Tarrant, who played 196 games for the Magpies and 72 for Fremantle, announced his retirement ahead of the club's round 21 clash with North Melbourne, effective at season's end.
His story is proof of the cycle of football.
Tarrant impressed in the club's final game of his debut season, 1998, which was played against the Swans at the SCG. He helped farewell Tony Francis, Graham Wright and Richard Osborne. In his final game in 2012, he played alongside names such as Jamie Elliott, Ben Sinclair and Alex Fasolo, some of whom were a mere five-years-old when Tarrant was drafted.
The 32-year-old arrived at Victoria Park at the age of 17 in November 1997 and quickly became one of the faces of the club's swift turnaround from basket case to premiership contender.
Tazmania - think you know Chris Tarrant?
After a four-year sabbatical at Fremantle, Tarrant returned to Collingwood as one of the premier full backs in the competition. He finished tenth in the E.W. Copeland Trophy last season and leaves the club with his head held high, as well as the utmost respect and reverence from his teammates, coaches and supporters.
After the loss to the Swans, captain Nick Maxwell said Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley spoke about Tarrant's contribution to the black and white, paying tribute to his "contribution to the lives of everyone involved in the football club" and "just how quickly 15 years can go by".
"For me, on a personal note just the last two years having him back has just been outstanding," Maxwell said.
"The way that he has helped me and helped our group ... I couldn't speak highly enough of him for the contribution that he has made, in particular in the last two years."
Thanks for the screamers, the freakish goals, the desperate spoils, the early excitement, then the unpredictability and finally the triumphant return. Not to mention the passion for Collingwood and what it means to so many.
Best wishes and thanks for the many memories, Taz.
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Chris Tarrant leaves the field for the final time as an AFL footballer.
Quite a bit has happened between November 1997 and September 2012. Four Olympic Games, 55 per cent of the MCG has been rebuilt, three Prime Ministers, the closure of Victoria Park and 355 Collingwood games, of which Taz played 196.
A favourite of the Collingwood faithful from start to finish.
The final chapter of a 15-year odyssey has been finished. Thanks Taz.
