Jarrod Garlett speaks with a stout air of appreciation when discussing his grandfather’s impact on his life. He is under no illusion that without the guidance and support from the 57-year-old, he would not be where he is today.
After being diagnosed with meningitis following his birth, Garlett’s parents decided that it was in their son’s best interest to be brought up by his grandparents in Perth – far closer to the resources required to assist him with his illness.
The 18-year-old is just a few months into his tenure at the Gold Coast SUNS, and the more time he spends away from home, the more he feels settled in southern Queensland.
Moving away from home is far from easy for anyone at that age, but given Garlett’s rather unique upbringing, the excitement machine is beginning to feel at home, albeit away from home.
Rev. Sealin Garlett, Jarrod’s grandfather, is the man who taught him the discipline to carve out a career as a professional athlete. For the last few years, the pair would rise before the sun and Jarrod would complete a gruelling running session on the sand of Coogee Beach in northern Perth.
The daily routine of five- or six-kilometre runs along the soft sand, or repetitions up and down the sand dunes, instilled an appetite for hard work in the younger Garlett. It is something that has put him on the right track during the formative stages of his football career.
“Me and my granddad, we have a really good bond with each other. Ever since I was a baby, he took me in when I was three months old,” Garlett told SUNS TV.
“When I was diagnosed with that disease called meningitis my family thought it would be better for me to stay in Perth, in the city where there is more help with the hospitals.
“Ever since then he took me in, (he) brought me up and he got me into football. A lot of the training ever since then (was with him). I don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for him.”
Since arriving back on the Gold Coast following the Christmas interval, Garlett has realised the ‘honeymoon period’ is now over. The buzz of fulfilling the first part of every boy’s dream has begun to wear off. He is now an AFL player; this is his life.
After spending time living with Jarrod Harbrow when he first arrived at the club following the National Draft, Garlett has settled with host family stalwarts Mark and Maryanne Cherry. The couple has housed a large portion of the SUNS’ list at one time or another during the club’s infancy, with Garlett, Touk Miller and Peter Wright the latest crop to spend time at their Ashmore home.
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Garlett admits he will face some difficulties with homesickness during the early stages of his time on the Gold Coast, but he is not the first SUNS player to confront those issues, and he won’t be the last.
“Everyday it feels more real as it goes on. It’s something that I’ve got to get used to. It’s something (being an AFL player) that I wanted to be,” he said.
“I’m starting to feel a lot more settled. It’s starting to sink in a little bit, but other than that it’s going quite well. I’m still getting used to it, but it is becoming more of a reality.
“A lot of the boys helped me settle in a lot, especially with the host family Mark and Maryanne. They are looking after me quite well, helping me fit in. I’m not too worried about going home just yet. I haven’t had any homesickness.”
Harbrow is not the only senior player to have left an early impression on Garlett, with club captain Gary Ablett assisting his transition to the other side of the country.
A wry grin escaped from Garlett’s face when he revealed the dual Brownlow medallist had been taking him to church with him. Faith has been a big part of the teenager’s upbringing, something his grandfather instilled in him from an early age, and something that will no doubt be helpful in his relocation.
“Jarrod [Harbrow], he’s had more of an impact (than anyone else). He was the first one I met and been with since I got here. He got me started, settled in.
“Gary Ablett, me and him have started going back to church a lot. A lot of the boys have been helpful fitting in; they’ve looked after me.”
The South Fremantle product is renowned for his polish on both sides of his body, however, his clean skills are only part of the package, with Garlett having an insatiable taste for hunting the ball carrier and taking them down with ferocious tackles.
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During the early stages of his career at Carrara, Garlett’s exquisite ball use has shone brightly on the track. Despite his evident dazzling talent, Garlett admits being captivated by some of the star quality of his teammates. He has had to pull himself out of a mild state of delirium at times to focus on the job in front of him.
“It’s actually been a really good experience just to watch them train. Sometimes you get caught ball watching and running around with the ball, you just can’t believe you’re standing right there watching them and playing alongside them. It’s a dream come true for a lot of young boys,” he explained.
Whilst Garlett’s path to the AFL is not exactly unique, the lessons taught by his grandfather have him well placed to make the most of his tantalising ability.
Football careers typically throw up more than a handful of challenges, but you get the sense that the softly spoken West Australian is determined to prove his worth at the highest level, no matter what adversity he is faced with.
