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Welcome to Tigerland - Tim Taranto
- Thread starter mad_tiggy911
- Start date
Matt Johnson is a Mundy style player, a finisher and linkman, his kicking is elite and that needs to be capitalised on. The contested aspect not a red flag in my opinion, it may well have been deemed that way at draft time but at 192cm, dual sided & with a booming 60 metre range I think you can easily play to his strengths. In the scheme of things I haven't seen too many players of that height being able to distribute with the same level of composure, the technical side of his game is first class. Given he had an interrupted year in 2022, I'd be reserving judgement on his all-round ball winning ability, I think his WAFL form showed heaps of promise. And yes, he was my man for the Brown pick & I haven't changed that view, despite the fact tha Van Rooyen looks the goods. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds of course, Scoop with his nose in front just at the minute.
Cripps 37.1%, Wines 37.9%, Fyfe 42.9% Brownlow Medallists.
Daicos 84.8% while Ashcroft is now 39.6%.
I'm backing Ashcroft over Daicos for a Brownlow, he has the right pedigree, *smile* kicking!!
TARANTO FAN BASE IN TEXAS
Lauren Wood
Tim Taranto would stamp the envelopes and address them to Canberra.
The new Tiger has notched up his frequent flyer miles since he was a kid, travelling back and forth between Melbourne and Texas to visit his father, Phillip.
In the midst of Covid travel restrictions and closed borders, Taranto had been ready to pull out all stops in a bid to see his dad.
“I’m used to (being separated), so it wasn’t a huge change, but I was refreshing Google pretty much every other day about when the international borders would open up,” he said.
“I was writing letters to the government at one point – you know, how you could get those special consideration things? I tried a few of those to try to get in … I was thinking about how I could get over there.
“I got knocked back, I got one (reply).”
All the Google searching soon paid off.
On November 1, 2021, the borders were flung open and Taranto quickly threw his belongings in a suitcase.
“I literally was on one of the first flights out to Dallas (where his dad lives),” Taranto said.
“I went over when no one thought you could, but I knew immediately, having kept such a close eye on it.
“The airport was so empty – it was so weird. I put up an Instagram (post) in America and everyone was like, ‘How’d you do that?’
“I spent a couple of weeks over there. Last year I went again in the off-season when we could travel. He’ll probably come over middle of the year and off-season I might go over again.”
It’s been trans-Pacific for the pair since Taranto was a toddler.
Now 25, Taranto’s mum Jessica was 17 when she and Phillip had Tim.
Things didn’t work out between the pair and Taranto’s dad returned to the US two years later. But not even a near-15,000km distance was going to get in the way of father and son.
Taranto paid an emotional tribute to Jess and her sacrifice for his dream when the Giants made the 2019 grand final – ironically, looking back now, claimed by Richmond.
“I’m very lucky to have had very young parents,” Taranto said this week. “Obviously it didn’t work out for them, but to have a young mum to raise me, with help too, and a dad who has stayed very much in my life and contributed as much as possible despite being on the other side of the world, is very lucky. I’m very grateful for them.”
These days, now living not far apart in bayside Melbourne, Taranto jokes Jessica is “probably sick of me” now he’s back after six seasons in Sydney.
Phillip – who had held hope Taranto, a star junior basketballer, could play for the University of Texas – “still watches pretty much every game”, but has had to hit the books in recent months as his boy settled into life at Punt Road.
“He’s got the international membership and Kayo so he pretty much watches everything,” Taranto said.
“He’s still learning the Tiger names and jumper numbers, and all that type of stuff, but he and his mates are right into it.
“He’s seen a few games. I also have three younger half-brothers who are 10, nine and three over there, and they watch it too and love it. The two older ones got to run out with me last year in a game at the ’G.
“I sent a parcel of merch over the other day – a few footys and jerseys. I’ll have to go and spend some more money at the Tigers shop.”
Taranto’s girlfriend, Tash, hit the road this week from north Sydney to Melbourne, lobbing in town with a filled-to-the-brim car. She had just reached Albury when News Corp Australia sat down to chat.
Richmond is a whole new beast – bringing crowds, spotlight, criticism and recognition from the coffee shop to the convenience store.
That’s taken some getting used to. Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes had the star Tiger’s kicking in his sights this week.
“I knew coming here on a long-term contract, there’s obviously going to be a target on my head – that’s just human nature,” Taranto said.
“I’m still adjusting to it. Sure, it hurts when you read something that you don’t want to read, but everyone’s copped that in their time. Especially at the Tigers.
“You’ve just got to take it as it is – they’ve got a job to do and you can’t let it bother you too much, really.”
He has no regrets about leaving Greater Western Sydney, despite initially thinking he would never play for another club. But he does harbour some nervousness about meeting his ex-teammates in round 12.
“Honestly, no (I didn’t think I’d come back to Melbourne). I really loved my time up there and thought I was probably going to be there for the rest of my career, if I’m being honest,” Taranto said. “It wasn’t until last year things probably weren’t going my way and it felt like time for a change.
“I think it was the right thing for both and I have no regrets. I loved my time up there but was excited by a new opportunity and I think I made the right call.”
Lauren Wood
Tim Taranto would stamp the envelopes and address them to Canberra.
The new Tiger has notched up his frequent flyer miles since he was a kid, travelling back and forth between Melbourne and Texas to visit his father, Phillip.
In the midst of Covid travel restrictions and closed borders, Taranto had been ready to pull out all stops in a bid to see his dad.
“I’m used to (being separated), so it wasn’t a huge change, but I was refreshing Google pretty much every other day about when the international borders would open up,” he said.
“I was writing letters to the government at one point – you know, how you could get those special consideration things? I tried a few of those to try to get in … I was thinking about how I could get over there.
“I got knocked back, I got one (reply).”
All the Google searching soon paid off.
On November 1, 2021, the borders were flung open and Taranto quickly threw his belongings in a suitcase.
“I literally was on one of the first flights out to Dallas (where his dad lives),” Taranto said.
“I went over when no one thought you could, but I knew immediately, having kept such a close eye on it.
“The airport was so empty – it was so weird. I put up an Instagram (post) in America and everyone was like, ‘How’d you do that?’
“I spent a couple of weeks over there. Last year I went again in the off-season when we could travel. He’ll probably come over middle of the year and off-season I might go over again.”
It’s been trans-Pacific for the pair since Taranto was a toddler.
Now 25, Taranto’s mum Jessica was 17 when she and Phillip had Tim.
Things didn’t work out between the pair and Taranto’s dad returned to the US two years later. But not even a near-15,000km distance was going to get in the way of father and son.
Taranto paid an emotional tribute to Jess and her sacrifice for his dream when the Giants made the 2019 grand final – ironically, looking back now, claimed by Richmond.
“I’m very lucky to have had very young parents,” Taranto said this week. “Obviously it didn’t work out for them, but to have a young mum to raise me, with help too, and a dad who has stayed very much in my life and contributed as much as possible despite being on the other side of the world, is very lucky. I’m very grateful for them.”
These days, now living not far apart in bayside Melbourne, Taranto jokes Jessica is “probably sick of me” now he’s back after six seasons in Sydney.
Phillip – who had held hope Taranto, a star junior basketballer, could play for the University of Texas – “still watches pretty much every game”, but has had to hit the books in recent months as his boy settled into life at Punt Road.
“He’s got the international membership and Kayo so he pretty much watches everything,” Taranto said.
“He’s still learning the Tiger names and jumper numbers, and all that type of stuff, but he and his mates are right into it.
“He’s seen a few games. I also have three younger half-brothers who are 10, nine and three over there, and they watch it too and love it. The two older ones got to run out with me last year in a game at the ’G.
“I sent a parcel of merch over the other day – a few footys and jerseys. I’ll have to go and spend some more money at the Tigers shop.”
Taranto’s girlfriend, Tash, hit the road this week from north Sydney to Melbourne, lobbing in town with a filled-to-the-brim car. She had just reached Albury when News Corp Australia sat down to chat.
Richmond is a whole new beast – bringing crowds, spotlight, criticism and recognition from the coffee shop to the convenience store.
That’s taken some getting used to. Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes had the star Tiger’s kicking in his sights this week.
“I knew coming here on a long-term contract, there’s obviously going to be a target on my head – that’s just human nature,” Taranto said.
“I’m still adjusting to it. Sure, it hurts when you read something that you don’t want to read, but everyone’s copped that in their time. Especially at the Tigers.
“You’ve just got to take it as it is – they’ve got a job to do and you can’t let it bother you too much, really.”
He has no regrets about leaving Greater Western Sydney, despite initially thinking he would never play for another club. But he does harbour some nervousness about meeting his ex-teammates in round 12.
“Honestly, no (I didn’t think I’d come back to Melbourne). I really loved my time up there and thought I was probably going to be there for the rest of my career, if I’m being honest,” Taranto said. “It wasn’t until last year things probably weren’t going my way and it felt like time for a change.
“I think it was the right thing for both and I have no regrets. I loved my time up there but was excited by a new opportunity and I think I made the right call.”
The bont was just about the difference. 11 clearances. Absolutely pantsed us….. again.
Cornes cob may have just about been right in his opinion on recruiting Hooper Taranto. Early days but.....
Taranto and Hopper are horrible pick ups.
Some players do all the right things, but can't get wins.
Some players do all the right things, but can't get wins.
Horrible? Taranto has been very good. Hopper had one very good game, didn’t appear quite right today. Horrible after just 4 games?
You’re the new Carter
