Tarrant - Pidgeon-holed or not?

[MemberSince02]

Playing Chris Tarrant down back this season has been an ingeneous move by Harve's this season. He has been very consistent and seems to be thriving with the challenge presented.

Considering all of our seasoned backmen have played forward at some stage this season in conjunction with our regular forwards, do you think Taz will get an opportunity to play forward at any stage this season, or has he become pigdgeon-holed has a regular/reliable backmen?

PS: Would Tarrant be in contention at this stage of the season for a back pocket role in All Australian Team?

 

[E Shed]

With respect why on earth would you put him back in the forward line when he's playing the best footy of his Freo career?
And who cares about the AA team at this point. Just be glad he's playing a great role for the team at the moment. Enjoy the moment

 

[MemberSince02]

Trust me, I am not peturbed as to whether he does get another opportunity forward. I was more wanting to sing his praises for what he has done down back and just curious as to whether people thought Harvey may try to use him again as a pinch forward throughout the season.

Most coaches when playing Freo would now design their team structure around Tarrant playing back. Basis this & just food for thought, if we did put Tarrant forward, would the opposition now struggle to have a decent match up for him?

 

[Ripper]

The more confidence he gets and the better he feeks about himself playing back will only be a good thing when he is shifted forwards as he will be when needed at some time into the future.

 

[Clay Davis]

The more confidence he gets and the better he feeks about himself playing back will only be a good thing when he is shifted forwards as he will be when needed at some time into the future.

Gaining confidence down back could turn him into a dangerous swingman - I agree.

 

[Sman-21]

I really wasnt sure how tarrant would handle being a backmen, not skill wise but mentally i didnt think he would put in.

He is doing very well back there, was worried seeing him on lecras but he did a good job an has been very handy down back when he plays there.

I agree with harvey though most times he will be down back but if we are up against a good defence or a team with no real forward options put him up forward.

 

[Freo Blood]

still very nervous with the ball. see him handball to a stationary player beside when given a free at the subi end. He needs confidence to run and create when necessary to be an above average backman. He has the physical attributes to be good shut down defender.

 

[Frigate]

A sensational performance again. Huge conributer to the team. Keeps focused and to task over 4 quarters.
The bigest tests for Tarrant are coming up with Fev and Franklin (or Roughy). Keep him back.

Ryan Crowley did a superb job on Kerr once again also.

 

[MadMac]

Taz has been fantastic down back. As long as he shuts down his opponents and they don't kick many goals, I'm happy. With a little bit more confidence he may start doing runs from defence as well. Good onya Taz

 

[Stronzo]

He will be even more valuable when he starts using his big tank to drag his opponent up the ground. Another great game to Taz, Le Cras was hardly sighted.

 

[Split Personality]

He made LeCras run the length of the field a few times, as his confidence in playing back improves he will be a great attacking weapon with his field kicking

 

[samseenee]

Agree Stronz, Taz did vey well on Le Carp.

also, even thou Creepy went off injured Kerr wasn't seen much either.

 

[Memories]

With respect why on earth would you put him back in the forward line when he's playing the best footy of his Freo career?

We can afford to at the moment, but I'm pretty sure his wage is fairly high for a backman of his quality. You pay the big bucks to the forwards/mids and the backmen get shafted usually. Obviously since we have so much cap space atm it is hardly a concern but yeah it would be if we were going for a tilt.

He needs to do more attacking rather than just play his man, which he should learn the more he plays down there you hope.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

We can afford to at the moment, but I'm pretty sure his wage is fairly high for a backman of his quality. You pay the big bucks to the forwards/mids and the backmen get shafted usually. Obviously since we have so much cap space atm it is hardly a concern but yeah it would be if we were going for a tilt.

He needs to do more attacking rather than just play his man, which he should learn the more he plays down there you hope.

So we determine which end of the ground people play at based on their wage packets?????

Someone needs to go practice 500 more free throws...

 

[fergalberk]

I don't mind Taz at the back, think he will get better there over the next few games. Having another back/rorward player is handy.

 

[mr.11]

So far he's been great down back.
Hope he do that every game he plays now

 

[Nodgey]

I don't think Taz's work rate has ever been questioned, so it is obvious (in hindsight) that he has shown some great form in defence.

He has the build, stamina and footy smarts to be a more than capable defender.

His game against Le Cras was brilliant, with Le Cras' only 2 goals both coming from Grover errors.