The 27-year-old appeared in Armadale Magistrates Court in Perth on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to unlawful wounding over an alleged assault in July 2015 - four months before he was drafted by the Dockers.

A Trial allocation hearing has been set for February 28.

Yarran also faces a separate charge over an assault allegedly involving a family member and previously indicated he would plead not guilty to that offence.

He will appear in court for that matter on February 7.

Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said in a statement at the time that it was agreed by all parties that it was in Yarran's best interests to retire immediately.

"It was a difficult decision for Shane to reach, but both he and his management believe that focusing on his personal and off-field matters at this time needs to take priority over his football career," he said.