Chris Tarrant (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Chris Tarrant is an Australian rules football
er who plays for the Collingwood Football Club
, and has also played for the Fremantle Football Club
. He announced at the end of the 2010 AFL season
that he would return to Melbourne for personal reasons and would not extend his contract with Fremantle for the 2011 season. He has since returned to the Collingwood Football Club via a trade. He made his name as a key forward, but since 2009, Tarrant has found a new position in the backline. Tarrant is noted for his spectacular high marking, athleticism and pace on a lead.
, Tarrant originally played for South Mildura in the Sunraysia Football League
and moved to Bendigo in 1996 on an AFL
scholarship.
In his younger days he was a top basketball
er, making the Victorian state Under 15 squad before concentrating on football.
was his best for Collingwood as he was an All-Australian forward, playing all 22 games plus three finals. He kicked 54 goals and topped Collingwood's goalkicking, and won the 2003 Mark of the Year for his high-flying mark against Geelong
.
Despite being hampered by knee problems in 2005, Tarrant kicked 36 goals from 17 games be Collingwood's lead goalkicker for a fifth-straight season.
In November 2005, Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse
stated that Tarrant had gained strength in his legs after a successful recovery from post-season knee surgery. A big 2006 season was predicted from the enigmatic Tarrant, however this did not eventuate.
Honours bestowed upon Tarrant during his AFL career include All Australian selection in 2003, Second place in the Collingwood Best & Fairest award (Copeland Trophy
) in 2003, Club Leading Goalkicker in 2001, 2002 (equal), 2003, 2004, 2005, and Mark Of The Year in 2003.
and after being linked with several clubs – primarily the two Western Australian clubs West Coast
and Fremantle
, Tarrant was traded to the Fremantle Football Club
in a deal that saw Paul Medhurst
and Draft Selection #8 head to Collingwood.
On being traded to the Dockers, Tarrant said that Subiaco Oval
, both Fremantle and the West Coast Eagles' home ground, would suit his style of play. He also thought that playing alongside Matthew Pavlich
, a similar styled player, would be difficult for opposition defences. He also looked forward to a chance to play in the same team as his former schoolmate Dean Solomon
, who was also traded to Fremantle.
Tarrant was initially used to work up on the ground for the Dockers and had racked up multiple possessions playing in that role. He has also played as a second string forward in a forward line that depended much on Pavlich.
In 2009, coach Harvey moved Tarrant into defence following some poor form up forward. The move was successful with Tarrant putting together a string of noteworthy defensive performances on opposition forwards as well as providing some penetrating rebound attack.
were involved in a fight at a Port Melbourne
nightclub. Johnson was charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault
and accepted responsibility for the incident. Tarrant was not charged, but was fined $5000 by Collingwood for breaking the players code of conduct
.
In June 2007, Tarrant was accused of showing his backside to a female patron of a Darwin nightclub and punching the Federal ALP
candidate for Division of Solomon
, Damian Hale
, after he confronted Tarrant about his behaviour. After the Fremantle Football Club took the unusual step of referring the matter to the AFL to investigate, they fined Tarrant $5000 and suspended him for three matches, with two matches suspended
until the end 2008.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who plays for the Collingwood Football Club
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
, and has also played for the Fremantle Football Club
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
. He announced at the end of the 2010 AFL season
2010 AFL season
-Premiership season:The draw for the 2010 AFL Premiership Season is not a random selection of matches, but rather is planned by the AFL. It is intended to produce a balanced draw while also providing the fans and television networks with blockbuster games. In a competition with 16 teams and 22...
that he would return to Melbourne for personal reasons and would not extend his contract with Fremantle for the 2011 season. He has since returned to the Collingwood Football Club via a trade. He made his name as a key forward, but since 2009, Tarrant has found a new position in the backline. Tarrant is noted for his spectacular high marking, athleticism and pace on a lead.
Early life
Born in Mildura, VictoriaVictoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Tarrant originally played for South Mildura in the Sunraysia Football League
Sunraysia Football League
The Sunraysia Football League is an Australian Rules league based in Northwestern Victoria with clubs located in the vicinity of Mildura and Wentworth, New South Wales...
and moved to Bendigo in 1996 on an AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
scholarship.
In his younger days he was a top basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
er, making the Victorian state Under 15 squad before concentrating on football.
Collingwood Football Club
His 2003 season2003 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2003.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
was his best for Collingwood as he was an All-Australian forward, playing all 22 games plus three finals. He kicked 54 goals and topped Collingwood's goalkicking, and won the 2003 Mark of the Year for his high-flying mark against Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
.
Despite being hampered by knee problems in 2005, Tarrant kicked 36 goals from 17 games be Collingwood's lead goalkicker for a fifth-straight season.
In November 2005, Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse
Mick Malthouse
Michael "Mick" Malthouse is a former Australian rules footballer and the former coach of the Collingwood Football Club.While his playing career included a premiership for Richmond in the VFL, he is best known for his Australian Football League coaching career.Malthouse is the most successful coach...
stated that Tarrant had gained strength in his legs after a successful recovery from post-season knee surgery. A big 2006 season was predicted from the enigmatic Tarrant, however this did not eventuate.
Honours bestowed upon Tarrant during his AFL career include All Australian selection in 2003, Second place in the Collingwood Best & Fairest award (Copeland Trophy
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
) in 2003, Club Leading Goalkicker in 2001, 2002 (equal), 2003, 2004, 2005, and Mark Of The Year in 2003.
Fremantle Football Club
On 13 October 2006, the final day of trade week2006 AFL Draft
The 2006 AFL Draft is a recent national draft of the Australian Football League. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League....
and after being linked with several clubs – primarily the two Western Australian clubs West Coast
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
and Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
, Tarrant was traded to the Fremantle Football Club
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
in a deal that saw Paul Medhurst
Paul Medhurst
Paul Medhurst is a former professional Australian rules football who played for the Fremantle Football Club and the Collingwood Football Club....
and Draft Selection #8 head to Collingwood.
On being traded to the Dockers, Tarrant said that Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval , known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia...
, both Fremantle and the West Coast Eagles' home ground, would suit his style of play. He also thought that playing alongside Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
, a similar styled player, would be difficult for opposition defences. He also looked forward to a chance to play in the same team as his former schoolmate Dean Solomon
Dean Solomon
Dean Solomon is retired Australian rules footballer. He played for the Fremantle Dockers and the Essendon Bombers in his 13 year, 209 games and a premiership career.-Early career:...
, who was also traded to Fremantle.
Tarrant was initially used to work up on the ground for the Dockers and had racked up multiple possessions playing in that role. He has also played as a second string forward in a forward line that depended much on Pavlich.
In 2009, coach Harvey moved Tarrant into defence following some poor form up forward. The move was successful with Tarrant putting together a string of noteworthy defensive performances on opposition forwards as well as providing some penetrating rebound attack.
Return to Collingwood
On 11 October 2010, the final day of the trade period, Tarrant returned to Collingwood in a trade that saw Tarrant and pick 44 traded to Collingwood for picks 43 and 55. He lost the 0 from his Guernsey number and will wear No 2.Off field incidents
In August 2006, Tarrant and Collingwood teammate Ben JohnsonBen Johnson (Australian rules footballer)
Ben Johnson is a professional Australian rules football player currently playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League . He is a Collingwood Premiership player.-Football career:...
were involved in a fight at a Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne, Victoria
Port Melbourne is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km southwest of Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government areas are the cities of Port Phillip and Melbourne. At the 2006 Census, Port Melbourne had a population of 13,293....
nightclub. Johnson was charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault
Assault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
and accepted responsibility for the incident. Tarrant was not charged, but was fined $5000 by Collingwood for breaking the players code of conduct
Code of Conduct
A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the responsibilities of or proper practices for an individual, party or organization. Related concepts include ethical codes and honor codes....
.
In June 2007, Tarrant was accused of showing his backside to a female patron of a Darwin nightclub and punching the Federal ALP
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
candidate for Division of Solomon
Division of Solomon
The Division of Solomon is an Australian Electoral Division in the Northern Territory. It covers the cities of Darwin and Palmerston...
, Damian Hale
Damian Hale
Damian Francis Hale is a former Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of Solomon from 2007 to 2010...
, after he confronted Tarrant about his behaviour. After the Fremantle Football Club took the unusual step of referring the matter to the AFL to investigate, they fined Tarrant $5000 and suspended him for three matches, with two matches suspended
Suspended sentence
A suspended sentence is a legal term for a judge's delaying of a defendant's serving of a sentence after they have been found guilty, in order to allow the defendant to perform a period of probation...
until the end 2008.
Career highlights
- 2nd CollingwoodCollingwood Football ClubThe Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
best and fairestCopeland TrophyThe E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
2003 - CollingwoodCollingwood Football ClubThe Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
leading goalkicker 2001, 2002 (equal), 2003, 2004, 2005 - 2001 Anzac Day Medal
- All-Australian 2003
- AFL Mark of the Year 2003
- 2006 Jason McCartney MedalJason McCartney MedalThe Jason McCartney Medal is a perpetual medal honouring Bali bombing survivor and former Australian Rules Football star Jason McCartney.Since 2003 the Jason McCartney Medal has been presented to the player voted the most courageous performer during clashes between the North Melbourne and...