HAWTHORN draftee Dayle Garlett says he is ready for life as an AFL footballer, having put his sometimes troubled past behind him.
 
Overlooked at the 2012 NAB AFL Draft despite being considered a top 10 talent amid concerns about his attitude, Garlett booted 45 goals for WAFL club Swan Districts this season.
 
After staying in contact with the Hawks throughout the year and transforming his off-field approach, he was given his chance at pick 38 in last Thursday night's draft on the Gold Coast.
 
Taking part in Hawthorn training for the first time on Monday morning, Garlett said he was now squarely focussed on winning the respect of his new teammates.
 
"The first thing to do is just focus on training and get myself right," the 19-year-old said.
 
Despite the attention that has come his way in the past 12 months, Garlett said he didn't feel he was being watched more closely than other draftees.
 
He said he had an inkling he would be selected by the Hawks, given his relationship with recruiting manager Graham Wright and senior coach Alastair Clarkson.
 
"I had maybe just a little bit of confidence, but I wasn't too confident," Garlett said.
 
"Since I was 17 the club has been in touch with me.
 
"'Clarko' sent me a bit of advice and stuff, but it was more through Graham Wright.
 
"They said just to keep my head down and focus on footy."
 

The smooth half-forward, who can also rotate into the midfield, said his turnaround in attitude had come in the months following last year's draft, where he was passed over by all 18 clubs.
 
"I came to my senses and focussed on my footy, and realised what was important in life," Garlett said.  

"If I made the AFL, I knew I'd have a great life ahead of me."

Below: Hawthorn recruits Billy Hartung, Dayle Garlett and James Sicily. Picture: AFL Media



And despite external predictions he could make an immediate impact at senior level in 2014, Garlett was in no rush to set a timeframe for his AFL debut.
 
"I'll just focus on my training and see where things go from there," he said.
 
The West Australian was joined at Box Hill City Oval by fellow Hawks draftees Billy Hartung and James Sicily.

Hartung, a hard-running midfielder taken with Hawthorn's first pick – No.24 – broke the all-time beep test record at this year's NAB AFL Combine, recording a phenomenal score of 16.6.

That record had been held by fellow Hawk Bradley Hill, who competes with fellow speedster Isaac Smith as the best runner at the club.
 
Despite his own credentials, Hartung said he did not expect to match the two premiership wingmen in the running stakes just yet.
 
"I think those boys have me covered," he said.
 
"I guess there was a bit of talk around me doing the beep test and all that, but those boys have done a few pre-seasons now, so I'm not going to put any pressure on myself.
 
"I'll do what the coaches tell me to do, and if I have to lay back on a bit of training, then so be it."
 
And Sicily, a strong-marking but still developing medium-sized forward selected at No.56, said he had much work to do to get himself ready to play senior football.
 
"I think I need to build up my endurance and my body as well, so I've got a long trip ahead," Sicily said.
 
Although Monday's session was for Hawthorn's first- to fourth-year players only, with the full senior list not due back until next Monday, Coleman medallist Jarryd Roughead was out on the track putting in extra work with his younger teammates.
 
Matthew Suckling, Ryan Schoenmakers and Alex Woodward, all victims of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in 2013, were also training, with all three expected back on the playing field early next season.
 
And delisted half-back Derick Wanganeen also took part, with an eye to being returned to the rookie list at Wednesday's rookie draft.