Garlett had managed just seven disposals and two tackles, and the Blues were six goals down.
Carlton fans understandably wondered – among many other things, it must be said – what was wrong with the man they affectionately referred to as "Jeffy". They were concerned about the gulf between potential and performance.
It was the first game of a new campaign, but wasn't seen as a one-off. It was feared Garlett was still in the grip of a curious malaise.
Logic says forwards are only as good as the opportunities they are afforded, but In an interview with AFL.com.au Garlett doesn’t use this as an excuse – for either his underwhelming 2012 season or his opening three quarters against Richmond.
Garlett simply says he was poor last year. Asked to elaborate, he says he just wasn't good enough and he's still not sure why. He suggests he might have had the wrong mindset, which led to a gradual loss of confidence.
He also expresses disappointment he didn’t give forward partner Eddie Betts more help.
In any case, it was a surprising stumble after a personal-best 2011 in which he kicked 48 goals (compared to 27 last year).
But the 23-year-old West Australian is showing signs he could reproduce the heroics of two years ago.
Since three-quarter-time in round one, Garlett has been electric. His past five quarters have netted 25 touches, five goals and three goal assists.
This personal revival coincided with a collective comeback, with Garlett's two final-term goals against Richmond helping Carlton get within a whisker of what would have been a remarkable victory.
Garlett followed this promising cameo with a four-quarter, command performance against Collingwood at the MCG in round two. Some Carlton watchers rated it the best effort of his 78-game, 133-goal career. (Garlett cites two efforts in 2010 as better: a six-goal bag against Essendon, and three majors in an upset win over then reigning premier Geelong – both of which earned him two votes in the Brownlow Medal).
The Blues again lost narrowly, but in an epic encounter studded with heroes and highlights, few individuals were more heroic or brilliant than Garlett.
He had an equal career-high 20 disposals (including 17 kicks, also a personal-best), kicked three goals and laid eight tackles. His clean hands, quality finishing and, of course, breakneck speed proved so influential that he was adjudged second-best-afield in the AFL Coaches Association Award.
Jeff Garlett has rebounded from a poor 2012 in his two games so far this year. Picture: AFL Media
One of the most satisfying aspects of Garlett's performance was that he had answered a personal challenge from his coaches. In the absence of the injured Betts, they implored Garlett to "take the next step" and become the team's main small forward.
"That means being focused and consistent in providing pressure, chasing and tackling. Everything else comes from that," he said.
And it did.
Two of Garlett's goals were gems.
In the second quarter, he unleashed his signature manouevre. Sharking a crumb from a pack, he evaded three would-be tacklers with a withering burst of speed, took a bounce and goaled from 40 metres.
Garlett says front-and-square takeaways are largely about "timing your run" and reading the ball off the pack.
"That time (against Collingwood) I got there at the right time, but quite a lot last year, and against Richmond, I went too early and overshot the pack. Sometimes you just have to tread water a bit. I just keep practising it over and over at training," he said.
His third goal, midway through a tense final term, was simply astonishing.
Running away from goal and with Harry O'Brien corralling him, Garlett took possession of a loose ball near the boundary at half-forward. He looked inboard but, bereft of options, decided to have a crack at the open goalsquare from about 52 metres. He swung a full-blooded snap across his body that sailed at least 50 metres on the fly and bounced straight through.
"I wasn't expecting it to go in. I was pretty shocked myself. It was pretty lucky," he said.
They say the harder you work, the luckier you get. On that score, perhaps Garlett was always destined to dominate games this season. After enjoying his first full, surgery-free pre-season, he is fitter, stronger and more explosive than ever.
The Blues set Garlett two summer goals: to put on weight and improve his endurance. He has achieved both, adding a few kilos to his light frame through eating bigger meals and pumping heavier weights. He is still learning how to carry the extra weight but can feel the benefits.
He has also improved his stamina so he can have the odd burst in the midfield.
And clearly Garlett hasn’t lost any of his trademark pace.
"I'm in a much better position physically than I've ever been, and I feel I've still got a lot of improvement (left) in me and plenty more to give," he said.
Jeff Garlett is a forward in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged 64.3 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
