39 games in his first seven seasons, 111 in the past five; Robbie Tarrant’s career has very much been a tale of two halves.

From an injury-riddled first few years at the club, with four shoulder reconstructions amongst his biggest hurdles, Tarrant has since emerged as one of the league’s best and most reliable defenders.

It’s been quite the journey to 150 games.

“Being injured, you’d sort of come in and race back to get some games in, then break down somewhere else,” Tarrant recalled of a tough start to his AFL career.

“I was just sort of trying to work hard and get my body right, but looking back now it could have easily gone another way.”

The 31-year-old admitted the 150-game milestone didn't always look a likely possibility.

“I’m really thankful the club not only stuck by me, but gave me the resources to get my body right. I’m really grateful for that,” Tarrant said.

Game tallies of 2, 7, 16, 13 and 1 from 2010-2014, have been followed by 22, 23, 21, 21 and 22 between 2015-2019; a stark contrast in Tarrant’s fortunes.

“Once I was able to get some consistency in my training and playing games, my body’s really responded really well,” he said.

“I’ve been really fortunate that the physios and doctors and all the sports science guys have been able to keep my body in pretty good shape over the past five or six years. It’s been enjoyable being out there.”

Of course, a move from attack to defence also saw a remarkable change in Tarrant’s on-field fortunes.

He won a Syd Barker Medal in 2016, and has been unlucky not to be an All-Australian in multiple seasons.

The North number 25 paid tribute to some great Shinboners in his rise to one of the competition’s most respected key backs.

“Playing alongside Scotty (Thompson) and ‘Spud’ (Michael Firrito) was awesome; they’re unbelievable blokes and unbelievable teammates. It was amazing playing alongside them,” Tarrant said.

“You learn the little tips that they give you … even just the support they give you when things aren’t going that well out there sometimes.

“Their guidance was crucial in getting me going down back.”

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The milestone man also full of praise for another former North teammate.

“Playing on ‘Drewy’ (Petrie) at training a lot; he taught me a lot as well,” Tarrant added.

“I was really lucky that those three gave me the time to try to teach me to become a better player.”

The full interview with Tarrant will be available on Friday afternoon, via the website and NMFC App.