He started playing under-9s football at age five, graduated from Sacred Heart College as the second-youngest in his class, and made his SANFL league debut for West Adelaide at just 16.
While Hartlett, who was snapped up by Port Adelaide with pick number four in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, has undeniable natural talent, it’s his impressive drive and unwavering ambition that has helped him get to where he is today.
Hartlett grew up idolising older brother Adam and, despite being four years his junior, pitted himself against his sibling and the other big boys at every opportunity.
“We’ve got a video at home of me on my first day of school. Adam, who was in year four or five, was having a kick with his mates and I was out there having a kick as well,” Hartlett told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“It’s a mindset that I have; I want to go that extra level and set a standard higher than others around me and my age.”
The skilful Edwardstown junior, who is also a handy cricketer, developed a desire to play AFL football at an early age after watching former Adelaide star Tony Modra in action.
When Adam was picked up by Carlton in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft, the younger Hartlett had added incentive to make it in the AFL.
“Being brothers, you always try to outdo one another,” Hartlett said.
“Adam’s set the benchmark of getting drafted and he’s played a few games now, so that’s exactly what I’m looking to do.”
Hartlett, whose father Graeme was a talented footballer in Mildura, began preparing for life in the AFL long before he was drafted.
In 2006, just weeks after starring for South Australia at the U16 Championships, Hartlett spent a week at Alberton through the AIS-AFL Academy program.
Hartlett was restricted to walking in a moon boot after a friend, who ironically also works for the Power, accidentally reversed over his left foot with his car. But Port Adelaide runner and club stalwart David Arnfield didn’t see the injury as an excuse, and Hartlett certainly wasn’t looking for one.
“I was just recovering from an ankle operation and (Player Welfare and Development Officer) Stuey Cochrane ran me down to the hospital to get my moon boot off,” Hartlett said.
“I came back to the club and then that afternoon 'Arnie' (Arnfield) ran me through a sweatbox session on the bike. He cooked me, and I ended up throwing up. It was the first time I’d ever been sick from a training session.
“'Arnie' probably doesn’t remember it, but I certainly do.”
Last year, Hartlett took time off from his day-job on the Adelaide Metro switchboard to spend a week learning the ropes at Carlton with Adam.
For the Power, Hartlett’s 5.30am starts at Adelaide Metro served as further evidence of the 18-year-old’s outstanding character and dedication.
“I had a year off and worked at Adelaide Metro in the city full-time. I was really just waiting for d-day (draft day) to come and, eventually, it did,” Hartlett said.
“All through winter when footy was on, I had to get up at 5:30am and be at the tram stop by 6:20am. I started work at seven in order to be able to make it to footy training on time. It was shocking, especially during the winter months.
“I keep trying to rack my brain every now and then, when a bus goes by, to see where it’s going. I’ve lost a bit of touch though ...”
