Richmond defender Robbie Tarrant has called time on his 16-year AFL career, announcing that he will retire effective immediately.
Tarrant played 194 matches at the top level, including 20 with Richmond last season. Before that, the key defender was a champion at North Melbourne, winning their best and fairest in 2016.
The 34-year-old managed just two VFL starts in 2023 due to a chronic hip injury, the last being cut short early due to the issue in Round 3.
Tarrant, a Mildura product that played with the Bendigo Pioneers and Xavier College, was selected by the Kangaroos with their first pick, No. 15 overall, at the 2007 draft.
The 196cm key position player fought back from injury struggles that kept him to just two AFL games in his first three seasons to become one of North Melbourne’s most reliable players across a decade.
Tarrant was renowned for his consistently high level of performance and ability to nullify the league’s most powerful forwards and modern-day greats.
The veteran joined Richmond ahead of the 2022 season and played strong football for the Club that season, finishing equal 11th in the Jack Dyer Medal and featuring in a finals campaign.
Tarrant was particularly impressive in a narrow loss against eventual premiers Geelong in Round 15, keeping last year’s All-Australian captain Tom Hawkins to his only goalless game across 25 matches for the season.
The two-year Tiger told teammates today his worsening hip injury left him with little choice but to retire and reflect on the "overwhelming sense of appreciation" for his long AFL career.
“I know if I do not announce it today, that I will keep trying to play, and I am worried about where that will land me come season's end,” he said.
“Having missed the draft as a 17-year-old, I knew from then on that if I was going to make it, I was going to have to work as hard as I could.
“And I finish up today knowing that I have done that. I have got nothing left in the tank.”
Richmond General Manager- Football Talent Blair Hartley hailed Tarrant’s excellent AFL career.
“We brought Robbie to our football club because we admired how he went about things on and off the field and knew that he would make us a better team,” he said.
“Across his two years with us, he displayed all his great traits, setting an example and providing leadership for younger players.
“While this year did not work out for Robbie due to his injury troubles, he certainly put his best foot forward and gave himself every chance due to diligence and work ethic.
“Robbie can be proud of his time with Richmond and in the AFL. Across 16 years, he has been a brilliant player, and we wish him and his family all the best.
“They are always welcome at Richmond.”
