HE has been likened to an American rapper, can do extraordinary things on a football field and barely slept a wink before his first game.
Jarrod Garlett might have been with Gold Coast just over three months, but the lightning quick West Australian has already made a big impact.
Against Geelong in Townsville last Sunday, he kicked two goals – one a freakish effort in windy conditions from the right boundary line – and helped the Suns' suffocating forward pressure.
And all that came after admitting nerves got the best of him for two days before the game.
He said he "couldn't think or couldn't sleep".
His teammates have embraced the quietly confident 18-year-old, dubbing him Snoop after American rap icon Snoop Dogg.
"I'm stuck with it now," Garlett said with a laugh. "I think my uncle told (player development manager) Simon Fletcher. When I came to the club all the boys were saying it."
Not only did he make the longest journey in the game after being drafted at No.15, but Garlett left behind a close family that included his grandfather, who took him on daily 6km beach runs through his junior days.
Garlett said that while he occasionally missed home, the Suns have welcomed him with open arms.
He is living with fellow draftees Peter Wright and Touk Miller with a host family.
"I've settled in really well," he said. "Once I go home I start missing the family the first two days when I come back, but all the boys are good to be around.
"They all live away from home and they help me out a lot. We've bonded really well together."
And it shows in his play. Coaching adviser Malcolm Blight will often sit in the Metricon Stadium grandstand at training sessions and marvel at the tricks that Garlett has in his repertoire.
But the wiry cousin of Melbourne small forward Jeff wants to be known for more than that.
"Forward pressure is something I've been working on," he said.
"If I want to play forward, I'd rather have that defensive side that will make it a lot easier. You can turn it over and hopefully get a score out of that as well."
