Originally from ACT AFL club West Canberra, Garton was a member of Glenelg's back to back South Australian National Football League (SANFL) premiership winning teams in 1985 and 1986.
[2] He contributed four goals in their 1985 grand final win over North Adelaide.
Garton, now aged 25, made his league debut in a 103-point loss to Carlton and during the match kicked his only VFL goal.
[3] He appeared again the following week when the Bears met the Sydney Swans at Carrara but would have to wait until 1988 to play his third and final game, against Melbourne on the MCG.
[3] After leaving the Bears, Garton returned to Glenelg for one season before moving back to Queensland and has been involved with the Southport Australian Football Club as both a board member and interchange steward.