CARLTON livewire Jarrod Garlett has revealed the "privilege" he felt pulling on the navy blue for the first time since arriving at the Club via the NAB AFL National Draft last week.
Garlett spent the season playing for his original WAFL club South Fremantle after quitting the Gold Coast Suns at the end of 2016 on compassionate grounds due to family reasons.
The 21-year-old, who played 17 games in two seasons at Gold Coast, arrives as a ready-made recruit and is ready to get stuck into training duties with his fellow recruits.
Where Garlett was once the No.15 pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, he was the Blues' 78th pick last Friday night.
"I'm actually feeling pretty privileged to get a second chance back in the AFL system," Garlett said on Wednesday.
"Just being here since Saturday, Carlton feels like a great club to be at and I'm just really looking forward to starting this new pre-season and getting into the first JLTs … it feels like it's a real good culture here.
"I feel way better compared to when I first moved away – I feel comfortable and know what to expect now."
We can't wait to see what Jarrod Garlett has in store for us! #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/YiFQWQzZVg
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) November 29, 2017
Garlett's life changed in an instant last year when his brother, Desmond Lawson, told him he had a burst blood vessel on his brain and doctors had given him as few as six months to live.
The news came just weeks after the 2016 NAB AFL Trade Period. Lawson has since made a remarkable recovery, which was the impetus behind his brother's wish to reignite his AFL career.
Garlett has moved in with his cousin and fellow Blue Jarrod Pickett.