It would have been easy for Cruize Garlett to become a little unenthusiastic about his football at times this year. The crafty midfielder was playing some of his best football for North Ballarat in the VFL, but it seemed no matter what he did, he couldn’t force his way into the North Melbourne side.

Brad Scott repeated on several occasions that Garlett’s form wasn’t the issue, it was in fact the form of those ahead of him in the AFL keeping him out of the side.

"Cruize is one of the players in terrific form so eventually he has to be rewarded for that. He's been really dominant for North Ballarat so it's good for him to come back into the squad,” Scott said after naming Garlett in a 25 man squad in June.

"His work-rate is second-to-none. He's playing really good footy because he's working really hard."

Having now played the past three games against the Bulldogs, Essendon and Collingwood, the 23-year old is encouraged by his persistence.

“You just get hungry for it, playing in the VFL for so long, once you get the opportunity you just want to make the most of it,” Garlett said.

“Everyone was pretty encouraging around the club…Wellsy (Daniel Wells), Boomer (Brent Harvey) and Drewy (Drew Petrie), Andrew Swallow, all the leaders they were all encouraging.

“They told me I was doing everything right and told me that if the opportunity comes just make sure you take it.”

His numbers have been solid with 22, 21 and 15 possessions respectively. The last haul came against Collingwood and he was subbed out for Matt Campbell.

“Obviously I just came back in and played my role again. That’s what was asked of me, so I play my role and the rest comes with it.

“We’ve had hardly any injuries so we’ve had a pretty strong side which is hard to get into, but to come into the team that’s playing so well gives me plenty of confidence.”

Rated for his ability in close, Garlett will be looking to hold his spot with the finals on the horizon.

“Everyone’s different and everyone plays a different role so for me one of my best features would just be my clean hands, that’s probably the main thing I bring to the team,” he said.

But he’s also added another string to his bow; kicking goals. In the past three weeks, he’s kicked four majors, but could have had seven if he’d kicked straight.