Richmond was unwavering in its belief that Chris Yarran would become a Tiger, despite negotiations with Carlton going right down to the wire on the final day of the AFL’s 2015 trade period.
And, the highly-skilled speedster remained steadfast all the way through that it was Richmond, and Richmond alone, where he wanted to continue his AFL career.
“We were really confident that he’d always end up at Tigerland. Things dragged on a little bit longer than what we would have liked . . . but it’s a good result in the end for the Club,” Richmond’s General Manager of Football Dan Richardson told the Club’s official podcast ‘Talking Tigers’.
“And, I can tell you, Chris is pumped to be a Tiger player . . . When the news came through officially, he was really excited.”
Richardson claimed the fact it took up until the final half-hour before the trade deadline for Richmond to secure the trade for Yarran, was a reflection of how highly Carlton rated him.
“He obviously didn’t have a great year for them this year, but he’s certainly played some good footy for them, and I think they were reluctant to let him go, even though he was very keen to get a fresh start somewhere,” Richardson said.
“All I can say to fans out there is it dragged on a bit, but that’s probably a reflection of the fact that Carlton weren’t willing to give him up easily.”
Although Yarran has shown the capacity throughout his seven-year AFL career to be effective in a variety of on-field roles, Richmond has earmarked him to play as a rebounding half-back.
“I think that is his preferred position . . . that’s where he plays his best footy,” Richardson said.
“He’s obviously capable, with his speed, of kicking goals from that position, but he’s also capable as a small forward as well.
“‘Dimma’ (senior coach Damien Hardwick) and the coaches will make that call . . . But primarily the decision’s been around another rebounding defender to help our run from half-back and complement Bachar (Houli), who probably plays a lone hand at times in that regard.”
VIDEO: Watch Chris Yarran at his very best
Richardson also provided an insight into the Tigers’ decision to secure a trade late last week for tough, inside midfielder Jacob Townsend from Greater Western Sydney.
“Look, I’m sure fans out there may think we’d like a bigger name than a Jacob Townsend. But we believe Jacob will be a really solid player for us,” Richardson said.
“From a needs perspective, he’s a tough, inside midfielder with a slightly bigger body than some of our other ‘mids’ . . .
“Apart from being a good player himself, I’m sure he’ll help our other good players like (Trent) Cotchin, and some of the other midfielders.”
Richardson likened Townsend to recently-retired, strongly-built, hard-nosed Richmond midfielders Daniel Jackson and Shane Tuck.
“He’s extremely tough, he’s hard at the footy and at the man, not unfairly, from a tackling perspective,” Richardson said.
“But he can play the game, too.
“He’s a clearance player . . . he kicks goals from clearances . . .
“We feel Jacob will be a really good acquisition.”
