When Rodney Eade called young draftee Jarrod Garlett and asked him to meet him for a coffee, the livewire forward thought he had drawn the ire of the veteran coach.

Little did he know when he drove down to meet Eade on his day off, he would be returning home with the knowledge that he had been included in the round one 22. A dream turning to reality was only days away.

The softly spoken West Australian played in all three of the NAB Challenge games, impressing with his merciless pursuit of opposition ball carriers. His polished skills and clean hands have seen him rise up the ranks and cement a spot inside the Gold Coast SUNS' attacking 50.

“He wanted me to meet up with him for a coffee just close to his house. I wasn’t quite sure what it was for, I thought I was in trouble, but it happened to be good news,” Garlett told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.

Garlett and his grandparents share a special bond after they raised him from the age of three months and helped mould him into the person he is today. In a previous interview with goldcoastfc.com.au, Garlett credited his grandfather for being responsible for getting him to the elite level. The pair’s bond is extremely tight.

The 18-year-old is yet to break the news of his selection to his grandparents as of yet, but you get the feeling they will be over the moon with his achievement.

“They should be pretty rapt, I haven’t really spoken to them properly yet. I’m hoping they’ll be pretty happy for me,” Garlett said.

Last year’s pick No. 15 will make his debut alongside fellow draftee and current housemate Touk Miller. Garlett appreciates the opportunity to share the momentous occasion with someone who could be a part of a long journey.

“It’s actually pretty good, it’s pretty exciting for us. Both of the two boys, all of us got drafted at the same time. It's really good to have an early start with him.”