St Kilda have decided against pursuing Tarryn Thomas following backlash over a meeting with the disgraced former North Melbourne player.
Just hours after Saints coach Ross Lyon refused to answer questions about potentially recruiting Thomas, St Kilda chief executive Carl Dilena on Friday clarified the club's position.
Saints head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allan met with Thomas on Tuesday, fuelling speculation the club could offer the 24-year-old a career lifeline.
"I wish to provide clarity on our club’s position regarding contact between a club employee and former North Melbourne player, Tarryn Thomas," Dilena said in a statement.
"The football department pursues a number of players, as it is our job to find the best talent to fit our team and club.
"Following a course of due diligence, I can confirm that St Kilda will not be pursuing Tarryn Thomas."
Thomas is currently ineligible to play football at any level after an AFL integrity unit investigation in February found he had engaged in multiple acts of misconduct, including threatening a woman in direct messages.
He was suspended for 18 matches and subsequently axed by North Melbourne.
Thomas is also due to face court on November 21 after being charged in May with "using telecommunications to harass and breaching a court order".
News of Allan's meeting with Thomas broke on Wednesday night, prompting many fans to flood St Kilda's social media pages with messages of disapproval.
Before Dilena's statement was released, Lyon faced the media for his weekly press conference at St Kilda's Moorabbin headquarters, but repeatedly said he had been instructed not to talk about the situation around Thomas.
"I'm really here to talk about the weekend's game," Lyon said ahead of a clash with Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
"The club, to be fair, is releasing a statement.
"I'm a servant of the club and that's the exact instruction that I've been asked to execute on and that I'd adhere to, and I submit to the club's needs.
"So, really simply, there'll be a statement this afternoon and that'll answer your questions as best that the club can answer at this time."
Thomas was the No.8 draft pick in 2018 and played 69 games for North Melbourne from 2019 to 2023.
His possible return to football would have to be approved by the AFL, which will not make a determination on his eligibility until there is an outcome in his pending court case.
"Tarryn Thomas is not eligible to play football or sign with any club," the league reiterated in a statement on Friday.
"He is not eligible for the draft and he is not eligible to be recruited to a club.
"There is a pending court case in late November and in conjunction with demonstrated behavioural change and continued education a determination will be made post those legal proceedings on any potential eligibility, if any at all.
"Thomas is currently undertaking a comprehensive education and behavioural change program that he will need to successfully complete and then over time consistently demonstrate a change of behaviour for any application on his behalf to even be considered, regardless of the court outcome later this year."
