It’s hard enough any time to take on powerful Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins, let alone when you’ve undergone surgery to have a plate inserted in your hand after breaking a knuckle.

That, however, was the major challenge confronting veteran Richmond key defender Robbie Tarrant at the MCG last Saturday.

Tarrant suffered the injury early in the previous round’s match against Carlton, but bravely played on.

Despite the subsequent significant swelling in his hand, followed by surgery to put a plate in to reinforce it, the veteran key defender was adamant he would be ready for the arduous assignment on Hawkins.

And, ready he was.

Hawkins had kicked 36 goals in 13 games leading up to the big Round 15 encounter at the MCG, but Tarrant, notwithstanding his less-than-ideal preparation leading into the game, wasn’t fazed at all.

In a performance that endeared himself to new Tiger teammates, coaches and supporters alike, the former Kangaroo kept Hawkins to just eight disposals all-up and no goals.

That was exactly the type of role Richmond was hoping Tarrant could perform on the opposition’s big key forwards when it secured his services from North Melbourne during last year’s AFL trade period.

He is proving to be a valuable addition to the Tigers’ line-up.