Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph has serious reservations as to whether Chris Yarran will return to the AFL with Richmond.
Yarran signed with a the club on a four year deal and the end of 2015, but failed to play single game with the Tigers in 2016 due to a foot injury, before receiving time off to deal with a mental health condition.
“Chris is yet to prove that he’s going to play football again to be honest,” Ralph told KB on Hungry for Sport.
“I think he signed a four year deal at Richmond, he’s had a lot of issues and he’s trying to work through those now.
“I think he was back in Perth over the off season, I think young Tom Couch who’s a part of the fitness staff and also plays VFL, had a great year in the VFL has been over there helping him.
“There’s some people you think they’ve got an issue, I’m sure they’ll overcome it. I think with Chris he needs to prove that that’s possible.
“I think that Richmond would be hopeful rather than wildly optimistic that Chris will come back and play (in 2017).”
Click here to view Chris Yarran's SEN Inside Football Player Ratings
Time to go Brett?
Ralph also feels it might be time for Richmond to let go of Brett Deledio, so they can sign Dion Prestia from the Gold Coast Suns, while not giving up their prized pick six in this year’s draft.
“I suppose my point is Brett Deledio is 29, he is 30 in April…I love him as a player, I’ve loved his durability,” he said.
“I would think Richmond aren’t going to win a Premiership in the next three years and anyone who thinks they will, it’s a pipedream.
“Maybe the tough decision is to say Brett, we will help trade you to the Gold Coast or to a third party, that allows them to get in a youngster in Prestia and also keep that pick six.”
Click here to view Brett Deledio's SEN Inside Football Player Ratings
Click here to view Dion Prestia's SEN Inside Football Player Ratings