He represented NSW at the 2011 U18 National Championships, where he impressed Collingwood enough for them to Rookie listed him with selection No.
[1] Hartley played five games at VFL level before injuring a shoulder that forced him to miss the rest of the 2012 season.
He required more surgery to both shoulders and missed the entire 2013 season but was delisted that year.
He was recruited by the Essendon Football Club with the 68th overall selection in the 2015 national draft.
At the conclusion of the 2019 AFL Premiership season, Hartley turned down Essendon's offer of a one-year contract.