Is North Melbourne defender Robbie Tarrant one of the most underrated players in the competition?
Former AFL star Nick Dal Santo believes so.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, the ex-Saint and Roo praised Tarrant's consistency and flexibility to play on a variety of opponents.
“I think he is one of the most underrated players in the competition. That is how good he is,” Dal Santo said.
“He is a superstar, a brilliant teammate, as reliable as the day is long and one hell of a good defender.
“It’s as simple as that. He’s strong, fast, competitive.
“He can take talls and smalls on an I love Robbie Tarrant for the player that he is now because he started as a forward.”
The 30-year old has been one of North's most reliable statesman since overcoming a run of injuries early in his career and shifting down back.
He has played in 21 games or more in each of the past five seasons and consistently locked down star opposition forwards. However, Tarrant has never been named to an All Australian team.
Moving forward, Dal Santo said Tarrant needs more support from his fellow defenders, particularly following Scott Thompson's retirement.
“Outside of Tarrant, they have got some young players coming through and I think there’s other players that need to step up,” he said.
“Getting Majak (Daw) back would be great. We saw what he did a couple of years ago and the steps he took in terms of becoming that roll-off defender.
“From where Majak has come from, for him to be given the responsibility and the liberty of choosing when to go one on one and when to roll off and support in the air like the really good defenders do, it’s brilliant.
“I’m not quite sure (who fills Scott Thompson’s shoes). Sam Durdin is someone they’re trying to grow and he needs to physically get a bit bigger and probably a bit more consistent and stronger in his games week to week.
“There’s space there for someone to step up and fill that void.”