"My dad [Glen] was a big cricket fan and, at school, everyone called my dad Joel. Mum and dad went to high school together and mum used to call him Joel," Garner said this week.

"When they had me, they really liked the name and they named me Joel. It's funny - when dad sees blokes from school he hasn't seen for a while, and I am with him, they go: 'Hey Joel, and I turn around.' Dad goes: 'They are talking to me, not you.' There's a bit of that."

Where Garner the cricketer was the leader of the West Indies' fearsome pace attack from the late 1970s until the mid 1980s, Garner the young footballer is also a leader, having captained Vic Metro to this year's national under-18 title and enjoyed All-Australian honours. The clever left-footer, listed at 183 centimetres and 81 kilograms, also led the Eastern Ranges, and has impressed clubs at this week's AFL combine at Etihad Stadium.

Garner, 18, has maturity beyond his years - and for good reason. He is the first Indigenous prefect in the 166-year history of Scotch College, having spent his past three years there. Originally from Wandin Football Club, he had been captain of Mount Lilydale Mercy College before being offered the Scotch scholarship, as Cyril Rioli had once enjoyed.

Garner's family is from the Mara Tribe, hailing from Roper River, in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory. He hasn't been there yet but it's on the bucket list.

"I have been to the Tiwi Islands twice but I actually haven't been to where I am from, which is disappointing. Hopefully, I get there one day with my family. My grandma has been there but my mum hasn't, so we would like to get there as a family one day," he said.

In the meantime, there is plenty to get done in the weeks and months ahead. There are year 12 exams to complete, with Garner keen on eventually having a physical education degree. Once the exams are completed comes another pivotal moment - the national draft on November 24.

He has already learnt a great deal this year, in particular finding the balance between improving his football, school work and enjoying time off. On the latter, that's involved sacrifice but, for Garner, it's been worth it.

"Your weekends are pretty much sacrificed with footy but I don't mind as I have always done that. I know it's a bit harder for other guys to get used to that," he said.

"You have got to be fairly organised with time management. That's the thing that I have learnt a lot this year, about how to manage my time better with school."

His rise as a footballer has been aided by having former Melbourne speedster Aaron Davey as a mentor, for life on and off the field.

Davey's message has been to "have fun and enjoy your footy, work hard when you need to work hard".

"I like what Aaron Davey and David Rodan do in the multi-cultural and Indigenous side of it with AFL Victoria, where they are mentors," Garner said.

"I wouldn't mind being a mentor like them at AFL Vic for young Indigenous boys and now girls coming through."

It's clear leadership is a trait Garner embraces.

"I am pretty vocal at training. That's why I get the votes from the boys. I love my footy, being a leader," he said.

"They [AFL clubs] always speak about my leadership, which is one of the key points of my game ... it definitely does come naturally, talking and leading from the front. It's always been a part of me."

That was evident in the final of the national championships when he had 24 disposals, nine marks, four tackles and two clearances, his performance sparking comparisons with how Luke Hodge had "quarterbacked" the Hawks over the years.

Garner, a Hawthorn supporter, appears almost embarrassed when mentioned in the same sentence as Hodge, for he knows he will have much work to do when drafted. Industry projections are that he will be taken anywhere from selection 15 to 25.

"I need to work on my endurance. You can always get better in the gym. Composure and creativity off half-back is what I bring, and my leadership, hopefully, will be really handy," he said.

There is another AFL Indigenous player Garner has admired. While he has yet to meet Shaun Burgoyne, Garner appreciates how the man nicknamed "Silk" has performed on the field and in improving club life for Indigenous players.

"Shaun Burgoyne is one I definitely look up to. I love what he does, how he plays the game," Garner said.

It's a similar sentiment being echoed by club recruiters of Garner.