The veteran Black Sticks defender thinks it might have been 2015 or 2016 when he last represented an Otago-based team.
That would have been Southern in the old National Hockey League.
That competition was scrapped in 2019, so these days the symbol of provincial superiority is the National Hockey Championship.
Otago won it for the first time in their history last year and they want to keep it.
They have boosted their prospects with the long-awaited return of Tarrant. He will bring an extra layer of calm at the back.
The former Black Sticks captain is not one to get rattled. And his return will also put half the band back together.
Tarrant grew up playing hockey with Nick Ross, Hugo Inglis and Kane Russell. The fab four played together at Otago Boys’ and all went on to represent their country.
Inglis (249 games), Tarrant (249 games) and Russell (199 games) all have pending milestones for the Black Sticks.
Ross, who led Otago to victory last season, has since retired from international hockey. He is back for another stint with the blue and gold, though.
Ross’ father, Dave Ross, is the coach and played a key role in nurturing the fab four’s talents when they were younger.
"I’ve always had the intention of playing when I’ve been in New Zealand but it just has not been possible because I’ve been playing [professionally] in Europe and the seasons overlap," Tarrant said.
"But it was time to come home. It was getting a bit tough on the body to play for New Zealand and to also try to play for a European club.
"My main focus now is on trying to qualify for the Olympics here."
Tarrant, 33, lives in Auckland but is awfully loyal to his Otago roots.
"There is nothing better than putting on the blue and gold.
"We’ve always said we all need to play together for Otago again but we’re starting to get a bit older, so it is getting tough.
"But it is exciting to play with the boys. They won last year, so I’m happy to join in and try and do it again."
Tarrant’s contribution will not be limited to what he will offer on the field. He is helping out with the Otago women’s team in an assistant coaching role.
"They are a pretty talented young group and it has been really fun to work with them so far," Tarrant said.
The Otago men open their tournament against Manawatu on Sunday. They also have pool games against Waikato and Auckland.
It looks the easier of the two pools. Pool B is stacked with Canterbury, Wellington, North Harbour and Hawke’s Bay.
The top two teams from each pool will move on to the top four and play crossover games, while the other four sides will compete for the minor placings.
Points from the round-robin phase will be carried through. Following the crossover games the top two-ranked teams will contest the final.
Otago is arguably the favourite.
"That has changed from when I first started. Back then we were kind of expected to come last. But I think the last three times I played we came second."
Maybe he will go one better this time.
National championship
Starts tomorrow
Otago men: Zeke Buschl, Malachi Buschl, Benji Culhane, Nic Finlayson, Zach Mason, Felix McIntosh, James Nicolson, Kieran O’Connor, Nick Parata, Maxwell Rasmussen, Nick Ross (captain), Blair Tarrant, Johnny Thorn, Craig Turner, Hamish van Dyk, Finn Ward, Jordan Ward, Patrick Ward.
Draw
Sunday: v Manawatū
Monday: v Waikato
Tuesday: v Auckland
