TALENTED West Australian teenager Dayle Garlett says he has turned his attitude around, and is ready for a shot at AFL football.
The 19-year-old small forward was overlooked in last year's NAB AFL Draft despite being considered one of the top prospects on ability alone, with clubs concerned about his off-field approach.
Fearing his hopes of an AFL career were dashed, he considered giving football away altogether, before making the decision to return to Swan Districts in the WAFL.
What followed was an outstanding 2013 season, in which the left-footer booted 48 goals and averaged 16 disposals a game, polling a club-high 24 Sandover Medal votes.
Just as importantly, he says he found stability in his preparation, improved his approach to diet and nutrition, studied to become a personal trainer, and even parted ways with friends he felt were having a negative influence.
"It was definitely tough [being overlooked at the draft]," Garlett told AFL.com.au on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium, where he is one of more than 100 hopefuls participating in the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
"I didn't do a pre-season for Swan Districts because I wanted to have some time off.
"The first thing that came into my mind was that I didn't have a second chance, so I had to think about what I wanted to do with my life.
"But once I found out that I did have a second chance, I went back to footy, and ever since then I haven't missed a beat.
"From there on I've just wanted to play AFL footy."
When he turned up at Swan Districts on the eve of the season, Garlett said his skinfold measurements had slipped out to 68cm.
Through hard work, he has improved that figure to a far more palatable 53cm, and believes he is equipped to handle the rigours of an AFL environment.
Having received positive feedback from clubs about his turnaround, he said the ideal scenario would see him drafted to Victoria.
However, he would be just as happy if offered a chance by one of the two clubs in his home state.
"I reckon I'm ready to play AFL football," Garlett said.
"I would love to go somewhere in Victoria, just so I can be a nobody and focus on my football.
"One of the main things if I get drafted at home is I could have setbacks, like mates trying to bring me down.
"[However] this year I've given some of those mates up to focus on my football.
"So I reckon if I get drafted back at home, it wouldn't bother me – I'd be able to do the same thing and just focus on my footy career back at home."
Garlett said parting ways with those mates was difficult, but something that had to be done.
"I gave them up for my future and my career, and just surrounded myself with good people who I know want the best for me," he said.
"It was definitely tough telling them that I can't hang out with them anymore ... but I've just moved on from it, and I feel more comfortable now than I was before."
Garlett credited his family – his mother and step-father – with helping him get back on track, along with his coaches and teammates at Swan Districts.
He is now fully focussed on testing well at the combine, as he seeks to continue building the trust of recruiters.
"They (the recruiters) said I didn't look like I really wanted it last year," he said.
"But coming into this year, they've said they can see a change in me, and that I've proved a fair bit that I want to play AFL footy this year.
"But that's not it – I obviously have to keep proving it, which I'm going to do.
"I definitely feel like I'm more eager to grab an AFL career.
"I definitely love my footy more now.
"I've thought about it, and footy is my No.1 thing, besides my family."
