Former AFL Blue and Demon Jeff Garlett eyes finals football with his new club Southern Districts

NEW Crocodile Jeff Garlett believes he still had a lot to offer at AFL level when Melbourne delisted him this year

Jeff Garlett snaps a goal for Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

NEW Crocodile Jeff Garlett believes he still had a lot to offer at AFL level when Melbourne delisted him this year.

The 30-year-old debuted for Southern Districts on Saturday night after 185 games with Carlton (107) and Melbourne (78).

And while Districts and Garlett were off the mark in a 38-point loss to reigning premier Nightcliff, the small forward is already eyeing finals football in the tricolours jumper.

“I’ll try and play the games required, I’ve got family up here in Darwin and my parents live in Broome, so it’s easier to just stick around,’’ Garlett said.

“I was a little bit rusty having not played any footy since July, but I love the hot weather up here compared to the cold in Melbourne.

“It is humid and the footy gets very slippery. Watching Nightcliff they were much cleaner than us and we’ll have to work on that aspect of our game.’’

Garlett joined Districts after former Darwin Buffalo Robbie AhMat pointed him north.

“Robbie used to play up here of course and he got it all done for me, plus I played with Des Corbett before I got picked up by Swan Districts in the WAFL.’’

Garlett thought he had plenty of football left in him when Melbourne parted ways with him in August this year.

“Obviously when you get to my age you see a lot of young kids coming through and I guess that’s what they’re (clubs) looking for these days,’’ he said.

“But it is what it is, I enjoyed my 11 years in the AFL system, six years at Carlton and five years at Melbourne where I loved every moment of it.

“I’ll always be very thankful for Carlton and Melbourne giving me that opportunity.’’

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