Long road back for new Blue
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 tonight, it is the beating heart of his motivation to make good on his second chance.
This time 12 months ago Garlett returned to Perth from the Gold Coast, a No.15 selection from the 2014 draft who walked out months after signing that contract extension.
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.
Still, as his season progressed and Garlett began playing eye-catching senior footy, Carlton was 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 Jr was born, Garlett was handed his first game by Carlton.
Blues coach Brendon Bolton said yesterday 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 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.