Player Watch #25: Robbie Tarrant - contract extended to the end of 2021

Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Posts
8,136
Likes
5,420
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Yeah, I don't think so. You could also make a similar case for Jacobs, but for mine he also is not an effective and consistent AFL player (yet)

I would already have Ben Brown ahead of Tarrant on what they've shown at AFL level, and considering the former has played less than ten games.

Taz would certainly get a game at some other clubs, that in itself doesn't mean he is AFL standard in terms of players you want in a successful team
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Posts
12,277
Likes
24,044
Location
Waiting for Lindsay Thomas
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Titty Bong two's
Been proven quite a few times already that he isn't up to AFL level as a KP player. Whether predominantly due to injuries or lack of talent. So yeah, it is fact.

Your overrating of Tarrant is what is silly.
In 2012/2013 he managed 29 games out of 44. During that period his returns tell me he can play and as I've figures on my side I call it a fact.

Early days I referred to him as a statue, he was terrible.
 

Higgins2Waite

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Joined
Aug 13, 2012
Posts
13,513
Likes
22,916
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Other Teams
NORTH! 2016,2017,2018.
Really has had no continuity in his game. I'd love for him to make it and get his body right. Have no doubt that he's best 22 if fully fit. The Richmond game was the closer for me...he was a monster. If his accuracy didn't wane at the end of 2013 we'd all be sold.

 
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Posts
8,136
Likes
5,420
AFL Club
North Melbourne
In 2012/2013 he managed 29 games out of 44. During that period his returns tell me he can play and as I've figures on my side I call it a fact.

Early days I referred to him as a statue, he was terrible.
Getting a game doesn't mean quality AFL players. For the same reason Jacobs has played how many games for us? I'm not sure, probably ten or so, but it's too many whatever it is. That alone doesn't mean he or Taz are AFL quality, rather just filling gaps in injury riddled, suspensions or average AFL teams.

I actually really like how Taz goes about it as he works hard, and is ultra fit - given himself the best possible chance to make it unlike some others and wish him the best. I just don't think he is as good or talented as people seem to suggest.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Posts
8,136
Likes
5,420
AFL Club
North Melbourne
If his accuracy didn't wane at the end of 2013 we'd all be sold.
No we wouldn't. I'd still say he is no good :p

In all seriousness, we all rate players differently on expectations, output etc. I think Brown is a real prospect, most don't have him best 22. That's fair enough.
 
Last edited:

Horizons_00

Premiership Player
Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Posts
4,057
Likes
5,703
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
North Melbourne
I think the coaches have way more confidence in Taz than his supporters and that's understandable as we don't get to see all the internal only the external.

In saying this, as a supporter i am very nervous in him taking a forward in the back line and being able to keep up.
 

the big lebowski

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 4, 2006
Posts
8,524
Likes
12,958
Location
The hood
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Really has had no continuity in his game. I'd love for him to make it and get his body right. Have no doubt that he's best 22 if fully fit. The Richmond game was the closer for me...he was a monster. If his accuracy didn't wane at the end of 2013 we'd all be sold.

One of the more over rated games i have seen. Kicked four lucky goals, primarily due to unbelievably poor Richmond defending.
 
Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Posts
34,563
Likes
43,575
Location
Hate Hut
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Moderator #2,661
Defence is working out well so far:

Forward-turned-defender Robbie Tarrant has shown promising signs playing down back in the Roos’ match practice session on Friday.

The players sweltered through the 30-plus degree heat for a two-and-a-half-hour run at Arden Street that consisted of a one-hour competitive hit-out to finish.

The 25-year-old was among those to impress, looking composed in the backline and generating plenty of run during stints against Ben Brown and Sam Durdin.

Tarrant said he is gradually feeling more comfortable in the Roos’ reconfigured backline, but understands competition for spots will be intense.

“I’m getting there, (I’m) still learning a lot of things,” Tarrant told NMFC.com.au after the session.

“(I’m) sitting down with ‘Drummo’ (backline coach Josh Drummond) a couple of times a week and going through some edits … I don’t think it’s going to come straight away but I think it’s progressing nicely.

“We’ve got a very settled back six so the competition is going to be on.”

The 196cm big man has also caught his teammates’ attention this pre-season, including that of fellow defender Jamie Macmillan.

“I’m liking the way Tarrant’s going about his business at the minute,” Macmillan said.

“He’s come down back and he’s really impressed me with his attack on the footy, his marking (and) he’s keeping opponents goalless or nearly there.”

Tarrant said the Kangaroos are working hard to strike the right balance of attack and defence – an area that let them down at times last season.

“We’re starting to implement the stuff that ‘Scotty’s’ (senior coach Brad Scott) introduced this pre-season,” he said.

“We’ll have a training review from that (the match simulation drills) and I’m sure things will pop up.”

Tarrant said he was pleased with the efforts of Macmillan and Shaun Atley, in particular, during the hit-out.

“Atley’s providing really good run and ‘J-Mac’ (Macmillan) has lifted and he’s really instructive and showing real leadership qualities out there,” he said.

“Those two stood out for me mainly because they’re coming back and helping the defenders out a bit.”

In a further boost, several players on the comeback trail – including midfielder Jack Ziebell, forward Ben Brown and ruck-forward Majak Daw – took part in the match simulation session.

With North’s first NAB Challenge match just over three weeks away, Tarrant said more players are pressing for selection and performing when it matters most.

“It’s good that we’re starting to get a good amount of numbers on the track now and the blokes who were in rehab are coming in and going well as well,” he said.

Veteran Brent Harvey was another who had a solid impact on the field, while forward Jarrad Waite moved freely in attacking 50.

Key forward Drew Petrie excited by the former Blue’s contribution.

“He’s been able to complete every session since we’ve started training which is good for his confidence and good for him to be able to push through it all,” Petrie said.

“He's got a good set of hands on him and he's very good in front of goal, so today, on a hot day, when the footy was nice and sticky, he shone through.”
http://www.nmfc.com.au/news/2015-02-06/tarrants-first-kick
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Rockstar6

Club Legend
Joined
Dec 23, 2012
Posts
2,822
Likes
2,439
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Manchester United, Utah Jazz
I am aware of the stats. He has been lucky to have the support of Petrie and he has kicked plenty of joe the goose goals and ones in last quarters and so on.

He has stayed on the list because we have lacked for KP options to support Petrie in recent times. Daw is also still on the list and i'd also say he is in a similar bracket in terms of too good for VFL, not quite quality at AFL.

Liam Anthony is a player that had good stats too, so I guess we made a massive mistake moving him on (by those "in the know") if stats are all that count.
Rose coloured glasses. Like B Tron says, folks only see what ghey want to see.
Anthony went downhill after that serious shoulder dislocation Vs Collingwood.
Majak was always going to be a long, long term low risk high reward prospect. It wasnt long ago 95% of North people and fans were demanding he be given a game and time to develop, now that he hasnt delivered on the massive hype, those same 95% or more dont like him anymore.
Tarrant has been unlucky with his shoulders and was foolishly rushed back into the seniors last year and caused further injury. If he was a dud like you are suggesting he would have been delisted or traded for the old famous can of coke and either drafted or aquired a better prospect it's as simple as that. No if's, and's or but's!
 

jlind78

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Posts
5,382
Likes
4,680
Location
If I'm online I'm at work!
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
NYGiants,Boston CelticsRedSoxBruins
Would it be genius or suicide to play ALL of Tarrant, Thompson, Hansen and Tippett in our backline? Along with McDonald/Mullett/ JMac/Higgins running it out.

Thompson and Hansen read the flight and intercept like allstars and Taz and Tip can take the big bodies but aren't slow either.
 

B Tron

Premium Platinum
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Posts
25,840
Likes
47,982
Location
The ENCOM mainframe
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Would it be genius or suicide to play ALL of Tarrant, Thompson, Hansen and Tippett in our backline? Along with McDonald/Mullett/ JMac/Higgins running it out.

Thompson and Hansen read the flight and intercept like allstars and Taz and Tip can take the big bodies but aren't slow either.
Certainly worth trialling it imo. As long as the likes of Atley, McDonald, Wells, Dal Santo sweep back quickly to help run the ball out I think there is enough ability there for it to work. Only issue is if it is too easily manipulated by opposition coaches to generate a poor matchup for us.

Further to this, Hunter was the best ground ball winner in defensive 50 league wide last year. Sure, he can play tall, but he is fantastic at winning the ball and creating a loose man out of D 50. When you have an overlap you don't necessarily need explosive pace, just good ball use and options up ahead. So Lachie for the intercept mark, Hunter for the ground balls, Tippett and Taz for the keys, Wright and Macmillan for the flankers and Atley and McDonald to sweep back from the wings. Work a crack in the NAB at least I reckon.
 
Last edited:

roos_fanatic08

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Posts
18,337
Likes
24,177
Location
Vic
AFL Club
North Melbourne
all the talk early in the preseason was all about tippett, seems to have shifted more towards Tarrant in recent weeks.

going to be interesting competition between them. I think one of them will get a gig early on in the season, especially because Scotty T has had a restricted pre-season.
 

Shagga is all Class

Premiership Player
Joined
May 15, 2005
Posts
3,325
Likes
3,205
Location
Beneath the Blue and White
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
NMFC
Would it be genius or suicide to play ALL of Tarrant, Thompson, Hansen and Tippett in our backline? Along with McDonald/Mullett/ JMac/Higgins running it out.

Thompson and Hansen read the flight and intercept like allstars and Taz and Tip can take the big bodies but aren't slow either.
Well that would mean Firrito and Grima do not play, so unlikely.

Personally I think something needs to change down back, so I would be all for it. Thompson should not play as a KPD but he and Hansen would offer unparalleled intercept and hole clogging protection for the last line.
 

Phillyroo

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Jan 17, 2014
Posts
6,867
Likes
13,167
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Philadelphia Eagles Baby
Well that would mean Firrito and Grima do not play, so unlikely.

Personally I think something needs to change down back, so I would be all for it. Thompson should not play as a KPD but he and Hansen would offer unparalleled intercept and hole clogging protection for the last line.
Sounds great in theory, but can we afford to have two players zoning off as you suggest?
 

roos_fanatic08

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Posts
18,337
Likes
24,177
Location
Vic
AFL Club
North Melbourne
I don't get why people aren't keen on playing our AA full back at full back.

In 2013 when Thompson was AA he played on all the big bodies and best most of them, the coaches wanted him to have more attacking flair In 2014 which I think led to him having a down year defensively.
 
Top Bottom