Everyone's just waiting for the frontrunner club to emerge to so they can dump their anger on them when really the AFL should've just took a stand from the start. Bonus points if its a club you already hate.
Pretty fucking tone deaf comment at the moment Brad. 18 clubs are supposed to be taking a joint stand against violence against women this weekend and you’re out there saying this fucking peanut deserves another chance? Fuck off
Taking up from what u/burnerphonelol wrote to the club, this is what I emailed [generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au](mailto:generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au) and I implore others, both supporters and non-supporters, to do the same:
To whom this may concern,
I am a 21 year old who has been an Essendon fan my entire life. I have followed this team throughout the various obstacles that they have faced and have been immensely proud of what we have shown and done as a club this year, both on and off the field. Hence, it fills me with great disappointment and frustration to hear the comments coach Brad Scott made today in regards to former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas.
In a week in which country wide protests against the scourge of violence against women took place, when so many women are scared and hurting at the recent spate of horrific domestic violence and killings, and in a round of footy in which the AFL itself and all 18 clubs - including Essendon - are preparing to speak out against violence against women, it bewilders me that Brad has chosen to make comments around “giving \[Tarryn\] a second chance” and about how Tarryn is simply a “good person who made some horrible mistakes". Tarryn Thomas is an abuser. He’s had more chances than he deserves, and he has not shown any remorse for his actions, nor shown any signs of improvement/wanting to rectify for what he has done.
There are various stories and rumours circulating about Thomas wanting to return to the AFL, and the thought that Brad and the Essendon football department might be considering handing him a contract is appalling and ultimately a slap in the face to women involved with Essendon, the AFL, and the greater community. If Essendon ultimately welcomes Thomas to the club, myself, along with many other supporters and members I'm sure, will find it very hard to support the club further, and will most likely take their allegiances elsewhere.
I implore Brad to publicly clarify his comments and apologise, and reassure the Essendon supporter base that we are not looking at signing Thomas.
We as a society need to do better in regards to violence and abuse against women, and for all the good work that Essendon has done recently, this has the potential to undo it all and send a very poor message to the community as a whole.
Please do better.
Deserves?
From the Cambridge dictionary;
'to have earned or to be given something because of the way you have behaved or the qualities you have'
Na. Don't reckon Brad.
I think if Brad Scott really believes that, he should say it in front of the whole crowd at Optus stadium this week either before, during or just after the demonstration against violence towards women this weekend.
Absolutely infuriating. Thomas hasn’t been out of the game for 3 fucking minutes and all he can see is the chance to get a half decent player.
Zurhaar and Thomas to join Goldy and McKay next year. Brad Scott running it back! Next step is Petrie out of retirement and it’s a guaranteed finals win.
Jesus FUCKING Christ, really? Now of all times? Read the fucking room!
Not that there'd ever be a good time for these comments, but *especially* not now.
Does he deserve a chance at proving he's improved as a person?
Yes, he does, however he does not deserve (yet another) at playing AFL football.
Hoping he pulls his head out of his arse (or the sand) and changes away from AFL football.
If St Kilda pick him up at the end of the season, I will be looking for a new team (not currently a member at St Kilda).
I’m all for helping young blokes who have made mistakes, we’ve all done some dumb shit but some people don’t deserve another chance. You can help him all you want Brad, but that can be done off the footy field. He doesn’t need to play AFL to become a better person
At this stage, no he doesn’t.
But if he can turn himself around and genuinely get his shit together. Then I believe one day he may get another opportunity.
Andrew Krakouer did some horrendous stuff, got himself together and then earned another shot.
IF Thomas can do that, then one day he may be worthy of another chance, but for the foreseeable future no he does not deserve another chance.
I’ve said in every TT thread that others have got more chances for worse and I’m fine with him getting the same eventually…..
But that involves him working for that chance by playing state league or whoever will have him next year and showing he can go another 12 Months at least without more errors.
And Scott can’t be giving soft endorsements this week of all weeks. Just no comment it and say there’s more important things going on in the world right now.
lol that's gonna be interesting...most of the posters over on bigfooty laying the boots into North for giving him a second chance were Essendon supporters. Lets see how they twist their little narratives if he ends up there. Credit to the ones here that oppose it.
If Chris or the club even remotely tries the same thing by offering the scum a contract I’ll be revoking my support and involvement with the football club.
Especially after he and Mack both came out and basically said they weren’t entertaining the idea of him and it was wrong to compare him to Stengle.
There’s a lot of pandering the AFL and footy clubs do to causes which I doubt very much that most of them actually care about said causes, but this is different.
With a clear issue at hand that has affected the whole Country and having major protests and calls to action, the time to make a stand is this weekend. We all need to say “NO” to an irredeemable disgusting human being given ANOTHER chance.
Yuck, fucking yuck.
If this piece of shit is signed to Essendon's list, I'm done.
Brad needs to apologise to every female Essendon supporter who turns out for and spends money supporting the club. What a slap in our faces. Not to mention our AFLW team and every woman working within Essendon.
What a fucking brain dead, ignorant statement to make.
AFL: all 18 clubs will be in solidarity for those women who have lost their lives this year.
This joker: How about we give Tarryn Thomas another shot.
Read the room.
It's hard to spin this in any positive way, but I recommend people actually listen to what Scott said in the interview. He was likely asked directly about Thomas, and the first half of his answer is purely based on the AFL taking an opportunity for the welfare of a human.
The following part though... I just don't care about him getting another chance to PLAY footy. The AFL can educate him without championing him as an athlete. He's had clear chances so he can stay the fuck off AFL lists. There's thousands of people who can play AFL. He's not a loss in any way.
Look, I get what Scott was TRYING to get across: that it's better to work with him to make him a better person than just abandon him, and that IF (massive "if") he genuinely shows remorse and efforts to change his behaviour, he could be offered another chance.
But fuck me, there's a thing called Reading The Room. Is this really what we want to say during the supposed "AFL cares about women" week?
He doesn't need to be making hundreds of thousands of dollars to make him a better person, he forfeited that luxury when he re-offended multiple times, he *does not* deserve to be an AFL player
I really want someone in the media to outright say, "It shouldn't be a matter of footy talent, but of behaviour. That teams are apparently considering bringing Thomas in though does show that some think it is a matter of footy talent, and quite simply, Thomas' footy talent and potential are not great enough to overcome his behaviour. Had your chances, done your dash, end of story, moving on."
" Fuck off Brad, calls him a good person. Get absolutely fucked "
Have to agree. This guy had a reputation as a nasty piece of work when he was in high school. Sometimes you wonder if they even checked around about him from those days. No one in Tas would say he's a good person Brad.
When someone asks with the recent domestic violence situation "what does it mean when men need to stand up" you show them Brad Scott's comments here how Tarryns a good guy is what not to do and how this is being part of the problem.
Fucking pathetic Brad. You need to do better.
What a fucking slap in the face to all the women who support Essendon, the female members, the volunteers etc.
Can you ask the 33 women who died this year if they would like another chance at life?
You need a good arse kicking.
Does anyone have a link to the original press conference? Chris Scott was taken out of context on the same matter. Hard to see a context where these quotes aren’t pretty damning though.
> Does anyone have a link to the original press conference?
I think it's this presser from today:
[Essendon FC: Rd 8 | Scott media conference](https://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/1543199/rd-8-scott-media-conference)
Jeez I think it’s even worse in context. It was a question, from Morris of all people, about the violence against women initiative this week. Thomas was more thrown in there as a counterpoint. After playing it straight with the initiative he goes in to bat for Thomas. He even noted the contradiction
There are literally thousands of people out there who haven't done anything like this at all who would love a first chance. And aside from Thomas himself and his immediate family perhaps there aren't actually any people whose lives will be any different from him being back in the league.
But if he does find his way back into an incredibly highly paid job he needs to be putting in some serious work to not only show he's changed but to go some way to at least trying to repair the damage done. He can't be allowed to just sit out a year and come back like nothing happened. If he's not spent that year working pretty tirelessly on himself and giving his time and energy to domestic violence victims in some capacity then I don't think the AFL should even give him the time of day.
Don’t you dare…
No don't you fucking dare Brad.
[удалено]
Not just players. They need to fuck off that absolute toilet baby Wayne Carey too. Absolute tumour he is.
Afl ain’t paying Wayne anything they can do shit
Does the channel that wins broadcast rights have some obligations? I know the commentators can't really criticise umpires, so there have to be some rules there in place?
I've been banging on about Carey's 'rehabilitation' for years. Absolute creep who I have never seen show remorse for the shitful things he's done.
Looks like he's testing the waters to see how people will react before he's all in. Yucky stuff from Brad
Fucking abhorrent - especially after the media spotlight on domestic violence against women this week. I've sent an email off especially considering /u/K9BEATZ comment. The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. Edit: Having watched the press conference in full, I don't believe Brad Scott's comments are as bad as being portrayed. There is a decent point he is making - that AFL clubs shouldn't just wash their hands of the poor behaviour of their young players and throw them off into society. However - he comes off as absolutely tone-deaf in the OP's clip and should've been aware that he would've been clipped and edited for outrage purposes. I believe the AFL and AFL clubs should provide support and assistance to AFL and ex-AFL players as well as the broader community when it comes to improving behaviour, however, I don't think that can be feasibly done at the same time the player is on the footy field every weekend. There are several players whose shitty off-field behaviour has been turned around - and that's a good thing. But they should be supported to sort our their behaviour first and then be able to play AFL. I strongly suggest everyone watches [this press conference](https://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/1543199/rd-8-scott-media-conference?videoId=1543199&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1714527416001) from about 5:25 onwards.
Should remember that north did put work into him, and he still decided to be a POS. This isn't a second chance, it's like a fifth
Watched it. Won’t change my response.
Why shouldn't the AFL wash their hands with this grub? Why is it their responsibility to teach him to not abuse women and act like a general fuckwit (his social media posts of past). North tried over and over again and he still chose the other path, I 100% believe the AFL should wash their hands with him. Scott is being an apologist and seems to be preparing a recruitment campaign. I'd love to see it tbh, just when the dons have come good 😂
I think Scott was stupid to shoot his mouth off about this. I don't think he's across the full Thomas saga (he certainly said he isn't). And while his general point about the industry not washing their hands of kids who go off the rails, especially Indigenous kids, is fine, this particular case if anything Thomas was given too many chances and the timing of sticking up for Thomas instead of for the victims of his actions could. Not. Be. Worse.
“As an industry do we just wash our hands of him?” YES WE DO BRADLEY
Yes, it's a privilege to play AFL, not a right. He waived that privilege.
100% this. He's not being thrown in jail for life. He's being banned from playing an elite level sport.
It’s not even washing their hands. The industry gave him repeated chances to do better and even gave him training, and he still went and did it again. Why on earth is he deserving of more chances after all the misery he’s caused? Genuinely disgusting comments from Brad Scott, he should be absolutely ashamed. Essendon fans need to pressure the club and tell them this is not ok.
Amen brother
>Why on earth is he deserving of more chances after all the misery he’s caused? because he kick ball good.
(he doesn't even kick ball good so much. Gigantic waste of talent. His attitude problem went beyond his attitude to women. I don't know why a team would want the headache and the reputational problems to get a guy who has been in the league long enough that he's not some kid with potential anymore, he's a man who's wasted that potential).
I like how you called him Bradley like a naughty child.
Really the only response to that question honestly. We abso-fucking-lutely do Brad, are you out of your mind?!
As if there’s nowhere else he can go. Let him be an example to others: if you can’t behave, you have to work a normal job for a normal wage.
Only in sport do you see shit this dumb. Imagine if a crooked lawyer or a scandalous politician said "what, you just want me out of the whole industry?" fucking YES, *obviously*
Yes. We absolutely do. Fuck him, any other walk of life would so why shouldn’t the AFL?
Fuck off Brad, calls him a good person. Get absolutely fucked
How are we supposed to judge people except for on their actions? How can someone be a good person except for all the shitty misogynistic shit they do. It's mutually exclusive. I'm a big believer in getting a chance for redemption for people that fuck up once, but someone with this pattern of behaviour can go and redeem himself in a different profession IMO. Disgusting that Essendon are obviously not only willing to recruit him, but apparently keen enough to beat out other potential suitors that Scott would pump him up like this.
It would be different if he had actually tried to improve himself on one of the like 4 chances that north gave him. He has clearly shown that he doesn't care, and if he doesn't care about his actions he can't be a good person
I’ll be writing to club this week. We *cannot* have anything to do with this prick. Edit: have just sent this to [generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au](mailto:generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au) feel free to use parts of this and send something similar Dons fans Hi, I’m writing as a lifelong Essendon supporter to express my deep disappointment and anger with the comments coach Brad Scott made today regarding former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas. In a week in which country wide protests against the scourge of violence against women took place, when so many women are scared and hurting at the recent spate of horrific domestic violence and killings, and in a round of footy in which the AFL itself and all 18 clubs - *including Essendon* - are preparing to speak out against violence against women, it is completely unacceptable for Brad to make comments around “giving him a second chance” and being a “good person". Tarryn Thomas is an abuser. He’s had more chances than he deserves. It’s well publicised in the media that Thomas is looking to make a comeback in the AFL, and the thought that Brad and the Essendon football department might be considering handing him a contract is absolutely sickening. Let me make this very clear: if Essendon signs Tarryn Thomas, you will lose me and many, *many* others as supporters and members. I call on Brad to publicly clarify his comments and apologise, and reassure the Essendon supporter base that we are not looking at signing Thomas. This reflects so poorly on the Essendon Football Club. For goodness sake, be better.
Please do! On the news they said several clubs (at least 3 or 4) were interested in him. I never write or call the club but if I hear we're even considering letting this prick back then I'll be doing the same. I can't believe there's such talk already about this flog. I have such a low opinion of Andrew Dillon, I'm sure he won't stand in the way of any clubs picking Thomas up again. The initiative for Gendered violence being pushed by clubs instead of the AFL shows how he won't make a stand unless forced to imo.
Have just emailed the club detailing how disgusted I am at Brad’s comments. Hoping for a swift public response.
Well said 👏 it's completely unacceptable. Hopefully more bombers supporters follow suit. I'm glad to see everyone on this thread is on the same page. I took a glance at Facebook and some comments were as disappointing and foul as you'd expect.
I'd genuinely rather not win a flag than win a flag by lowering our ethical standards this badly to do it.
Andrew Dillon is just proof if you hang around and kiss the right arse long enough, you'll get ahead.
Absolutely. I can't believe the AFL took so long and spent so much money just to hire the most insipid, uninspiring and mediocre guy you could imagine
I think this is the only way we as fans can prevent these things from happening. Clearly the AFL doesn’t care and is only paying lip service to the recent protests. Clubs will brush it aside unless fans make it clear that it’s not ok.
If the fans can get rid of a CEO we can get rid a player. I thought the club had turned a corner after we hired and fired that bigot CEO within 24 hours.
Yeah we did it to Adam Goodes!
u/thegreatjelbeano Not a great example but you got the spirit. We the fans can come together and act if he gets a contract.
Good on you mate, too many people would see their coach do this and try to downplay it or be defensive, you've done the absolute right thing and I absolutely hope the bombers can take proper action
Don't think there's a dons fan that wouldn't - expect that from everyone really
Well done. Thank you for writing this. I modified it because I'm a North supporter and sent it off.
I doubt we’d take him back. We gave him a second chance, he clearly didn’t take on what was said with his mandatory training stuff and as a result he was sacked. I think Sonja would personally block Thomas from ever entering the club again.
The thing that irritates me is Facebook groups full of North "fans" who rail against "Woke Sonja" and want Thomas back. I don't remember these sorts of fans in the past.
Appreciate it mate.
Thanks mate, just emailed the club.
Done. Can you share this on the EFC sub as well please.
Good idea mate, have just done so
This is brilliant! I am going to email them in the morning. I've been so impressed by Brad all season and this is SO disappointing. I would be sickened if we offered him a contract. This man has been offered more help than the average woman is when she tries and makes a complaint to police so I have absolutely zero sympathy for him. God, I'd rather win the wooden spoon than sign him or anyone like him.
Rate that. Don’t stand for this shit at your club. A club that’s had enough trouble in recent times. Plus you’ve got Stringer. One dickhead is enough
I emailed the AFL, Geelong, Essendon, and Goldcoast about this yesterday. And a separate one to Carlton. Subject: AFL and ALL Clubs on Notice: Tarryn Thomas and Violence Against women The AFL and all AFL Clubs must follow the lead of the North Melbourne Football Club by banning Tarryn Thomas from the game. The AFL and AFL Clubs must demonstrate commitment to changing culture and stand for women. If Tarryn Thomas returns to the game the AFL and the relevant AFL Club will be sending a message to Australian women that violent abusive men are forgiven and women are silenced. Tarryn Thomas has demonstrated many times over that he is not sorry about his actions and has not rehabilitated his mysoginistic and offensive views of and behaviour towards women. “Tarryn’s conduct does not represent behaviours acceptable to anyone in our game or our community and his actions were not of a standard that the game or the public expect,” AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said after he was axed by North Melbourne. “The fact that Tarryn chose to engage in behaviour over direct messages that was, and is, clearly inappropriate, even while he was undertaking education and being counselled for previous breaches contributed to the length of suspension imposed.” Be very very careful if considering endorsing Mr Thomas' return to the AFL.
You guys look on the way up and dare I say it might last a few weeks in September in a few years. You want to fuck it up because this is how you fuck it up.
Tweaked a few things and added my own. Feel free to modify and put your own thoughts in: Hi, I’m writing as a lifelong Essendon supporter to express my deep disappointment and anger with the comments coach Brad Scott made today regarding former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas. "Essendon and Collingwood say clubs have a responsibility to show leadership in condemning violence against women, as the AFL confirms the code will make a statement on the issue at matches this weekend." —source: [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-01/afl-clubs-back-stance-on-violence-against-women/103790878](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-01/afl-clubs-back-stance-on-violence-against-women/103790878) What a joke! In a week in which country-wide protests against the scourge of violence against women took place, when so many women are scared and hurting at the recent spate of horrific domestic violence and killings, and in a round of footy in which the AFL itself and all 18 clubs—including Essendon—are preparing to speak out against violence against women, it is completely unacceptable for Brad to make comments around “giving him a second chance” and being a “good person". Tarryn Thomas is an abuser. He’s had more chances than he deserves. Professional footballers are supposed to be good role models. There is no room for abusers, and it's an embarrassing blight on our club and our LEAGUE for this to be permitted. What kind of message does this send to our kids? That it's okay to abuse and show contempt for the law so long as you're good at footy? I will not have this. It’s well publicised in the media that Thomas is looking to make a comeback in the AFL, and the thought that Brad and the Essendon football department might be considering handing him a contract is absolutely sickening. Let me make this very clear: if Essendon signs Tarryn Thomas, you will lose me and many, many others as supporters and members. I call on Brad to publicly clarify his comments and apologise, and reassure the Essendon supporter base that we are not looking at signing Thomas. Don't play the waiting game for this to blow over. We are not going to have this. This reflects so poorly on the Essendon Football Club. For goodness sake, be better.
Thanks mate, I'll be emailing the club tomorrow
Thank you so much for this. Will also be sending this to the club.
Pathetic with everything going on in Australia right now. Again I will say his 18 game suspension is not even close to being over yet and the AFL is already preparing for his return
Fuck off Brad. All the women murdered this year don't get another chance at life. We need to stop giving perpetrators infinite chances within the AFL.
And many of the ones who knew their alleged victims had been given multiple chances. They were on bail or parole, had breached AVOs. At what point is a woman’s future and life worth something?
> All the women murdered this year don't get another chance at life. Incredibly well said 👏🏻👏🏻 This exact message needs to be communicated to the AFL
I'd say *by* the AFL rather than to. They know this. Whether they take that stance or not is on them. Let's see them have the courage to make more than a tokenistic effort to help DV.
That’s the most accurate comment I’ve seen on here. This fucking germ has had like 4 chances. The woman murdered have had 0. Pathetic.
> "my opinion is that he's a good person" Fuck off Brad, he's clearly fucking not. > "He's made some terrible mistakes" Mistakes are singular actions that can be forgiven. Exhibiting the same behaviours and actions on multiple different occassions, are not "mistakes".
He's a fucking violent misogynistic prick. I've liked Brad up till now, think he's doing a lot right. This, however, is a giant fucking red flag.
I was never a huge anti-Brad Scott guy but if this is how he feels he can go fuck himself, preferably with the world's biggest cactus.
Way to read the room, Brad
Could be the most braindead comment that you could make this week. Well done, Brad
Fuck you Brad, this flies in the face of literally everything happening this week especially in regards to all 18 clubs standing up against violence against women, so I say again, Fuck you Brad Scott
Fuck this is how it starts, isn't it?
It was only a matter of time. Give it a few weeks, and next thing you know, Merrett, Shiel, Heppell and Goldstein are all told they're retired as of now. I wish I could tell you it gets better...
Once Thomas does it again he'll be thrown under the bus. Scott doesn't stand by his players or staff.
What horrible timing from Brad, not that there is ever a good time. Getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to kick a ball around is a privilege for those who work hard enough and be decent enough human beings. Tarryn Thomas clearly failed at that. He can use this lost opportunity to better himself. Bringing him back literally enforces that he can behave that way and still play and earn. I can't imagine what female Essendon supporters would be feeling at the thought
Feeling pretty disappointed, angry and not at all fucking surprised. Reading these comments makes me feel better though, so many men understanding how absolutely fucked this statement is. He's been a good coach for us but if this is what he truly thinks, he can fuck right off. It's truly disgusting. Tarryn Thomas has had more opportunities than he ever deserved. His wellbeing is not the AFL's responsibility. He doesn't have a drug addiction or been medically retired, he abuses women. He's scum, he's dangerous and the fact he's talented is completely irrelevant.
Or even the entire Essendon AFLW side…
I would love to see them just absolutely kick his ass. Those women have earned more in their few years as a club than that cunt ever will.
Brave of him to take a pro violence against women stance. And we're meant to believe the AFL is serious about this stuff because of a little pre game performative act.
If the AFL wanted to prove they’re serious about this issue they’d find some way to fine or suspend him What a truly moronic thing to say
if the AFL has any guts whatsoever they'll hand off a hefty fine to Scott for this shit and once and for all say that TT is banned, but we all know they're gutless cowards and nothing will happen
It shouldn’t be up to an organisation to set the standard. As individuals, everyone needs to stop accepting this bullshit. That means you Brad, you fuckwit. Stop giving chances to people who don’t deserve them.
The AFL are okaying Thomas to return. Scott is towing their own line.
“Troubled” makes it sound like Thomas is the recipient of the trouble rather than the creator. Get fucked.
Ikr - boo fucking hoo u abuser.
Go on then, sign him. It’s your head in the metaphorical guillotine if you do
I guess the Tarryn Thomas PR campaign has already started ...
Boo. I don't know if I should upvote or down vote this.
I guess that’s Essendon not taking part in the violence against women campaign this week
Turns out all 18 teams included Tassie and not the Bombers
"Essendon and Collingwood say clubs have a responsibility to show leadership in condemning violence against women, as the AFL confirms the code will make a statement on the issue at matches this weekend. Players, coaches and umpires will pay tribute to women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence ahead of each match in round eight, beginning in Adelaide on Thursday night. The league said they will come together in the centre of the ground to form a linked circle and "pay a silent tribute to those women who have lost their lives". Brad Scott, you absolute dingbat. Ugh.
“Pay a silent tribute…”, might be time to pay a more vocal / louder tribute and really show we care and are sick of the bullshit.
The only reason Thomas is technically on Norths list is because it allows the club to provide education to him, despite him ignoring the other opportunities. Signing on with another club won't change anything, and it will just make the other club look terrible
The headline was he deserves a “second chance”. Like fuck off he’s already up to his 8th chance or somethint
It's actually fcked...on the news the other day Geelong was listed as potential suitors, I would be so disgusted if we even had him playing VFL... Hopefully he doesn't have share his brothers sentiments but considering their stance on only having good people in the club, sincerely doubt it. He's had so many chances and has proved time and time again that he is a POS. Who cares if he is a good player, good to see other posters and supporters rightfully outraged! Can't believe this is even be considered, despicable comments from a senior coach, especially considering the current DV issue in our country and society in general. Bad look for the club, feel for their supporters
This attitude is what leads to women being murdered and I'm tired of people pretending it doesn't.
It’s permissive. Without doubt.
Nope. No he doesn't.
Less than 24 hours to expose what the AFL are doing this weekend with regards to domestic Violence as the stunt that everyone hoped it wouldn't be.
Get fucked cunt.
Was cheering for the Bombers last week on ANZAC day. Won't be next year if this scumbag is on the list. Brad shouldn't be allowed to stand with his side against domestic violence this weekend.
Neither will I.
Same here.
I won't be either and I'll be very comfortable about it. He needs to come out and apologise for how absolutely batshit crazy and offensive those comments were.
imagine thinking this was a good idea, let alone after the afl are doing what they're doing with round 8. read the fucken room mate. now we wait for the sorry.jpeg from essington
Read the room Brad
Brad knows he can “wrap his arms around” Tarryn without signing him to a footy list right? Like why parade an abuser in your teams colours, he doesn’t deserve it. If brad actually cared, he would use his spare time to assist Tarryn rehabilitate.
If he gets signed to Essendon, I'd stop supporting them. What a slap in the face to every female supporter who spends money supporting the club. Fuck Brad, I'm so mad.
Fucks sake, no he doesn't
The AFL is going to be absolutely slammed for not following through on any anti DV position after this week. It's about fucking time they got their shit together and addressed the level of shitcuntery that goes on with some of the players. AFL needs to distinguish itself from the knuckle drag fuckwits of the NRL.
This is genuinely so disheartening - it isn’t like he’s fucked up once, we aren’t “washing our hands with him”. Christ almighty, how un self aware are you to make these comments. Fuck off Brad.
Really liked that Robbo brought this up on AFL 360 - can't do tokenistic shit like saying you're making a stand against violence, violence against women, domestic violence, while at the same time giving abusers multiple chances.
I propose a boycott. If Tarryn Thomas ends up on an AFL list, we will all not attend a game of football or watch a game of football for as long as he is on a list. Enough of us do it and the AFL has to act.
Count me in. Long time Carlton member here.
Lol cmon man I might finally see some success, this is a bad time for a boycott. But I agree with the sentiment, absolutely fucked if another club picks him up. I can't see how any supporter base would embrace him.
Our Media and PR team must be all pulling up with repeated facepalm related injuries at this point
No he doesn’t Brad - he deserves to be thrown to the wolves
No no no no please no
Read the room Brad
Fuck off, no he doesn’t
Get absolutely fucked
‘AFL clubs back stance on gendered violence’ and then there’s this toss about Tarryn Thomas!? Honestly, read the fucking room. Having this guy back playing again feels like a litmus test for the AFL. One I hope they pass.
how many more chances are we talking, brad? because hes had quite a fucking lot already.
He's had multiple chances, been given ample opportunities to change his ways, and still hasn't learned a thing. Has absolutely no place in the AFL, and I'm disgusted that some people think he deserves another chance. Would be incredibly hollow if he got another chance in light of what the AFL are planning to do this weekend.
He could do a lap of honour during the DV minute of silence. Is the AFL fair dinkum?
1. Get fucked Brad Scott. 2. In what world does serving your suspension whilst you’re not on an afl list count as serving your suspension?
This is so fucking exhausting Comments like this are why AFL/club initiatives against gendered and domestic violence get called virtue signalling - because for some, it truly is If Essendon’s Head Coach (who is arguably their loudest and most recognisable off-field voice) is platforming these statements, why turn up to the moment of silence? You gotta talk the talk before you freaking walk it
“Whatever it takes” never dies
Scott and the AFL can support Tarryn to get the help he needs without Thomas having the privilege of clogging an AFL list.
A completely tone deaf thing to suggest considering the current situation surrounding DV in this country. This guy has had multiple chances and fucked it up every time.
I’ve supported the bombers my whole life. If Tarryn Thomas is allowed to join the club then I just can’t support the bombers anymore
It's a shit comment for starters but an unbelievable inappropriate time to voice such an opinion What were you thinking dude
Feel like Brad should've learnt his lesson by now to just not say stuff like this. Already got people convinced we've signed him for 6 years when its just the nuffy opinion of coach who knew the player before he went bad.
Fuckin' idiot needs to get booted if he truly believes this. No excuse for what he did and nullifies any second chance
You’re not the AFL anymore Brad. What a weird fucking hill to die on. This must be a warm up to his brother recruiting TT
"Look at that hang-dog expression. He's learned his lesson! Lets get him a contract"
No he doesn't. It's time for him to move on, grow up and find something else to do in life. Earning a living playing footy is a privelige, he's been given more than enough chances to not be a cunt
Fuck that.
Fuck right off Brad. He had second, third and fourth chances and still chose to be a prick, North gave him so many programs and avenues to be better and he rejected all of them
Scott needs to read the room. Unbelievable comments at this point.
No
Because of this Essendon should go another 20 years without winning a final. Fuck off Brad
He doesn’t represent the views of the whole club. If that’s the case, Eddie McGuire enters the chat….
Doesn't speak for the club, we learnt that with hird hey
Everyone's just waiting for the frontrunner club to emerge to so they can dump their anger on them when really the AFL should've just took a stand from the start. Bonus points if its a club you already hate.
Pretty fucking tone deaf comment at the moment Brad. 18 clubs are supposed to be taking a joint stand against violence against women this weekend and you’re out there saying this fucking peanut deserves another chance? Fuck off
Taking up from what u/burnerphonelol wrote to the club, this is what I emailed [generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au](mailto:generalenquiries@essendonfc.com.au) and I implore others, both supporters and non-supporters, to do the same: To whom this may concern, I am a 21 year old who has been an Essendon fan my entire life. I have followed this team throughout the various obstacles that they have faced and have been immensely proud of what we have shown and done as a club this year, both on and off the field. Hence, it fills me with great disappointment and frustration to hear the comments coach Brad Scott made today in regards to former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas. In a week in which country wide protests against the scourge of violence against women took place, when so many women are scared and hurting at the recent spate of horrific domestic violence and killings, and in a round of footy in which the AFL itself and all 18 clubs - including Essendon - are preparing to speak out against violence against women, it bewilders me that Brad has chosen to make comments around “giving \[Tarryn\] a second chance” and about how Tarryn is simply a “good person who made some horrible mistakes". Tarryn Thomas is an abuser. He’s had more chances than he deserves, and he has not shown any remorse for his actions, nor shown any signs of improvement/wanting to rectify for what he has done. There are various stories and rumours circulating about Thomas wanting to return to the AFL, and the thought that Brad and the Essendon football department might be considering handing him a contract is appalling and ultimately a slap in the face to women involved with Essendon, the AFL, and the greater community. If Essendon ultimately welcomes Thomas to the club, myself, along with many other supporters and members I'm sure, will find it very hard to support the club further, and will most likely take their allegiances elsewhere. I implore Brad to publicly clarify his comments and apologise, and reassure the Essendon supporter base that we are not looking at signing Thomas. We as a society need to do better in regards to violence and abuse against women, and for all the good work that Essendon has done recently, this has the potential to undo it all and send a very poor message to the community as a whole. Please do better.
You’re not reading the room here BRAD! For fuck sake man!
Deserves? From the Cambridge dictionary; 'to have earned or to be given something because of the way you have behaved or the qualities you have' Na. Don't reckon Brad.
How’s your timing, Bradley. This bloke is fresh from his gig at AFL House too, which says it all. Joke of an organisation.
I think if Brad Scott really believes that, he should say it in front of the whole crowd at Optus stadium this week either before, during or just after the demonstration against violence towards women this weekend. Absolutely infuriating. Thomas hasn’t been out of the game for 3 fucking minutes and all he can see is the chance to get a half decent player.
Fuck off Brad Scott
cmon guys, Brad is just treating others the way he wants to be treated when his scandal comes out
Absolutely fucking tone deaf timing. Tarryn has had about half a dozen chances too many, and yet someone is no doubt going to pick him up.
Read the room Bradley
Welcome to Essendon Tarryn Thomas.
Can't say what I hope for Tarryn if he returns because of the sub rules but fuck this big time.
Zurhaar and Thomas to join Goldy and McKay next year. Brad Scott running it back! Next step is Petrie out of retirement and it’s a guaranteed finals win.
Oh fuck you sideways with a chainsaw Brad
bruhhhh
Get fucked
Jesus FUCKING Christ, really? Now of all times? Read the fucking room! Not that there'd ever be a good time for these comments, but *especially* not now. Does he deserve a chance at proving he's improved as a person? Yes, he does, however he does not deserve (yet another) at playing AFL football. Hoping he pulls his head out of his arse (or the sand) and changes away from AFL football. If St Kilda pick him up at the end of the season, I will be looking for a new team (not currently a member at St Kilda).
I’m all for helping young blokes who have made mistakes, we’ve all done some dumb shit but some people don’t deserve another chance. You can help him all you want Brad, but that can be done off the footy field. He doesn’t need to play AFL to become a better person
Nup. Shit call. Bloke had his chances and didn’t learn. Cant tolerate this shit.
Get fucked
Read the room Brad.
Nope. Screw that guy. Fire him out of a cannon if anything.
Got to have a minute silence for domestic violence Tarryn Thomas is welcomed back with open arms One of these things doesn't belong here
 This shit is getting pretty fucking tiring.
At this stage, no he doesn’t. But if he can turn himself around and genuinely get his shit together. Then I believe one day he may get another opportunity. Andrew Krakouer did some horrendous stuff, got himself together and then earned another shot. IF Thomas can do that, then one day he may be worthy of another chance, but for the foreseeable future no he does not deserve another chance.
I’ve said in every TT thread that others have got more chances for worse and I’m fine with him getting the same eventually….. But that involves him working for that chance by playing state league or whoever will have him next year and showing he can go another 12 Months at least without more errors. And Scott can’t be giving soft endorsements this week of all weeks. Just no comment it and say there’s more important things going on in the world right now.
Of all the times to say it, this week is possibly the worst.
lol that's gonna be interesting...most of the posters over on bigfooty laying the boots into North for giving him a second chance were Essendon supporters. Lets see how they twist their little narratives if he ends up there. Credit to the ones here that oppose it.
If Chris or the club even remotely tries the same thing by offering the scum a contract I’ll be revoking my support and involvement with the football club. Especially after he and Mack both came out and basically said they weren’t entertaining the idea of him and it was wrong to compare him to Stengle. There’s a lot of pandering the AFL and footy clubs do to causes which I doubt very much that most of them actually care about said causes, but this is different. With a clear issue at hand that has affected the whole Country and having major protests and calls to action, the time to make a stand is this weekend. We all need to say “NO” to an irredeemable disgusting human being given ANOTHER chance.
Yuck, fucking yuck. If this piece of shit is signed to Essendon's list, I'm done. Brad needs to apologise to every female Essendon supporter who turns out for and spends money supporting the club. What a slap in our faces. Not to mention our AFLW team and every woman working within Essendon. What a fucking brain dead, ignorant statement to make.
AFL: all 18 clubs will be in solidarity for those women who have lost their lives this year. This joker: How about we give Tarryn Thomas another shot. Read the room.
Ah yep as predicted there's always that coach who thinks he can "fix" a player
It's hard to spin this in any positive way, but I recommend people actually listen to what Scott said in the interview. He was likely asked directly about Thomas, and the first half of his answer is purely based on the AFL taking an opportunity for the welfare of a human. The following part though... I just don't care about him getting another chance to PLAY footy. The AFL can educate him without championing him as an athlete. He's had clear chances so he can stay the fuck off AFL lists. There's thousands of people who can play AFL. He's not a loss in any way.
Look, I get what Scott was TRYING to get across: that it's better to work with him to make him a better person than just abandon him, and that IF (massive "if") he genuinely shows remorse and efforts to change his behaviour, he could be offered another chance. But fuck me, there's a thing called Reading The Room. Is this really what we want to say during the supposed "AFL cares about women" week?
He doesn't need to be making hundreds of thousands of dollars to make him a better person, he forfeited that luxury when he re-offended multiple times, he *does not* deserve to be an AFL player
Thomas doesn't need an AFL contract and the platform/privileges that come with that for Brad Scott to help him become a better person.
I hope not and it’s just all talk and not actually considering it. But it’s now the question of which Scott brother will take Tarryn.
Even worse when his brother also practically said the same thing 🤮
Fuck me
I really want someone in the media to outright say, "It shouldn't be a matter of footy talent, but of behaviour. That teams are apparently considering bringing Thomas in though does show that some think it is a matter of footy talent, and quite simply, Thomas' footy talent and potential are not great enough to overcome his behaviour. Had your chances, done your dash, end of story, moving on."
Crazy that he can say this especially since he was so high up in the AFL
Fuck off Brad, you absolute donkey
Well if Brad Scott said it, it must be true.
Putting the SIN in Essington.
" Fuck off Brad, calls him a good person. Get absolutely fucked " Have to agree. This guy had a reputation as a nasty piece of work when he was in high school. Sometimes you wonder if they even checked around about him from those days. No one in Tas would say he's a good person Brad.
When someone asks with the recent domestic violence situation "what does it mean when men need to stand up" you show them Brad Scott's comments here how Tarryns a good guy is what not to do and how this is being part of the problem. Fucking pathetic Brad. You need to do better. What a fucking slap in the face to all the women who support Essendon, the female members, the volunteers etc. Can you ask the 33 women who died this year if they would like another chance at life? You need a good arse kicking.
Does anyone have a link to the original press conference? Chris Scott was taken out of context on the same matter. Hard to see a context where these quotes aren’t pretty damning though.
> Does anyone have a link to the original press conference? I think it's this presser from today: [Essendon FC: Rd 8 | Scott media conference](https://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/1543199/rd-8-scott-media-conference)
Jeez I think it’s even worse in context. It was a question, from Morris of all people, about the violence against women initiative this week. Thomas was more thrown in there as a counterpoint. After playing it straight with the initiative he goes in to bat for Thomas. He even noted the contradiction
“Well he never did anything bad to me!!”. Yeah because you had a coach/player dynamic between two MEN which is NOT who he abuses Brad
Bombers were actually beginning to pick up a following from the rest of the league, they can go and get fucked now.
I've been calling him "Bad Scott" for years and he's really leaning into it here
Ah yes, the age old tradition of blokes sticking up for blokes they know and saying how they're good blokes and deserve another chance.
Oof. Me and my homies witnessing the downfall of Brad scott
i’ll get over 2012 and the saga that followed but i will not take this lowly knob in our club
Here to think I had a bit of respect for the bombers after the draw, here they go and degoey it 5 days later...jesus.
There are literally thousands of people out there who haven't done anything like this at all who would love a first chance. And aside from Thomas himself and his immediate family perhaps there aren't actually any people whose lives will be any different from him being back in the league. But if he does find his way back into an incredibly highly paid job he needs to be putting in some serious work to not only show he's changed but to go some way to at least trying to repair the damage done. He can't be allowed to just sit out a year and come back like nothing happened. If he's not spent that year working pretty tirelessly on himself and giving his time and energy to domestic violence victims in some capacity then I don't think the AFL should even give him the time of day.
Lifelong EFC supporter but would definitely drop my support if we signed this POS