Fallen Hawks recruit in custody
Fallen Hawthorn recruit Dayle Garlett is in custody after allegedly stealing a car and committing an aggravated burglary while on bail.
The 20-year-old is accused of driving a stolen vehicle to a Greenmount home between Friday and Sunday when the residents were out, breaking in and stealing electrical goods and clothing.
He was remanded in custody when he faced Midland Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, less than six months after walking away from a career with the AFL premiers.
When they arrested him on Tuesday, police charged him with aggravated burglary, stealing and stealing a motor vehicle.
He was also charged with breach of bail after warrants were issued for his arrest over allegations he had previously failed to appear in court on other charges.
The charges cap a fall from grace for the Swan Districts product, once rated as one of the most talented footballers produced by WA for years.
Mr Garlett appeared destined to star at the game's elite level after he was rewarded for turning his off-field behaviour around and improving his fitness during last year by being recruited by Hawthorn.
But in March, just four months after moving to Melbourne, he quit the Hawks to return to WA, citing home-sickness and an inability to meet the demands of the game.
He played five games for Wheatbelt club Dandaragan after his old WAFL club Swan Districts told him they would not accept him back for the 2014 season. He then requested a transfer in June to play for WA Amateur Football League fifth division club Swan View.
Swan Districts yesterday declined to comment.
Swan View president Tony Cuccaro said the young footballer had transferred to the amateur club to play alongside family and friends.
"We know he is a troubled boy," Mr Cuccaro said. "We gave him the opportunity, of course. If he's in trouble, we would try to help as much as we could, if we could."
Mr Garlett will reappear in Midland court next Friday.
