Former Essendon legend Tim Watson believes clubs would strongly consider handing Chris Yarran an AFL lifeline, if he can get fit and be in the right headspace.
The former Carlton and Richmond defender has revealed in an online video, that an addiction to ice ruined his life and football career.
Watson said while Yarran would likely have to come back via the rookie list, some clubs would say if they could get him in good shape, they could get him to grasp the opportunity.
“Yarran could still build a football career if that’s a world he wants to re-enter. He was a prodigious talent, the margin for error for him now is pretty slim,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
"I'm prepared to say though, his name will come up in discussions at clubs today.
"What if we could get him fit?' They'll be saying, maybe he has now reached a point in his life that he understands and wants to grab hold of the opportunity to better his life.
"He's a young man the possibilities are endless, there is no reason outside him not wanting to that he couldn't be playing AFL footy in 2018, he may have to do it via the rookie list but there is no reason he can't be doing that."
AFLPA player development general manager Brett Johnson said there shouldn’t be an assumption that the industry has not provided Yarran support along his journey, nor tested positive.
"There shouldn't be an assumption made that Chris was never tested positive and just because people don't know about it, there shouldn't be any assumption the industry hasn't provided him with help along the way,” he said.
“It's clear to see in the last couple of years of his contract Chris was dealing with some significant issues and it's great to see now that he's come out the other end."
SEN news breaker Sam McClure says Yarran’s goal is to make it back to the AFL, but says he is likely to play WAFL football in 2018.
“He’s played some football this year in the WAFL reserves (for Swan Districts),” he said.
“The plan for Chris Yarran as I understand it is to play 12 months in the WAFL next year, and he is desperate to get back to the AFL.”