[3] Garlett was recruited to the AFL by the Carlton Football Club with the sixth pick in the 2009 Rookie Draft.

After playing in Carlton's 2009 NAB Cup series, he was elevated off the rookie list in place of injured ruckman Robert Warnock.

Late in the season, he, as well as teammates Cameron Cloke and Eddie Betts, was internally suspended by Carlton for one game after failing to attend a recovery session.

[10] On 9 October 2014, Garlett was traded to the Melbourne Football Club after an off-field incident involving him and teammate Mitch Robinson.

[12] Garlett plays as a small crumbing forward, and his main attributes are his pace and tackling/defensive pressure, which is very effective in spite of his very light build.