DAYLE Garlett appears set to play for Swan Districts in the WAFL following his exit from Hawthorn after the club formally re-listed him on Wednesday morning.
Garlett sensationally quit Hawthorn on Tuesday after struggling with the demands of being an AFL footballer.
The 20-year-old now looks set to return to the WAFL club where he made his name after WAFL Manager Cam Knapton confirmed that Swan Districts had formally requested to re-list Garlett.
"Any former WAFL player that is delisted or returns from the AFL, the clubs are entitled to re-list them," Knapton told AFL.com.au.
"That protects them in case any other club might want to approach them.
"That request has come through. We've done that for them this morning.
"We're happy to support Swan Districts and Dayle through that process. If he can be playing footy at some level I think that's going to be good for him."
Garlett can only become eligible to play for the WAFL club once he has been delisted from his AFL club.
Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan confirmed on Wednesday that they would delist Garlett to allow him to play football in Perth.
"To be eligible to play he will need to be formally re-registered and they won't be able to do that until he is actually delisted," Knapton said.
"He's got a few hurdles to jump though. He has to be contracted and we'd have to sign off on his contract before he is eligible to play and the registration form would have to be done. But all that stuff can be done immediately online."
Garlett would be a huge boost for Swan Districts. The 2010 WAFL premiers finished fourth last season but during the off-season have lost former Carlton player and WA Simpson medallist Wayde Twomey, as well as Charlie Cameron to the Adelaide Crows, and Rory Lobb to Greater Western Sydney.
Swans were also unable to secure the services of their 2010 Sandover Medallist Andrew Krakouer, who signed with West Perth.
Garlett not lost to AFL, says Clarkson
Garlett has played 37 senior matches for Swans, kicking 73 goals. He kicked 48 goals in 19 games last season and finished 10th in the Sandover Medal count.
"He's been a great player, an exciting player in our competition for the last couple of years," Knapton said.
"As a 19-year-old to finish high in the Sandover medal and kick 40-odd goals, he's a quality player so it's great for the competition if he's back here."
