Past #25: Robbie Tarrant - traded to RFC for CCJ&picks - 2yr deal at RFC - 174 NM games/44 NM goals - retires 13/7/23 effective immediately

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Shame he'll be in Sydney
 
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Hard work reaps Robbie rewards

Almost 13 years after being taken by North Melbourne with a first round selection in 2007, the 31-year-old will notch up a milestone that many thought wouldn’t be possible during his early years/
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It’s fair to say Robbie Tarrant has taken the long road to 150 games.

Almost 13 years after being taken by North Melbourne with a first round selection in 2007, the 31-year-old will notch up a milestone that many thought wouldn’t be possible during his early years at Arden Street.

“He came in as an elite talent, and everyone knew his brother (former Magpie and Docker, Chris), so there was a bit of hype about him,” former teammate Michael Firrito told North Media.

“You could tell straight away that he had a good head on his shoulders and he knew where he wanted to go.

“But he had some really rotten luck early on with injuries.”

Multiple shoulder reconstructions, as well as hip and leg injuries saw Tarrant’s debut delayed until 2010, and further injuries saw him play just 38 games in his first seven years in the AFL system.

“He’s got a steel rod in his leg, and I don’t think anyone else in the AFL would have that, and it’s pretty uncommon worldwide,” Firrito said.

“He could probably have been a 250-gamer by now, if his luck had been different.”


North’s faith and Tarrant’s persistence and continued commitment ultimately paid off.

“It’s obviously tough physically, but don’t discount how tough it is mentally to be in rehab for such long stretches, which he suffered at a young age,” Firrito said.

“To fight back the way he did says a lot about him.”

“He went through a lot early on, but he never gave, being the type of bloke he is,” fellow defender Scott Thompson added.

“Now he’s got that momentum up, hopefully he can keep going and hit 250 (games).”

Having played 275, and 241 games respectively in the royal blue and white stripes, Firrito and Thompson are North Melbourne through and through.

That trait well and truly one Tarrant holds dear.

“When I look back at my favourite teammates like (Glenn) Archer, Boomer (Brent Harvey), Drew (Petrie), Brady Rawlings, Scott Thompson … he’s (Tarrant) right in that calibre,” Firrito said.

“He’s a guy that lifts people around him. You hear it said a lot, but he’s a guy people love to play with because he gives you so much confidence when he’s next to you.”

“His professionalism is right up there. He’d never miss anything, or take any shortcuts,” Thompson added.

“That shows on the field. He’ll do anything for his teammates, and you’d want him on your team. He’d be one of the first you’d pick to play with, and you’d always know he has your back.

“He drives the standards on game day and at training, and everyone looks up to him. If someone is mucking around at the wrong time, he’ll whip them into line. But he’ll definitely have fun when there’s fun to be had.”


Having started his career as a forward, Tarrant has developed into one of the Roos’ most important players and leaders.

“He played a fair bit of footy forward, then he got thrown back, but he’s always been such a tremendous athlete, he could go anywhere and make an impact,” Firrito said.

“For me, he’s probably now our most important player for what he brings to the team, and the leader he’s become.

“He knows his opponents and his game as well as anyone, or the coaches. He’s like an assistant coach out on the ground, and I think his value to the football club is massive with the way things are going currently.

“I’m really proud to have him as a North Melbourne leader, and a close friend.”

Thompson and Tarrant formed a key partnership for the Roos in the latter half of the decade.

“We knew each other’s game really well, so the relationship worked,” Thompson said.

“If one of us was struggling we’d switch players, and I was having a bad day he’d give me a little kick, and he was good like that.

“He’s never been the guy that gets the second or third forward. He takes the best every week, and he never lets you down.”

Internally at North and amongst fans, Tarrant is regarded as one of the league’s best defenders, and two of his great mates think it’s only a matter of time before that recognition grows.

“He’s definitely underrated in my eyes. Hopefully one day he gets the recognition he deserves,” Thompson said.

“He’s been stiff not to be All-Australian, and hopefully that changes in the future,” Firrito added.
 
Robbie Tarrant – 150 games
The 62nd player to play 150 games for the North Melbourne Football Club

Played: 149 Won: 73 Drawn: 0 Lost: 76 ​

Game 1 – Round 15, 2010 v Sydney (S.C.G.). Sydney 12.13-85 d. North Melbourne 7.13-55
Game 50 – Round 14, 2015 v Gold Coast (Carrara). Gold Coast 19.11-125 d. North Melbourne 10.10-70
Game 100 – Round 17, 2017 v Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval). Port Adelaide 19.13-127 d. North Melbourne 8.9-57

Disposals
Game High: 28 (Round 2, 2017 v Geelong)
Season High: 374 (2016)

Kicks
Game High: 19 (Round 22, 2015 v Western Bulldogs / Round 2, 2017 v Geelong)
Season High: 246 (2016)

Handballs
Game High: 13 (Round 3, 2015 v Port Adelaide / Round 13, 2016 v Hawthorn)
Season High: 144 (2017)

Marks
Game High: 16 (Round 5, 2018 v Hawthorn)
Season High: 145 (2016)

Goals: 44 Behinds: 35​

Brownlow Medal Games
Round 9, 2016 vs Carlton – 1 vote
Round 5, 2018 vs Hawthorn – 2 votes
Round 15, 2019 vs Collingwood – 1 vote
Round 17, 2019 vs Essendon – 1 vote

Finals:
2012 Elimination Final v West Coast
2015 Elimination Final v Richmond
2015 Preliminary Final v West Coast
2016 Elimination Final v Adelaide

Most Consecutive Games: 42 (Round 4, 2018 v Carlton to Round 1, 2020 v St.Kilda)
Has played 149 of 215 games since debut

Honours
All Australian Squad (2016)
North Melbourne Best & Fairest (2016)
Club Vice-Captain (2017- )
International Rules Rep (2017x2)
 
 
giantroo said:
Click to expand...

Dont worry Taz, you’ve definitely repaid the club mate, just wish the AA selectors took the Rance love-goggles off in years gone past because you should have a couple of AA caps on you’re resume too.

We love ya like a brother!
 
Marstermind said:
Robbie Tarrant – 150 games
The 62nd player to play 150 games for the North Melbourne Football Club

Played: 149 Won: 73 Drawn: 0 Lost: 76 ​

Game 1 – Round 15, 2010 v Sydney (S.C.G.). Sydney 12.13-85 d. North Melbourne 7.13-55
Game 50 – Round 14, 2015 v Gold Coast (Carrara). Gold Coast 19.11-125 d. North Melbourne 10.10-70
Game 100 – Round 17, 2017 v Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval). Port Adelaide 19.13-127 d. North Melbourne 8.9-57

Disposals
Game High: 28 (Round 2, 2017 v Geelong)
Season High: 374 (2016)

Kicks
Game High: 19 (Round 22, 2015 v Western Bulldogs / Round 2, 2017 v Geelong)
Season High: 246 (2016)

Handballs
Game High: 13 (Round 3, 2015 v Port Adelaide / Round 13, 2016 v Hawthorn)
Season High: 144 (2017)

Marks
Game High: 16 (Round 5, 2018 v Hawthorn)
Season High: 145 (2016)

Goals: 44 Behinds: 35​

Brownlow Medal Games
Round 9, 2016 vs Carlton – 1 vote
Round 5, 2018 vs Hawthorn – 2 votes
Round 15, 2019 vs Collingwood – 1 vote
Round 17, 2019 vs Essendon – 1 vote

Finals:
2012 Elimination Final v West Coast
2015 Elimination Final v Richmond
2015 Preliminary Final v West Coast
2016 Elimination Final v Adelaide

Most Consecutive Games: 42 (Round 4, 2018 v Carlton to Round 1, 2020 v St.Kilda)
Has played 149 of 215 games since debut

Honours
All Australian Squad (2016)
North Melbourne Best & Fairest (2016)
Club Vice-Captain (2017- )
International Rules Rep (2017x2)
Click to expand...
Robbed of AA in 2016
He was colossal

* Mark Ricciuto and Talia
 

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tazaa said:
Robbed of AA in 2016
He was colossal

fu** Mark Ricciuto and Talia
Click to expand...

And only in the squad once. Travesty. Not considered at all for the past 3 years. Disgraceful. Every inch the player that Hurley or Andrews is and not that far off Rance or McGovern. If his stripes were black, he'd be AA at least once or maybe more.
 
I’ll put my hand up I didn’t think he would make it after his first few games. He is now mr dependable and a leader.
He speaks like a leader and acts like a leader. Well done and a win will be great on his 150th.
 
He sums up "deeds, not words" better than any other player on our current list.

His character represents everything encompassed by the shinboner tradition.
 
Marstermind said:
Last year he got beaten in a 1:1 marking contest for the first time in Round 18. Sixteen games straight without a forward taking a mark against him in a genuine contest. Kind of incredible really.
Click to expand...

not enough goal assists?
 
His game against * and in particular his last quarter was massive. Recognized by the umps too.
I was shattered for him most.
The whole Atley * up and then McDonald getting injured and Marley getting his bearings wrong - nothing to snow for it
 
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