2009 VFL aligned playing lists
THE LURE of opportunity has seen key position prospect Robbie Tarrant switch his VFL alignment from North Ballarat to Werribee.
Tarrant was taken at No. 15 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft but has been plagued with injury since arriving at Arden Street.
Early last season he underwent a left shoulder reconstruction then in November had to undergo a similar operation, this time on his right side.
Tarrant is in the final weeks of recovery from that reconstruction but, subject to the Roos' NAB Cup results, he may have to wait until March 21 to start his season.
That's when Werribee meets North Ballarat in a scratch match, however, the Roos have been historically reluctant to field players on the weekend before round one of the AFL season.
Werribee also has a bye in week one of the VFL home and away season, which has been reduced to 18 rounds in 2009 and has a later start than previous years. A practice match against Box Hill is scheduled for Thursday, April 9.
While cautious in assessing Tarrant's options, North Melbourne development coach John Lamont identified the benefits of the 19-year-old's VFL move.
"We see him as a key forward and just felt [there were fewer opportunities] with the North Ballarat structure, particularly the likes of Josh Smith and Michael Wundke who are VFL premiership players now," he said.
"Those two are going to be pushing and wanting to play for North Melbourne, but obviously they're aligned and entrenched with North Ballarat. On top of that North Ballarat has got another couple of talented forwards."
Werribee lost leading goalkicker James Podsiadly and big man Leigh Brown in the off-season but gained former North full-forward Nathan Thompson.
Lamont believes Thompson's presence could further encourage the development of Tarrant and draftee Nathan O'Keefe.
"I caught up with Thommo recently," Lamont said. "He's enjoying it down there and he's pretty fit so he should be a really good influence on [Tarrant and O'Keefe].
"Nathan (O'Keefe)'s lightly built but hopefully he'll get to work a bit with Thommo as well and pick up a few tips and clues along the way. So that should work well for us as well."
Like Tarrant, defender Nathan Grima and onballer Leigh Adams look forward to rebuilding their early careers with Werribee after missing all of last season with knee injuries.
"[They're] just really keen to play, but I think that (the later start to the VFL season) will stand them in good stead," Lamont said. "Both those boys are coming off knee reconstructions so an extra couple of weeks won't hurt them."
First-round draft pick Jack Ziebell, second-round selection Sam Wright and rookies Luke Delaney, Ben Speight and Conor Meredith have also been allocated to Werribee.
Fellow recruits Liam Anthony, Warren Benjamin and Marcus White will line up for North Ballarat.
"While they know their VFL alignments, they were drafted to North Melbourne," Lamont said. "It's just transitioning into first games now.
"We've had practice matches so everyone's all in together. I'm sure human nature being what it is they want to play with North Melbourne, and that's great, but obviously the realisation will come pretty soon that they'll probably have to start with their VFL-aligned clubs.
"But having said that, I'm sure a couple of them are going to get some opportunities in our early NAB Cup games."
