Ex-Collingwood full-forward and now Fremantle full-back Chris Tarrant is currently doing just that.
In the Collingwood grand final teams of '02 and '03 Tarrant was one of the Magpies' key attacking weapons. After a few indifferent years a trade to Fremantle took place at the end of 2006 which resulted in Paul Medhurst and draft selection No.8 going to Collingwood.
With Medhurst excelling and Tarrant continuing his downward spiral the trade looked very lopsided.
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey, like many players, started as a forward before finding his way into defence later in his career. Maybe that was the inspiration or maybe it was pure desperation – whatever sparked the idea it has been a rejuvenated Tarrant who has, over the last month, become Fremantle's primary key defender.
Taking on and completely shutting down Brendan Fevola one week and taking the honours against Buddy Franklin last Friday have been exceptionally good performances.
Importantly Fevola and Franklin are very different players. Fevola is mainly a full-forward whose natural style is to lead from the goal square, whereas Franklin is a forward-half runner who will test the endurance of any key defender. Tarrant had the run to stay with Franklin and the body strength to effect spoils in the majority of marking contests against Fevola. Very few players have these twin capabilities.
The Tarrant rebirth has been great to see. A career that was sinking has been brought alive and that is a positive example that gives hope to all.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
