Jarvis spent twelve seasons with East Fremantle where he was a specialist defender. "Bub" Jarvis had his best year in 1934 where he was runner up in the Sandover Medal count and won a Lynn Medal. He played in seven East Fremantle premiership sides and represented the Western Australian interstate team on eight occasions. In the 1932–33 summer he played a first-class cricket match for his state, making three runs and taking two catches.