Sacked North Melbourne talent Tarryn Thomas may be thrown an AFL lifeline by fellow Victorian club St Kilda, pending confirmation of his AFL eligibility.

St Kilda's Head of Talent and Acquisition, Graeme Allen, reportedly had lunch with Thomas on Tuesday at a Lygon Street restaurant, Donnini's, according to Chief Channel 9 reporter Tom Morris.

As of now, Thomas is not permitted back into the AFL landscape, due to mounting cases of sexual misconduct by the 24-year-old, which initially granted him an 18-match suspension before North Melbourne took the penalty further by sacking him.

A number of charges have been laid against Thomas since 2022 and while court cases continue, the AFL are yet to confirm whether he'll be permitted to return to the competition, holding off their decision at least until November this year.

The development raises controversy for all parties involved, notably St Kilda, who will undoubtedly be scrutinised for any effort in attaining Thomas' services.

Clearly there focus is on boosting the talent on their list, which Thomas' on-field abilities would do.

The former top 10 pick did average around 20 disposals and a goal in his 12 matches in 2023, polling five Brownlow votes in his final two appearances for North Melbourne. He is yet to play since and questions remain whether he will play again.

If St Kilda's pursuit continues, the club are sure to be lambasted for their decision, some already calling out hypocrisy given their public 'zero-tolerance' statement on domestic violence and misconduct.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has since responded to the reports made by Tom Morris over the club's potential luring, clarifying via SEN that they will not be supplying his AFL lifeline anytime soon.

They instead want to see Thomas prove that he can demonstrate ideal citizenship while being part of a football environment at a lower level before considering a potential comeback.

“With the Tarryn Thomas stuff, if I'm an AFL club I'm saying, ‘If you want a play AFL footy, that's great, but go and prove to us that you can go and play at a lower level',” Lyon said.

“Whether it's VFL or interstate - I don't care what level it is - for a year or two years go and put your head down and show that you've got contrition and own your actions.

“Only then would I take a lunch meeting with you. That's the way I would see that. I wouldn't consider Tarryn Thomas until I'd seen him get through a year or maybe two somewhere else.

“It's not about the money, playing at the top level and the thrill of being known as an AFL player.

“Go off the grid, get yourself right, show and demonstrate that you've learned from some of the horrendous mistakes you made.”