The Richmond Tigers have announced defender Chris Yarran will take indefinite leave from the AFL in order to treat a mental health condition.
The Tigers made the announcement on Thursday, saying in a statement the decision was made with Yarran’s best interests at heart.
“Chris, together with the Club’s medical and welfare staff, felt it was in his best interests to seek professional treatment away from the Club,” the statement read.
“With Chris’ health and wellbeing the number one priority, no timeframe has been put on his return to football.”
Yarran was a big-name recruit for the Tigers this past off-season, arriving from Carlton in exchange for pick 19 in the AFL draft, but his transition to the club has been far from ideal. The 25-year-old turned up for Richmond’s pre-season training overweight and twice injured his calf before the start of the season proper.
Yarran also underwent surgery in March in a bid to repair a foot problem which has hampered him in recent seasons, and, as a result, is yet to play an AFL game for the Tigers.
Yarran isn’t the first player to take a break from the game in such a manner. Last year, Sydney Swans star forward Lance Franklin stepped aside from the AFL finals to undergo treatment for a mental health condition.
While there was no timeframe placed on Franklin’s return to the game then, the key forward has since returned to the AFL in close to career-best form, and currently sits atop the goalscoring charts for 2016.
Full statement from the Richmond Tigers:
Chris Yarran will take indefinite leave from the Richmond Football Club as he seeks treatment for a mental health condition.
Chris, together with the Club’s medical and welfare staff, felt it was in his best interests to seek professional treatment away from the Club.
With Chris’ health and wellbeing the number one priority, no timeframe has been put on his return to football.
The Club will continue to provide Chris with all the support he needs during this period, and it asks that his privacy be respected during this time.
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