For Yarran, the prodigiously-gifted former Swan Districts forward taken with the Blues’ first round selection (sixth overall) in the 2008 National AFL draft, and only 17 matches into his senior League career, it’s a welcome vote of confidence.
“I’m happy to sign a new two-year deal with the club,” Yarran said at Visy Park today. It’s good enough for me that the coaches and everyone have got faith in me for a two-year deal. I was rapt with it when I got it and hopefully I can return the favour and play some good footy to the end of this year and in the two years to come.”
Thankfully the negotiation process went smoothly for Yarran and his Manager Paul Connors - the club having notified both parties early in the year that a new contract would be struck.
“Luckily the contract came through [because] I love Carlton, I love the club and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Yarran said.
With the contract now done and dusted, Yarran looks forward to the task at hand - to meeting the team goal of solidifying a final eight berth and going one better than in September 2009.
“We just need to regroup after the weekend’s performance and get the confidence back . . . it’s a long year, but we’ve just got to get that consistency . . . ,” he said.
“For me, it’s just a case of keeping my spot in the seniors and playing some good footy.”
Perhaps his own harshest critic, Yarran felt he should have got a better return than six senior matches in his maiden season of 2009. A solid pre-season through 2009/10 undoubtedly aided his cause.
“As a high draft pick I thought I let the club down. I didn’t really play enough games as I thought I should, so I just wanted to repay the faith the club had in me,” he said.
“They drafted me pretty high and I thought I let them down a bit last year . . . but this year I’m having a lot of fun and I’m playing some good footy.
