Chris Yarran committed to playing AFL again after 12 months out of the game with mental health issues

A RELAXED Chris Yarran has broken his silence after a year out of the game and revealed his burning desire to return to playing the game he loves in 2017. SEE THE PICS

A RELAXED and smiling Chris Yarran on Saturday revealed his burning desire to return in 2017 to playing the game he loves.

Yarran, 25, was speaking after completing a fitness circuit at the Tan track under the supervision of his personal trainer Tom Couch.

The pair have been a constant over the past three months as Yarran attempts to rebuild his career with Richmond after missing the entire 2016 season due to mental health issues.

He admits to being a few kilograms overweight but claims he is mentally and physically ready to begin training with Richmond on Monday, November 7.

Chris Yarran has been training with a personal trainer, Tom Couch in a bid to return to AFL. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“There were times during the year when I doubted myself, doubted whether I would ever play again but I’m in a steady place now and I’m ready to start playing some good footy,” said Yarran, who has played 119 games since his debut for Carlton in 2009.

“My personal issues are taken care of and this is the best I’ve felt and looked for quite some time. I really missed playing and I’m doing everything in my power to make sure I play again.

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“All I want to do is get back and play some decent footy for the Richmond Football Club which I’m quite capable of doing.”

Couch said Yarran had lost 4kg in the past two weeks and had another 4kg to lose.

Chris Yarran takes a drink during his personal training session. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Yarran read recent criticism of his current physical condition and while accepting it goes with the territory, also says people shouldn’t judge him too quickly.

“I can’t control other people’s opinions but they should look back at my history at Carlton which showed I would come back a little bit overweight but always dropped it quickly. I think people are overreacting because I didn’t play at all in 2016,” he said.

“What I have to do is get out on the training track and have a healthy pre-season. I’ve had a few calf injuries but there’s been no sign of that recently and my general fitness isn’t too bad.

Chris Yarran says he’s working hard in his bid to return to football. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“There’s no reason why I can’t join the main training group pretty quickly. What I have done with Tommy (Couch) has put me in really good stead.”

Yarran was drafted by Carlton with pick No.6 in the 2008 national draft before being traded to Richmond at the end of 2015 for pick 23.

The Tigers’ plan has always been to employ Yarran’s rare evasive skills and pinpoint disposal off halfback.