Troubled Hawthorn recruit Dayle Garlett’s request to be released from his AFL contract has been granted by the Hawks.

The 20-year-old will remain in Perth after approaching the club to say he was struggling with the demands of the AFL system.

Hawthorn allowed Garlett to return to Western Australia last week and Garlett has decided to stay there with his family and friends.

Garlett said he found it difficult to cope with the demands required of him at the elite level.

“It has been tough to be away from my family and friends in a different environment and while I tried hard to stick to the disciplines of the club, it got a bit much for me in the end,” Garlett said.

Hawks football operations chief Chris Fagan said the Club understood and accepted Garlett’s decision.

“Unfortunately this situation hasn’t worked out as the club or Dayle would have hoped, and while we’re disappointed we understand his decision,” Fagan said in a statement.

“Despite the club’s efforts over the past six months to help him adjust to an elite lifestyle, Dayle has found the regimented systems and standards of a professional club challenging.”

“No club wants to keep a player who’s not happy, and so while we are disappointed Dayle has decided to remain in Perth, we do not regret giving him a chance to pursue his dream of playing AFL footy.”