His first 2 games were very poor but I thought he showed some good signs against Geelong even though he got dropped. He has been improving every week since and what I like about him is his speed I don't think there are many players around his height that are that quick.

I am now convinced he will make it.

he may still have some struggled in the coming games, but he has shown enough the last 2 weeks.

Which is great cos 95% of the people on this board were putting him in the 'delisted' column.

anyone reckons he plays and looks like matthew scarlett?

i think garland is a natural talent.. just needs some refinement which he will get with time and the confidence of strength.. i think they should all have to do boxing alot more than they do...gives them aggression and the ability to control it..

and confidence to not be afraid of getting hit...(bell's best attribute)

furthermore i am sure this modern backline will coninue to work well, garland has got all the bits required , speed, quick hands, soft kicking ability, reads the play and fall of the ball well.. so a bit of strength and fitness will do wonders.

anyone reckons he plays and looks like matthew scarlett?

You can't even compare the two. Scarlett is an All Australian and one of the best defenders the game has seen in many years. Garland is young and unproven.

You should barrack for Richmond, their fans christen their players as superstars after a good game.

Give him time and don't pressure him, he's doing really well at the moment.

I remember Ferguson's first game. I thought he was going to be a star....

I was pretty critical of him early on, but good on him for persisting. He is developing into a very nice backman.

He's coming along nicely, but even better is the support he's now starting to receive from those around him.

I agree totally. He had finally been given a real chance to show he's ability. Bailey and the coaching staff at melbourne must know a little more than some of you Garland knockers out there. He played buddy as good as anyone has so far this year, so give some credit!

Is that a, does anyone know that garland has another contract, or a, does anyone know if garland has another contract?

He has one. Was offered 3 years, but took 2

Why didn't he take the three if it was on offer?

Not sure. Maybe something to do with the Gold Coast thing??

very interesting - he is from Tassie you know.

Add me to the list of people who thought both Garland and Warnock would not be around at the end of the year. Also add me to the list of people happy to be proven wrong thus far, though both players still have a long way to go.

I wonder how much influence Sean Wellman has had on these guys this year?

Kudos to Bails for showing faith in both players in particular Garland who he has constantly pumped up in the media since arriving at the club. I think that faith and confidence Bailey has shown in Garland has helped Col turn it around after his disappointing games earlier this year. Is this Bailey's player development skills shining through? I think so.

I know he's a tassie boy. Know him well actually. He's work rate is second to none and has loads of natural ability, he will go well.

G'day Col.

I thought Warnock was gone... and it's not the one really good match he's played that gives me confidence... it's the 4 or so he's strung together. I'm pleased enough that he's there, though I don't know that he'll ever go beyond a Carroll type player... The kind that is persevered with as a rookie-fringe player up until he fills out and then plays 100 games down back relatively unspectacularly...

In saying that, I don't mean any offence... it's actually EXACTLY what we need. Another Al Nicholson, with pace...

I just took my mind back to the first ever game Colin played, which was against the Swans at Stadium Australia.

There was a piece of play in the forward line where Colin was running at the ball on the lead, the ball bounced up at him and he jumped up to deftly tap the ball mid-air to a teammate who drilled the goal.

it was a beautiful piece of instinctive play, and made me feel that the kid has what it takes.

Now after his dismantling of Fatty Franklin, I am convinced he will be a damn fine player.

very interesting - he is from Tassie you know.

That might be a reference to the fact that many agents plan to use the GC17 as a way of maximising contracts for the free agents in two years time.

Otherwise, yeah he's from Tassie.

That might be a reference to the fact that many agents plan to use the GC17 as a way of maximising contracts for the free agents in two years time.

Otherwise, yeah he's from Tassie.

Or he's holding out for the fact that the Tasmanian Government are trying to usurp the West Sydney bid. Both equally valid reasons.

Bell! Must be joking.No football brain whatever. A great pity-looks a good chap

There has been a lot to like about Colin and Matty Warnock in the past few weeks. Our backline was a basketcase during ND's era but Bails seems to have a bit to work with earlier than expected. It surprised me to see Garland is listed at the same height as Carroll, seems to play a bit taller. Stefan Martin seems to be progressing nicely at Sandy in only his second year of playing footy. He's playing CHB, and at 198cm could be the key to a promising emerging backline for the future.

Our premiership backline? Warnock Garland Petterd

Bell Martin Rivers

with Bartram Frawley Grimes and Cheney rotating through. None of those guys are over 24.

Highly speculative I know but 5 weeks ago I would of struggled to name 6 defenders with a future. As an old full back I'm biased but I believe an at least decent backline is a prerequisite for premierships. We haven't had a full back that elite forwards would have dreaded since Danny Hughes, or a CHB since a young David Neitz went forward.

There is plenty of potential in our under 23's, I just hope Bailey can unlock it

in regards to taking only 2 year contract probably only got offered a pitiful amount. and maybe he thinks he will be worth more in three years... hopefully he is right..

Only reason i can think of

First game was at the SCG, and he had more touches than Jamar!!

I like that game because it reminds me how good Ricky P is.

If Buddy had kicked straight Garland would have had 6 kicked on him, and we all be singing a different tune.

He did a great job on buddy, but we need to set realistic expectations of where he is going to be in the next 12 months. He could be a player to watch, but needs more time to develop down back. he also eeds the support of our fans, he is oging to be up and down but should be good player for us when he gets some games under his belt.

Lets not get too far ahead of ourselves, he is not an All Australian yet.

So the 60 meter kick from the boundary line that split the middle summed up Buddy's innacurate kicking did it?

If Buddy had kicked straight Garland would have had 6 kicked on him, and we all be singing a different tune.

He did a great job on buddy, but we need to set realistic expectations of where he is going to be in the next 12 months. He could be a player to watch, but needs more time to develop down back. he also eeds the support of our fans, he is oging to be up and down but should be good player for us when he gets some games under his belt.

Lets not get too far ahead of ourselves, he is not an All Australian yet.

buddy only had a few touches, and kicked goals from outside 50 and from the boundary. that sums up how good franklin is. on a bad day, he still managed to scrape 3 goals together, and is exactly what i was getting at RE miller in joeboys 3 word thread. 3 goals as a poor-average game, while being well held is a fantastic effort. miller gets 3 when he has a great game.

garland beat franklin yesterday there is no doubt about it. franklins class is what got him the goals.

I just took my mind back to the first ever game Colin played, which was against the Swans at Stadium Australia.

There was a piece of play in the forward line where Colin was running at the ball on the lead, the ball bounced up at him and he jumped up to deftly tap the ball mid-air to a teammate who drilled the goal.

it was a beautiful piece of instinctive play, and made me feel that the kid has what it takes.

Now after his dismantling of Fatty Franklin, I am convinced he will be a damn fine player.

<_< Kiss of death