Carlton speedster Chris Yarran likes to burn through the midfield – but come next week he’ll be focusing on putting fires out.

Yarran has revealed he’s about to begin training as a firefighter, telling radio 6PR he hopes to pave to way for a new career post-football.

“Once I finish footy hopefully I can walk into a fire department and finish off my life there as a fireman,” Yarran said.

The 23-year-old from Western Australia will face-off against friends when Carlton takes on the Eagles at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

But Yarran says the battle lines will be firmly drawn and he won’t be speaking to the likes of Nic Naitanui in the lead-up to the game.

“You don’t want to get too caught up in friendship when you’ve got to go out there and play, but I will no doubt be giving him a call if we win,” Yarran said.

The Blues sit 16th on the ladder with just the one win so far this season, while West Coast is fourth with three wins and two losses.

Yarran is expecting a tough contest, but believes the Blues’ run could get them over the line.

“They’re going to load up with their talls I think …. so if we can get them with our speed and offensive run, I think it will go a long way toward winning the game.”