Speculation that Tarrant was eyeing a return to Melbourne gathered momentum in the lead up to trade week, with suggestions he was certain to leave Fremantle at the end of 2010, the final year of his four-year deal with the club.
However, Tarrant, who resurrected his career this season with a move to full-back, set the record straight when he took to the stage on Friday night to accept third place in the Doig Medal, Fremantle's best and fairest award.
"I know I haven't performed since I've been here, but hopefully I can turn that around over the next couple of years," Tarrant, 29, said.
"Even though [there have been] reports that I was looking to go back home, I've never stated that at all – I've always said to the football club that I want to stay here at Fremantle.
"It's unfortunate that people outside the club started commenting that I wanted to go back home, which is totally untrue.
"I'm very happy here and looking forward to playing next year and being part of a growing Fremantle side."
After 161 games with Collingwood, Tarrant was traded to Fremantle at the end of the 2006 season. He led the Pies' goalkicking between 2001-2005 but his career as a forward stalled at Fremantle.
The former spearhead was sent to full-back this season and was in contention for All-Australian selection halfway through the year after negating elite forwards Brendan Fevola, Mark LeCras, Brad Johnson, Lance Franklin and Cameron Mooney.
Tarrant played all 22 games in 2009 and thanked his coaches and teammates for helping make his transformation a success.
"I'd like to thank the coaches first of all – they've put a lot of trust in me," he said.
"I'd like to thank (defensive coach) Chris Scott. You do a lot of work with your line coaches and I know he's helped me a lot being back there. I appreciate all his support and what he's put in for me.
"I'm only still learning the position – and hopefully I can get better – but I'd like to thank the rest of the guys in defence, who have helped me out and supported me."
Coach Mark Harvey said Tarrant's transformation from traditional forward to first-choice defender had been exceptional.
In a passionate speech, the coach also made a plea to his senior players to work alongside the club's first and second-year players next season to realise their potential.
"You must understand, you've got to fulfil your potential, not just individually, but from a team aspect," Harvey said.
"The sooner you fast-track and instil belief in the younger players the better, because they're going to help you to get to those ambitions that you're looking for.
"This game doesn't make exemptions for football clubs or for players. When is it going to be to fulfil your ambitions? It's got to be now.
"We cannot tolerate where we've finished in the last couple of years."
