Injuries force retirement call for Tiger

Tarrant, a best and fairest at North Melbourne who joined the Tigers in a bid to play more finals late in his 16-year career, has managed just two VFL games in 2023 as the injury took hold.

He told teammates on Thursday he had been left with no choice but to pull the pin on his efforts to return and add to his 194-game 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 at the 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.”

Tarrant’s retirement comes as Richmond coach Andrew McQualter weighs up how to replace co-captain Toby Nankervis as a danger game looms against West Coast in Perth on Sunday.

Ivan Soldo and Samson Ryan are both set to be named in the Tigers’ extended squad for the clash after the pair played together in the VFL last week.

The decision on how to fill the void left by Nankervis in the ruck could shape the Tigers’ season, with the triple premiership player to also miss clashes with Hawthorn and Melbourne due to his suspension for a high bump which concussed Sydney’s Jake Lloyd.

Ryan took on the no. 1 ruck duties when the Tigers faced the Eagles without Nankervis in round 9, impressing with 31 hit-outs, six score involvements and a goal, but he was confined to back-up status in the VFL last week as Soldo was given the primary role.

McQualter said Soldo was slowly building after managing to string together three consecutive games in the reserves, but suggested the 27-year-old could still be short of touch after being plagued by foot issues this season.

“He just hasn’t played much footy at all this year. He’s had injuries for most of the year, I think he’s played four games of football,” McQualter said.

“It’s improving – I think when you miss a lot of football like Soldo has, it takes a little bit to get your touch back.

“He’s certainly in great physical condition … he’s a big dude, three weeks of footy, hopefully he’s been able to improve his touch.”

The Tigers coach said Ryan, who was omitted for the first time this season after the humiliating loss to Brisbane at the Gabba, was the heir apparent to Nankervis and could still be picked despite being relegated to second fiddle in the VFL.

“Long-term we think Samson is going to be our number one ruck, but we also know how hard it is for a kid to carry the ruck,” McQualter said.

“He’s shown he’s able to do it, and he’s been a great second ruck at times for us as well, and we’re really excited about his future.”

Originally published as Richmond defender Robbie Tarrant has announced his retirement after an injury battle