No rulebook for AFL draft pick Garlett

Surprise AFL draft pick Dayle Garlett will be treated like any other young Hawthorn recruit.

Hawthorn shock draft pick Dayle Garlett won't have a wad of extra rules imposed on him as he adjusts to life in the AFL.

One-time party boy Garlett was the surprise pick in this week's draft, chosen at No.38 with the Hawks' second pick.

But coach Alastair Clarkson says the super-talented 19-year-old will face no more restrictions than the club's other young picks.

"Whether it's Dayle or whether it's James (Sicily) or whether it's Billy (Hartung) ... the parameters and challenges will be the same for all three of them," Clarkson told reporters after a speech to the Property Council of Australia in Hobart.

"A little bit different in terms of their environments and where they've come from, but basically these are 18-year-old boys that need some protocols put around them to give them the best chance to be a professional footballer."

The two-time premiership coach rejected suggestions Garlett represents a risk for the Hawks after every AFL club overlooked him last year.

"We held that view too but we're satisfied enough with the things he's been able to put in place over the course of 2013 that he deserves an opportunity," Clarkson said.

"He's still got a lot of work to do and he acknowledges that and we acknowledge that.

"But we reckon the lad deserves a chance."

The under-18 All Australian midfielder faces a major adjustment when he makes the move from Western Australia, where he booted 48 goals in the WAFL this year.

"That could be a good thing or it could be a challenge for him," Clarkson said.

"We'll just have to wait and see."

The Hawks mentor said all young draft picks needed support from clubs to develop into AFL footballers.

"We drafted 60 or 70 kids ... and we're asking these 17, 18-year-old lads to be professional athletes overnight," Clarkson said.

"We need to put some protective parameters around all these boys to make sure that they don't spit out in 12 months or two years at really vulnerable times of their lives trying to play professional sport.

"So we've got a significant challenge as a code."


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Source: AAP


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