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BRETT KOHLHAGEN: It’s been a couple of years since you retired from AFL. How is life treating you?
CHRIS TARRANT: It goes very quickly. I’m keeping busy outside footy and enjoying being in the real world again. I have released my own protein supplements and put a lot of work into that and I’m also into sales on the Mornington Peninsula.
BK: Do you miss footy?
CT: To be honest after playing for 15 years your body takes a fair battering. You miss your mates and the locker room banter which was always good fun, but I don’t miss playing at all. I was lucky enough to retire on my own accord. Not everyone is that fortunate.
BK: Was it tough making the transition from training five or six days a week?
CT: It was a big change. You go from being a professional athlete training every day and doing everything possible to scaling it right back. I still live a healthy lifestyle and go to the gym as much as I can. I haven’t blown out yet ... maybe in a few years.
BK: I read recently where you said you considered yourself lucky to have played in three grand finals at Collingwood and not unlucky to have never won one. Is that right?
CT: They are so hard to win. We came up against two of the best sides of the modern era in Brisbane and Geelong and it just wasn’t to be. The experience of grand final week, the parade and all of that was fantastic. Don’t get me wrong, it would have been great to win one, but sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time.
BK: How have you found the transition to country footy?
CT: I have loved it. I played about 10 games with some friends last year at Violet Town and it was good running around and having a bit of fun. This year I have scaled back a bit through work and played a few games so far in Tassie and Melbourne.
BK: How did last weekend go at Meeniyan-Dumbalk United?
CT: I had an opportunity to run around with ‘Dids’ (Alan Didak) and unfortunately we lost. It was a great day in terms of the turnout and hopefully the club got something out of it.
BK: Did ‘Dids’ get a kick?
CT: No he didn’t — and neither did I to be honest. Dids just got back from the World Cup in Brazil and probably needed the run.
BK: Have you seen an Ovens and Murray match?
CT: I haven’t but I have heard a bit about it being one of the best leagues in country Victoria. It certainly won’t be easy getting a kick.
BK: Brendan Fevola coached the league this year and has kicked plenty of goals over the past few years for Yarrawonga. What was your record against him like when he played at Carlton?
CT: I liked towelling him up. I played on Fev a few times and he probably helped my career as he was the first guy I played on when Fremantle sent me to the backline when I couldn’t get a kick. I think I kept him goalless or he might have kicked one.
BK: Did you enjoy playing back or forward the most?
CT: In my prime when I was a kid I really enjoyed jumping and trying to kick a goal in front of the big Collingwood crowds, but then later on I didn’t mind playing in defence and getting to play on Lance Franklin, Nick Riewoldt and Jonathan Brown. It was a selfless position and you just tried to do your job. Both were good.
BK: How is your old club Collingwood travelling?
CT: Before the last few weeks I would have thought really well but it’s a close competition and teams will have their ups and downs. I think Collingwood will be around the mark with teams like Geelong, North Melbourne and Gold Coast but they are probably a bit behind Port, Sydney, Hawthorn and Freo at the moment.
BK: Everyone has an opinion on Mick Malthouse. What about you?
CT: I was there when Mick first started at Collingwood and then he moved me on. There aren’t too many players Mick moved on and brought back though. I found him to be a great motivator and very caring person outside of football. He helped me grow through my teenage years into adulthood. He was great.
BK: How is your younger brother Robbie coping with his injury setbacks this year?
CT: It’s been a really disappointing season for Robbie. I have been on the phone to him a fair bit and he’s going through a similar time that I had with shin splints in 2005 or 2006. He’s got a stress reaction and it’s flared up again which could keep him out for the year. He’s looking at different options with surgery and healing methods and I’m sure it will work out.
BK: Who is the best player you played with at Collingwood?
CT: I was fortunate to play with some champions. For consistency Dane Swan was unstoppable over five or six years with 30-plus possessions each week. Obviously leading to ‘Bucks’ (Nathan Buckley) with his leg was amazing.
BK: What was Buckley like to play with?
CT: Very competitive. A lot like he is as a coach.
BK: Your toughest opponent?
CT: As a forward Dustin Fletcher was hard to beat with his long arms and reach while Kurt Tippett caused me problems with his size and strength.
BK: Good luck with the Wodonga Raiders at Birallee Park today.
CT: I’m looking forward to it.