Hawthorn could join Richmond in race for Chris YarranKathy McCabe National Music Writer
Herald-Sun
October 7, 2015HAWTHORN has roared into AFL trade discussions by inquiring about Carlton rebounding defender Chris Yarran.
Yarran is still intent on playing with Richmond, which continues to work with the Blues on a deal for the contracted 24-year-old.
The Herald Sun understands Hawthorn recently flagged its interest in Yarran.
The Hawks had this month flagged a barren trade period given a tight salary cap but their interest in Yarran shows they could again get deals done in coming weeks.
While they must retain key forward Ryan Schoenmakers, the retirements of Brian Lake and David Hale will clear up some salary cap room.
The Hawks also took off the table a deal for dual premiership defender Matt Suckling, who must now negotiate another deal or move elsewhere.
The loss of Lake, Hale, Suckling and potentially Brendan Whitecross to Brisbane would clear up to $1 million of salary cap space, most of which would be used on player retention.
Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox last month told the Herald Sun the Hawks would not be chasing the likes of Harley Bennell.
“We continue to be linked to rival players and that comes as a surprise to us,’’ he said.
“We are likely to be less active this year in terms of chasing free agents.”
The Tigers are in a strong position to secure Yarran, who they believe is the perfect addition to a side chasing rebound from defence.
Yarran finished fourth in Carlton’s 2014 best-and-fairest, with Richmond trying to acquire outside speed and defenders who can charge from defence to kick goals.
The Hawthorn model has elite ball users with pace in defence and the Tigers have prioritised that in this year’s trade period.
In 2014 he also kicked 21 goals and finished second in the AFL for running bounces, with the Tigers confident he will rediscover his zest for footy at a new club.
They will not give up their first selection — pick 12 — but if they could access a pick between 15-20 believe that is a fairer price to pay than their second-round selection.
http://www.themercury.com.au/afl-trades-2015-hawthorn-could-join-richmond-in-race-for-chris-yarran/story-fnj3twbb-1227560805107