The Blues’ young playing list was faced with a number of challenges in 2018, and as a result, finished the year with fewer wins than previous seasons.
However, the valuable experience gained by first and second-year players, coupled with the resilience built within the team, will no doubt hold the Club in good stead for years to come.
With the side now on a break, we’re analysing each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No. 21, Jarrod Garlett.
GAMES
2018: 11
Career: 28
GOALS
2018: 5
Career: 15
BY THE NUMBERS (averages in brackets)
Disposals: 123 (11.2) Marks: 35 (3.2) Tackles: 36 (3.3) Score involvements: 23 (2.1) Inside 50s: 18 (1.6) Clearances: 15 (1.4) Metres gained: 2026 (184.2)
2018 IN FOCUS
Jarrod Garlett’s return to the AFL yielded 11 senior games in his first year at Carlton, with eight of those coming in the first nine games.
Taken with the last pick (No.78) in the 2017 national draft, Garlett was seeking a fresh start at the Blues. However, a shoulder injury sustained in the JLT Community Series match against St Kilda disrupting his lead-in to 2018.
Playing predominantly in the forward line with spurts on the wing, Garlett showed glimpses of his talent with five goals in his first four games.
Heading into his second pre-season at Ikon Park, Garlett will be hoping to put his best foot forward and add to his first batch of games in the navy blue.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Garlett’s best performance was arguably his first one for the Blues, when he was one of four Carlton players to make his club debut.
View this post on Instagram@jarrod.garlett will forever cherish his first goal in the navy blue. #AFLTigersBlues #BoundByBlue
Fronting up against the reigning premiers, Garlett kicked two goals in the opening term as his new side burst out of the blocks against the Tigers. He also collected 17 disposals — his most for the season.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT
Garlett formed part of the inner circle when he sung the famous Lily of Laguna for the first time in Round 8. One of seven first-time winners for the Club, Garlett recorded five tackles as Carlton clung on to defeat Essendon by 13 points back in May.
