Robbie Tarrant wins first Syd Barker Medal as North Melbourne 2016 best-and-fairest
FORMIDABLE North Melbourne defender Robbie Tarrant has edged out Jack Ziebell to break through for his first Syd Barker Medal.
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FORMIDABLE North Melbourne defender Robbie Tarrant has edged out Jack Ziebell to break through for his first Syd Barker Medal.
Tarrant, 27, was rewarded for a standout season as the Roos answer for the opposition’s most dangerous goalkicker.
North Melbourne coach Brad Scott praised Tarrant as a worthy best-and-fairest winner.
“Robbie has been a rock in defence,” Scott said.
“Week in, week out, we knew exactly what to expect from Robbie and he was an influential member of our line-up all year, taking on and beating some of the best forwards in the country nearly every week.”
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Tarrant shone in the second half of the season as North battled injuries and form, holding some of the game’s biggest names goalless including Jack Gunston, Charlie Dixon, Travis Cloke, Nick Riewoldt and Tom Boyd.
The best-and-fairest recognition caps a brilliant season from Tarrant, who was unlucky to miss All-Australian selection after making the 40-man squad.
Tarrant, one of seven Roos to play all 23 games this season, also received the Jason McCartney Award presented to the player who epitomises the values, strength and courage that McCartney used to return to the game after suffering horrific burns in the Bali bombings.
Roos vice-captain Ziebell (257) finished six votes behind Tarrant (263) with consistent wingman Sam Gibson (234) third.
Dual Syd Barker medallist Daniel Wells (221), an unrestricted free agent who is expected to sign a multi-year deal at Collingwood worth an estimated $1.8 million, and five-time club champion Brent Harvey (217) rounded out the top five.
Last year’s club champion Todd Goldstein finished outside the top 10 after battling knee soreness in the second half of the season.
The Roos paid an emotional tribute to outgoing stars Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo after the quartet was told on the eve of the finals that their contracts wouldn’t be renewed.
Firrito last month announced his retirement after 275 games, while the rest have yet to declare their intentions for next year.
Petrie and Dal Santo have expressed an interest to play on should an AFL suitor be found, while Harvey hasn’t made a decision, battling with the prospect of wearing another club’s jumper after spending 21 years at Arden St.
Jamie Macmillan was named best clubman, while NAB Rising Star nominee Ryan Clarke snared the best young player award.
Lindsay Thomas and Lachie Hansen were awarded life membership in recognition of their service to the club.
SYD BARKER MEDAL
1. Robbie Tarrant 263
2. Jack Ziebell 257
3. Sam Gibson 234
4. Daniel Wells 221
5. Brent Harvey 217
6. Jamie Macmillan 213
7. Nick Dal Santo 210
8. Ben Cunnington 207
9. Andrew Swallow 192
10. Ben Brown 181
Originally published as Robbie Tarrant wins first Syd Barker Medal as North Melbourne 2016 best-and-fairest
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