Denis Pagan announced this afternoon that Adam Hartlett would make his AFL debut for Carlton against Adelaide on Saturday afternoon. Hartlett will become the fourth Carlton player to make their AFL debut in 2007, joining Bryce Gibbs, Joe Anderson and Ross Young, while two other players; Cain Ackland and Cameron Cloke have made their Carlton debut after previously playing for another Club.

Adam Hartlett was recruited from Edwardstown in Adelaide via West Adelaide with Carlton’s second round selection, number 25 overall in the 2004 National Draft. A key position player, both forward and defence, he is 196cm tall and turned 21 in April. Hartlett was advised after training at MC Labour Park this morning that he would be selected in the week’s team.

“I am thrilled and really looking forward to making my debut on Saturday and it is good that it is against the Adelaide Crows who I supported when I was growing up in Adelaide. While it is exciting I am now going to focus on getting ready for the game and not get too excited,” Hartlett said this afternoon.

A number of injuries including a nasty hamstring injury have restricted his progress since joining the Blues but he has put those setbacks behind him and is looking forward. “It has been frustrating at times but the hard work has paid off and I hope this is the first of many games I play for the Carlton Football Club. It is my aim to be a member of Carlton’s next premiership side,” Hartlett added.

Denis was very pleased to announce that Hartlett would be the fourth player to make their AFL debut this season and said Hartlett could play at either end of the ground. “He kicked 7-goals in a half for West Adelaide as a forward and that was the performance that our Recruiting Manager Wayne Hughes showed me when he said he was keen to recruit him. He has played both as a defender and a forward for the Northern Bullants so we he has the ability to play at both ends of the ground,” Pagan said.

Hartlett will become the 1103rd player to represent the Carlton Football Club when he makes his debut on Saturday. He will become the tenth player who has played less than 20 games to end of the 2006 season to play for Carlton this year:

Bryce Gibbs – 0 games before 2007
Joe Anderson – 0 games before 2007
Ross Young – 0 games
Ryan Jackson – 1 game
Paul Bower – 2 games
Josh Kennedy – 9 games
Luke Blackwell – 12 games
Setanta O’hAilpin – 12 games
Marc Murphy – 13 games