Jarrod Garlett walked away from AFL for family, now it’s his motivation to make good at Carlton

FAMILY tragedy was the reason Jarrod Garlett walked away from Gold Coast. Now it is the beating heart of his motivation to make good on his second chance at Carlton.

Jarrod Garlett at Carlton training.

FAMILY tragedy was the reason Jarrod Garlett tore up a two-year contract to return to those he loved.

Now ahead of the most unlikely of Carlton debuts, it is the beating heart of his motivation to make good on his second chance.

This time 12 months ago Garlett had returned to Perth from the Gold Coast, a No.15 selection from the 2014 draft who walked out only months after signing that contract extension.

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His older brother Desmond Lawson had only months to live with a burst blood vessel on his brain, with Garlett already homesick and battling mental health issues.

The decision was easy to return home and spend the last months of Lawson’s life by his side.

Garlett ended up back at WAFL club East Fremantle, but started the year slowly in the reserves with football well down his list of priorities.

Jarrod Garlett at Carlton training. Picture: Ian Currie

Jarrod Garlett in his Gold Coast days. Picture: Jono Searle

Still, as his season progressed and Garlett began playing eye-catching senior footy, Carlton were interested enough to call him to register their interest.

In the space of several months Garlett’s life was turned on its head.

Not only did Lawson make a miraculous recovery as his symptoms eased, the Blues took the ultimate punt by drafting Garlett at pick 78 in the draft.

It was the national draft’s final pick, a Hail Mary selection.

But not only was Garlett playing for his family, he and his partner had their first child on the way.

This week as Jarrod junior was born, Garlett was handed his first game by Carlton.

Brendon Bolton and Jarrod Garlett at Carlton training.

Blues coach Brendon Bolton said that Garlett wasn’t going to waste his second and likely final chance.

“To be picking him at the number we did, he’s really, really focused this year,’’ he said.

“He knows it’s a second opportunity, in fact he’s just had a little boy this week — Jarrod junior — so he’s got real meaning and a reason to apply himself.

“He can play a variety of roles. He can play up on the wing, he can also play forward, he’s got good endurance.

“It’s his first game and hopefully he builds each week and by the end of the season he’s a real quality player for us.”

Garlett jarred his shoulder in the first JLT game with a heavy tackle on St Kilda’s Jack Steven, with fears it would sideline him for weeks.

But before that his lovely crumbing goal had exhibited his class, with Garlett’s talent never in doubt and his recovery quick enough to put him in the Round 1 mix.

With Jarrod Pickett out for three months with a broken scaphoid Garlett has the chance he might have felt would never come again.

Garlett, presented with his jumper by courageous Carlton premiership player David Glascott, said recently he already felt at home.

“I am feeling pretty privileged actually to get a second chance back in the AFL system,’’ he said.

“I am in a really good place mentally. I have got a little one on the way so that has helped me to be more determined to push harder, work harder and stay in the system longer.

“I know it is for me now. I am ready to settle down at this club and I am really enjoying Melbourne at the moment.”

Originally published as Jarrod Garlett walked away from AFL for family, now it’s his motivation to make good at Carlton