Jarrod Garlett Biography

Carlton makes the first significant changes to its list ahead of what looms as an important off-season for the club by delisting five players.

Experienced ruckman Matthew Lobbe and forward Jarrod Garlett lead the list of players to depart the club, with youngsters Pat Kerr, Angus Schumacher and Kym LeBois also delisted.

Jarrod Garlett says he is feeling good about his second chance at an AFL career with Carlton.

"Carlton feels like a great club to be at … it feels like it's a real good culture here," he said.

"I feel way better compared to when I first moved away – I feel a lot more comfortable and know what to expect now – and I know I'm feeling way more settled than I was at Gold Coast."

Jarrod Garlett is well placed to have an immediate impact in his return to the AFL and could prove to be a bargain pick-up for Carlton, according to his WAFL coach Todd Curley.

"He's got a lot of elite attributes with his speed and vision, and he certainly sees the game really well, so to get him at pick No.78 could turn out to be a bargain," Curley said.

"Having to sit out for a year as well and watch guys he played with or against, I think that would have made it really clear to him how important it is to him."

Carlton draft former Sun Jarrod Garlett with the final pick of the 2017 NAB AFL Draft.

Garlett, 2014's No.15 draft pick, was playing with South Fremantle in the WAFL at the time, having moved home to Western Australia at the end of 2016 after learning his older brother Desmond Lawson had suffered a burst blood vessel in his brain and had only months to live.

When Lawson stunned doctors by suddenly making a return to full health, Garlett, who had been contracted with the Suns until the end of 2018 before successfully seeking a release from that deal, started to entertain the idea of returning to the AFL.

"In his year in South Fremantle he didn't set the world on fire but there were some attributes there that meant you could probably understand why Gold Coast took him with a first-round pick a few years ago," Silvagni said.

"He's probably the outside midfielder, someone who runs really well. He's really skilful and he does tackle.

"And the fact he's going to be 21 years of age, you're not bringing an 18-year-old in to your system."

Gold Coast has backflipped on its original restriction to stop Jarrod Garlett playing in the AFL for two years.

Garlett, who signed a two-year extension in August, has been released from his contract to return home to Western Australia to deal with a private family matter.

Despite his release, the Suns said the 20-year-old would not be able to play in the AFL for two years (the duration of his contract).

But late on Tuesday night the club amended its original statement to say there was no restriction should he decide to play on.

"A significant change in circumstances with his family back in Western Australia led to Jarrod making the decision it was in his, and his family’s, best interests to be released from his contract," Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"We continue to work with Jarrod and his management to ensure Jarrod's transition into life away from the AFL is as smooth as possible and we wish him and his family all the very best in the future."

Jarrod Garlett signs a two year deal with Gold Coast that will keep him at the club until the end of 2018.

"I am incredibly grateful and rapt to extend my contract with Gold Coast," Garlett said.

"The playing group have stuck together and each day we’re driving each other to be better.

"I knew there it would be difficult to move away from family in Perth to play AFL footy, but the club welcomed me in from day one and I have always been surrounded by strong support."

Almost two years into his fledgling career, Gold Coast small forward Jarrod Garlett has learnt so much about himself and his football, and seems to have turned a corner.

After being drafted by the Suns in 2014, Garlett made the trip across the country from his Perth home and had some difficulties adjusting to AFL life, but has since knuckled down.

"I've picked up you have to be more professional about everything you do on and off field," Garlett said.

"Even off field, you get watched more than on field. Everyone here has to be a leader and stand up sometime."

Jarrod Garlett makes his AFL debut for Gold Coast at the MCG with 5 disposals (3 kicks and 2 handballs) and a mark in a 26-point loss to Melbourne.

Jarrod Garlett makes an impressive start for the Suns in their NAB Challenge game against the Cats.

Garlett kicked two goals – one a freakish effort in windy conditions from the right boundary line – and contributed to the Suns' suffocating forward pressure.

"Forward pressure is something I've been working on," Garlett said.

"If I want to play forward, I'd rather have that defensive side that will make it a lot easier. You can turn it over and hopefully get a score out of that as well."

Gold Coast selects Jarrod Garlett with pick No.15 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"He's got that beautiful speed and endurance combination," Suns list manager Scott Clayton said.

"He's tough, he's a great runner, he's a great ball user and he puts high value on work and he wants and expects to be a great player - they're great traits.

"He's a chance of being an absolute elite AFL player."