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.
Cat
Roar Guru
Zero of which are AFL flags.
Carl Spackler
Guest
16 Flags. Nuff said.
Wilson
Roar Guru
I bet they are glad they only gave up pick 18 instead of 12 that got them Rioli
mattyb
Guest
I think Carl's referring to VFL era version of Carlton.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Maybe Carl's referring to pre-1983 when John Elliott became President, or pre-1987 when Carlton found themselves having to deal with this new thing called a Salary Cap?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Generally been? What pre-2000?
Paul D
Roar Guru
18 or something, wasn’t it? I think much like Bennell, you’ll have to wait till next season to see if it was a total waste or not.
Carl Spackler
Guest
A WIN for Carlton unloading this bloke. Yaz was a bludger at Carlton and only because he took such a high draft pick are clubs wasting effort on him. If he was a 2nd round pick, he would be playing WA Amateurs now. I doubt he'll be playing AFL in another year from now as well. If you look at his career he used to show glimpses here and there, but never put it together for a whole game let alone for weeks on end. Well done to Carlton's management for getting the best out of this situation. Carlton never wanted to lose Yarran or Menzel but both wanted to leave, which is weird considering what a superb club the Blues have generally been and will be again.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
What pick did Richmond sacrifice for Yarran again? I hate to say 'I told you so', but seriously, what a blunder.