JEFF Garlett has become an integral part of the Melbourne Football Club, since joining from Carlton at the end of the 2014 season, where he played 107 games and kicked 183 goals.

Now in his third season with the red and blue, Garlett has played 55 matches and booted 103 goals. This year, he is leading the club’s goalkicking with 34 goals from 16 games, with his pressure and tackling again a feature of his play.

Overall, his numbers are very impressive for a small forward.

Last week, Garlett showed great courage to play for Melbourne, following the passing of a family member back in his home state of Western Australia.

After playing in Darwin against the Adelaide Crows in round 17, Garlett flew from the Top End to Perth, before he returned to play in Melbourne’s impressive win over Port Adelaide at the MCG.

He kicked two goals and paid tribute to his cousin during the game with a salute to the sky after kicking his first goal. After much thought, he felt it was the right decision to play.

“It was definitely important to come back and play for my family, as well as my cousin, who passed away. I wanted to play for him, my family and the footy club,” Garlett told melbournefc.com.au.

“We’re coming into contention to playing finals … but I only made that decision [to play] on the Thursday at 3pm Melbourne time, because we were two hours behind [in Perth].

“I was speaking to my dad and my cousins and I said ‘what do I do?’ I didn’t know what to do, but they said ‘go back and play for my cousin and my family’, so that’s what I did. I made the decision.

“I was speaking to Goody (Simon Goodwin) over the phone and to [sports psychologist] Dave Williams and Mahns (Josh Mahoney) as well, and I just thought I’ll do the right thing by the family and they wanted me to come back and play. It was hard to do, but I was able to get it done.

“I was lucky enough to get on the end of a few and after kicking the first goal, there was some emotion in that, but I was glad that I came back and played.”

Garlett, who is well on target to kick 39 goals or more for the fifth time in his AFL career, said this year had been one of his finest in the AFL, after he was originally a rookie selection with Carlton back in late 2008. He was then a bargain trade for Melbourne three years ago.

“It’s definitely been one of my best years. It’s the fittest I’ve ever been,” Garlett said.  

“I’ve always struggled with fitness … I’m a short [running] distance person and this is probably the fittest I’ve ever been. I’ve had my good times at Carlton and I’m enjoying every moment I am here at the Melbourne Demons.”

Although he has been mentioned by media commentators as a possible All-Australian this year, it’s not something Garlett has considered, although he acknowledges it would be a privilege.

“I don’t really think about it too much to be honest. You hear rumours. You don’t take too much into it – you stay focused and do what I can do for the team,” he said.

“It is an honour to get mentioned … but I’ve got to keep my head up and play my role for the team.”

Garlett praised coach Simon Goodwin and the coaching staff for guiding the club to “an awesome year” so far, but he added that “we’re not done yet”.  

“We’re in finals contention and we’ve got five weeks to go and we can’t get ahead of ourselves,” he said.

“There has been only six of us who have played finals, so to have that experience – [we’ll] help the young guys as well to stay calm. It’s going to be nervous for sure – everyone’s been through it – and you do get nervous, because you want to give it your all. But you try and stay as calm as you can.

“I’ll do everything I can to help out, but Jordan Lewis and Bernie Vince … they are the most experienced [finals] guys and [Jordan] has been to the top and he’s very experienced with his leadership. It’ll help the young guys here.”

The almost 28-year-old said he relished being a mentor to younger Indigenous players and being one of four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at the club.

“It’s been awesome to have us three [Indigenous players] in the team. We’re trying the best we can to help ‘DJ’ (Dion Johnstone) in there,” Garlett said.

“DJ is training very well and developing into the AFL system very well. If he keeps ticking the boxes, hopefully he can get in before the end of the season.

“It’s good to get Jay [Kennedy-Harris] back in the team. His run and carry [is important], as he’s playing midfield, which is good to see. He’s got a big tank, so he can use it up the ground and forward.

“And Nev [Jetta] been awesome all year. He’s probably been the [most] underrated and best small defender in the competition. I reckon he’s the best small defender going [around].

“Hopefully the four of us can play together. He’ll (Johnstone) make the most of every opportunity he gets. He’s doing everything right at the moment and he hasn’t put a foot wrong.”

Garlett said the announcement of the club’s Reconciliation Action Plan last week was important.

“It was definitely a proud moment to be part of that,” he said.

“To get a RAP going at the Melbourne Football Club … hardly no AFL teams had the RAP and past Indigenous players would’ve loved to have had that as well and to help them get through.

“It’s a credit to have it at the Melbourne footy club.”

Garlett said he was determined to ensure he created a legacy at the club for other Indigenous players to follow.

“We want to build a pathway for young Indigenous players coming through, just like the Elders did for us, before we even came into the system,” he said.

“To have this RAP for young Indigenous kids that are struggling and need help – it’s got to be there no matter what.

“To have that in place, hopefully it can stay there forever.”

Garlett said the return of Matthew Whelan to Melbourne, as the club’s Indigenous Project Officer, was significant.

“Since Matty Whelan’s come on board, he’s played a huge role. Having him on board is good for us Indigenous players because it’s not just Jay and Dion looking up to me and Neville, because we’re the oldest ones here,” he said.

“To have another Elder there in Matty means a lot to us, so it’s someone else we can look up to as well, which is good.

“He’ll always get around us, so we always try and get us four Indigenous boys to have dinner once a fortnight, so we’ve got to keep that going for as long as we can. Having him on board is an honour.”

On Saturday, Garlett will line-up for his 163^rd AFL game against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. Although the chilly conditions mightn’t be to his liking, he’s clear on what he – and the team – have to do.

“I hate the cold. I don’t even do ice baths,” he said with a laugh.

“We’ve just got to adjust to the [weather] system, but we know what to expect.

“We’ve just got to come to play.”