Fremantle star Michael Walters has revealed his anguish at childhood friend Chris Yarran’s jail sentence, wondering whether he could have intervened to stop his drug-fuelled downward spiral.

Walters famously grew up on Bushby St in Midvale with fellow 2008 national draftees Nic Naitanui and Yarran, the former Carlton defender who is serving a five-year jail term over a methamphetamine-related rampage in November last year.

Walters said Yarran had provided strong support when he went through his own career crisis in early 2012, as he was banished to train with WAFL club Swan Districts for being overweight.

Camera Icon Chris Yarran’s AFL career was cut short. Credit: AAPIMAGE

Now a respected part of the Dockers’ leadership group, Walters speaks to Fox Footy’s On The Mark tonight, sharing his heartbreak over the paths of Chris Yarran and former Fremantle teammate Shane Yarran, another childhood friend who took his own life last year.

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“Whenever I needed something, Nic Nat was there, Chris Yarran was there. Chris was over in Carlton at this stage and I remember he used to always message me and ask me how I’m going, if I need any help with anything,” he said.

“Everyone that’s come into contact with Chris knows that he’s a genuine bloke — harmless, kind, caring. And for him to be where he is now, it’s a rough patch but I have full faith that he’s going to come out and be a better person.

“It’s one of those things that I think about behind closed doors. I don’t really want to bring it out, especially around my family and my kids and stuff like that.

“But you definitely think about that and you think where did it go wrong? Could I have been more help for him? When my chips were down, he was there. Why wasn’t I there?

“I’m not sure whether I could have done more, but you always have those little thoughts going through your head every now and then.”

Play Video Troubled AFL footballer Chris Yarran has been jailed for five years for a 'meth rampage' last year. The West Australian Video Troubled AFL footballer Chris Yarran has been jailed for five years for a 'meth rampage' last year.

Walters said he was hit hard by the death of Shane Yarran, who he used to drive to training with when they were on Fremantle’s list together in 2016.

“It did hurt me. It was hard to go through. The same as with Chris, I’ve known Shane all my life as well. I’ve known their family all my life and even now, we still talk to his family and stuff like that,” he said.

“It did cut me deep, knowing that in a matter of minutes someone that you’re close with is gone.”

Watch the full interview on FOX FOOTY’S On The Mark tonight at 6.30pm WA time on Foxtel

Walters said a school photograph had been a poignant reminder of the different paths people’s lives could take.

“Nico (Naitanui) sort of alluded to it, we could have counted three or four boys that were in jail at the moment or that had been to jail. It doesn’t make them any different, but you sort of wonder could that have been us?,” he said.

Camera Icon Nic Naitanui shared this image of the trio after Yarran was jailed. Credit: Twitter

“Back then it was easy to slip off and go down a different path. At times we did. Although Midland/Midvale is known as a bad place, it definitely made me who I am today and the person I am. And the people around me were unbelievable as well.”

Walters said becoming a father had been the inspiration for turning his career around. He said even coach Ross Lyon didn’t know if Walters would add to his 11 games.

“Even speaking with him now, he wasn’t sure whether I was going to come back (from Swans) or whether it was the last time he saw me,” he said.

“I jumped in my car and I drove off. I came back home. (My wife) Marnie was pregnant at the time. I was 21, my career was on the line and I said to Marnie ‘look I think I just want to quit footy. I don’t want to play no more. It’s not fun no more, it’s not enjoyable’.

“The motivation was definitely well and truly gone. But she said ‘nah hang in there. I’m pregnant. What are you going to do outside of footy?’. But she also said ‘look it’s up to you. If you want to quit footy, quit footy but make sure you have something to do’.

“That was the turning point — like I’ve got a kid on the way. Find something to do now or just work your butt off, prove everyone wrong and get back there and make a living for your family. And that’s what I did.”

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