AFL player's angry response to fan amid personal tragedy

North Melbourne have thrown support behind Tarryn Thomas, after the midfielder snapped at a fan on social media over the weekend.

Kangaroos coach David Noble said Thomas had recently gone through the death his grandmother, which was weighing heavily on the 22-year-old.

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It has already been a difficult enough season for the Kangaroos, who were consigned to a 10th straight defeat against the Adelaide Crows last weekend.

Noble revealed after the match that Thomas would not be returning to Melbourne with the club on Monday, instead travelling back home to spend time with family.

The frustrating season has also weighed on Kangaroos players, and prior to Noble detailing what Thomas was going through the midfielder had hit back at a snarky commenter on Instagram.

Thomas had a difficult day against the Crows, managing just three touches, and a fan's sledge seemed to tip him over the edge.

In a since deleted comment, Thomas told the fan 'Still get paid 10x more than you ever will'.

Noble said after the game that the midfielder had North Melbourne's support.

“He's has had a bereavement in his family this week and has really struggled,” Noble said.

“His Nan passed away and so he’s struggled a bit and wanted to play for his Nan and I’m sure he’s disappointed with the game he put forward.

“He won’t be flying home with us … he’ll be going back to support his family.”

Former Kangaroos great David King pointed out during the game that Thomas 'didn't look right', and later said the club might have considered giving him the weekend off instead.

“There is some circumstances around it but when you get on the field, there’s a level I think you need to bring. But he (Thomas) struggled,” Noble said.

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The Kangaroos trailed 33-24 at the end of the first quarter but couldn't keep pace with Adelaide, who extended the margin at each change.

"Poor, in a word. (We) completely fell away. Our turnovers were awful," Noble said of the team's performance.

North Melbourne pulled a selection shock, shifting defender Ben McKay to the forward line. He slotted one goal but sprayed a couple of set shots wide of all the posts.

Noble said the move was to cover Jack Ziebell, who is sidelined with a facial fracture.

"We felt like we wanted to give this a look for a couple of weeks but with the Cats next week, we might need (McKay) back (in defence)," Noble said.

North Melbourne's Jackson Archer, son of club legend Glenn, didn't look overawed on debut and picked up 15 disposals including six in the first term.

The Kangaroos lost Bailey Scott to a hip problem at halftime, while Adelaide's Will Hamill was subbed out of the match in the third term with concussion.

Adelaide forward Shane McAdam twisted his ankle late and was assisted from the field.

North Melbourne drop to last on the ladder, with just one win for the year, after fellow strugglers West Coast upset Essendon on Friday night.

With AAP

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