New Gold Coast SUNS recruit Jarrod Garlett admits he is still getting his head around the fact he is finally an AFL player.

The prodigious talent from Western Australia was selected with pick 15 in last Thursday night’s national draft following a stellar season for both his state and for South Fremantle in the various WAFL grades.

“I just took awhile just to believe it, I couldn’t really believe it. I’m still trying to get used to it, its still sinking in on me,” Garlett told reporters during his first official appearance as a Gold Coast SUN.

“My family, they just went off, they couldn’t believe it either, tears of joy I think.

“I was just really excited to get over here and start training.”

His grandparents have raised him since he was just three months old and Garlett didn’t dismiss the reality he may face homesickness issues during the early stages of his football career.

“I’m doing fine at the moment, but I can see it coming along pretty soon. I’ll just have to manage it when it happens,” Garlett said.

“There’s a lot of boys that actually have had to move away from the states where they are most comfortable, there’s a lot of help out there if I get homesick.”

GC SUNS List & Strategy Manager, Scott Clayton, revealed Garlett is blessed with elite athletic capabilities, but his determination to get the most out of himself was his most attractive quality.

“The thing that really underpins that is some self-belief. Jarrod believes he’s going to be a really good player and we agree. He’s really driven and ambitious,” Clayton said.

“He’s got a history and evidence of doing a lot of extras, running in the morning with his grandfather (who) has given him a program. He’s worked exclusively through the last couple of years doing that so he’s drive underpins it.

“His speed/endurance combination is quite elite. His top speed in games measured by GPS is through the roof; so his running ability is quite elite.

“He tackles and his tough and he’s a great kick both sides of his body, so he’s going to be a beautiful inside/outside player.”