Speed kills, as West Coast learnt last week. Chris Yarran is out to do the same to Adelaide Carlton's Chris Yarran has been likened to fictional movie character Forrest Gump, who just never stopped running. T Chris. CHRIS Yarran might not have seen it coming. In one of his first chats with coach Mick Malthouse, the Carlton flyer made clear his desire to move from half-back to a permanent role in the centre square. The answer, perhaps surprisingly, was no. Malthouse, the veteran coach of 28 seasons, had other plans for his 22-year-old trump card. Without an experienced big key forward, at least in the early rounds, Malthouse wanted to turn the Blues attack into one built on speed. For Yarran, the prospect of shifting back to the zone where he slotted goals from ridiculous angles on a regular basis in his draft year was even more appealing. In an era of the forward press, Yarran's eyes light up at the balls that bounce his way in space, consigning his unfortunate opponent - which last week was West Coast's Adam Selwood - to a foot race. Yarran kicked four goals and racked up 13 running bounces against the Eagles - 10 in the second quarter. It was an electrifying exhibition of speed. For Yarran, the switch forward is also more enjoyable. More natural. Playing forward allowed him to "run on instincts that I've been blessed with." "It certainly is a lot more fun," Yarran said. HAPPY IN BLUE (OR WHITE): Carlton's Chris Yarran greets the fans after the win over the Eagles. Just because you don't have that (pressure) release of trying to beat your man down back. You don't get as nervous when the ball is in the area. Obviously I played a lot of junior footy up forward and I know how to play up forward, so that's given me some help transforming back to the forward line. That's not a dig at former coach Brett Ratten, who played Yarran in defence for most of the past two years. At times, the No.6 draft pick has looked invincible back there, weaving through packs of players to launch attacks. The 67-gamer still wants to be able to swing into defence, and knows it will probably happen most games, at times. But the opportunity to finish on goal, alongside best mates Jeff Garlett and Eddie Betts, and sometimes another lightning quick forward in Dennis Armfield, brings an excited smile to his face. While the finals focus is often on contested ball and big forwards, Yarran knows speed is one of the Blues greatest weapons. "Anyone will back themselves if they have got a bit of leg-speed," Yarran said. You have just got to get that space around you. It helps because everyone is so full-on with the forward press at the moment. If you get that one or two marks outside that press, then it's coming into that space out the back. It's the worry for Adelaide, ahead of this afternoon's twilight clash at the MCG. After notching that first win of the season against the Eagles in Perth last weekend, Yarran said the team had its "mojo" back. Narrow losses to Collingwood (17 points), Richmond (five) and Geelong (16) only fuelled Carlton's belief that it was good enough to compete with the top teams. But against the Tigers, Yarran felt the emotional flip-side of playing in attack. He missed two late match-winning opportunities. One was a left-foot snap, the other running in from 40m. The latter is his bread and butter. He admitted the missed attempts had gutted him. "I was really disappointed," he said. The week after that I came in and did so many goalkicking shots on the run and would just kick all of them. I was like, 'why couldn't I do that' (last week)? Maybe it was stage fright or what not. It just happens in footy. Yarran also refused to blame a turf toe injury, which continues to trouble him 12 months after he strained the ligament under his big toe. It does (hurt to kick the footy). It's not pleasant and to this day it bothers me a bit. As much as the Round 1 misses hurt, Malthouse was consoling. He said 'don't worry about dwelling on the past. We all know you are a good kick and what not, so you've just got to kick those when you can'," Yarran said. Certainly if I get those opportunities again, I will take them, that's for sure.