For much of his first stint at Collingwood, Tarrant was often criticised for his laconic attitude as a brilliant if flawed tall forward. But in 2012, with his post-season retirement plans made public, Tarrant is approaching the finals with an intense focus as he seeks to win the premiership that has so far eluded him in his 15-year AFL career.
There was no bigger job for any man wearing black and white than Tarrant's on Friday night - to defend Hawthorn star Lance Franklin.
Any intimidation Tarrant may have felt at such a momentous task was simply reflected to his opponent as the veteran immediately confronted the most destructive force in the AFL, pushing, wrestling and possibly even swinging a hand at the Hawthorn star.
Tarrant kept at Franklin for most of the first term and looked to be getting under his skin as Buddy bit back.
But Tarrant's teammate Scott Pendlebury insists there was no pre-meditated tactic to try to work Franklin over and that the Magpies did not go over the top in trying to rough up the Hawks.
"We definitely didn't have the intention to target Buddy. We just wanted to go out there and play a hard, contested brand of footy," Pendlebury said.
"When you're out there you don't even know who's playing well. I thought the aggression shown by our boys was really good. I think we lost contested footy and clearances again, so we need to clean that up."
Pendlebury said he wasn't surprised Tarrant took it upon himself to unsettle Franklin as he realised had to be at his most intense if he was to win the duel.
"That's been Chris Tarrant since he's come back to Collingwood," Pendlebury said.
"Any time he has gone back in defence and played that role, his ability to stick to his role no matter what is a credit to him and it is something that other defenders can learn from."
Tarrant is one of several players who will nervously await the findings of the Match Review Panel after a fierce contest. Magpies captain Nick Maxwell was reported for rough conduct on Paul Puopolo, while Hawks duo Jarryd Roughead and Josh Gibson could also come under scrutiny.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said an aggressive battle was simply part of playing in the finals.
"I think both sides were fairly physical. It's a finals game," Buckley said.
"I think it was going on from both sides for most of the night. I wouldn't have suggested that our discipline off ball was an issue."
Luke Holmesby is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_Luke
