We write this open letter to the AFL administration including Chairman Richard Goyder, AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon, Paul Bassat, Robin Bishop, Matt de Boer, Andrew Ireland, Professor Helen Milroy, Andrew Newbold, Gab Trainor and Simone Wilkie.

Based on Tarryn Thomas' multiple criminal charges associated with violence against women, we as a supporter base of the AFL call for a lifetime ban for Tarryn Thomas prohibiting him from playing AFL football.

As a society committed to gender equality and the prevention of violence, we believe that allowing individuals with such backgrounds to participate in prominent sports like the Australian Football League (AFL) sends a negative message. According to statistics from The Australian Institute of Criminology, one in six Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner (sourced from The Australian Institute of Criminology 2020 survey).

In February 2024, the AFL banned Thomas for 18 matches after its Integrity Unit found him guilty of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman. He was subsequently sacked by the Kangaroos.

In May of 2024, Tarryn Thomas was arrested and charged on Tuesday with use of a telecommunications service to harass, and breaching a court order. An AFL investigation found Thomas had "engaged in multiple acts of misconduct including threatening a woman via direct messages multiple times” and was thus guilty of several breaches of the AFL's conduct unbecoming rules.

This continued pattern of behaviour shows an unwillingness or inability to change for the better, and permitting Thomas to continue his AFL career would not only be an irresponsible decision but it also undermines efforts to combat the epidemic of violence against women. We urge AFL authorities to take a stand and protect the integrity of their platform.

Sign this petition to prohibit Tarryn Thomas from participating in AFL due to his continued violent behaviour against women.