Just thinking about it - WOW!!!

Just thinking about it - WOW!!!

I think Martin will be very good. I was impressed watching him early in the year. His progress at Sandy has apparently been very encouraging. Once his kicking improves I think he'll become an automatic selection.

And throw in Frawley as well...... B)

And throw in Frawley as well...... B)

Yep, the only real problem is that people are expecting them to run before they've learnt to walk. Now our forward situation on the other hand...

So now we've got the backline developing ala Geelong. I don't think I've ever seen a proper backline developed in all my days following the MFC.

Very excited, Garland, Warnock, Martin, Frawley, Rivers, all right.

Yep, the only real problem is that people are expecting them to run before they've learnt to walk. Now our forward situation on the other hand...

Agree with that.

Talls down back look very exciting.

How about the "smalls"though? They seem to be a bit of a concern! Is Bartram up to it? Bode? Bell? Junior Mac ? What about Whelan? If he can get himself fit again there's no reason he can't go on for another 4 years or so.

Was really impressed with Garland's game yesterday his closing pace and natural leap really stood out for me, once he strengthens up a bit and gets some more confidence to take the game on a bit more he is going to be something special down back. Warnock has the build and frame to be a strong CHB for us.

Haven't seen much of Martin but what I hear is encouraging. The point raised about our small defenders is a bit of a concern but don't forget we still have Ricky Petterd to come back, wheels is in our best 22 easily when fit and i think Cheney will step up next year, Grimes may even end up playing off the back flank when he gets fit.

Talls down back look very exciting.

How about the "smalls"though? They seem to be a bit of a concern! Is Bartram up to it? Bode? Bell? Junior Mac ? What about Whelan? If he can get himself fit again there's no reason he can't go on for another 4 years or so.

Don't forget Grimes who played back as a junior.

I feel a bit for Disco carroll. Battled alone for nearly two years and as soon as a couple of others finally put their hand up he is out of the side.

I think Carroll should come in for Rivers (if injured) this week and play that third man up/back pocket role.

So now we've got the backline developing ala Geelong. I don't think I've ever seen a proper backline developed in all my days following the MFC.

Very excited, Garland, Warnock, Martin, Frawley, Rivers, all right.

There's also Tommy Mac who is flying under the radar. From the little that I saw of him he's very much in the same mould as Rivers... With all those talls Garland may eventually be released to go forward.

wheels is in our best 22 easily when fit

Unfortunately he's battled injuries the last couple of years, and he's not far off 30.

Garland has been simply phenomenal. I'd be surprised if he's conceded more than 10 goals this season. He was on 7 following the Hawks game.

Speaking of which, Garland kept Buddy to his second lowest score of the season, conceding just 3 goals (he kicked 1.7 against the Tigers). Plus we know Buddy got lucky on at least one occasion when he was on the end of some good work by his teammates.

For Garland to not only be able to defend against the likes of Franklin, but then to go onto the wing and play on Didak, is truly fantastic. I'm wondering where all of his knockers have gone. Wasn't it two rounds into the season when people were happily putting a line through him?

Warnock has also been a revelation. Went from 'automatic delist' to 'possible CHB for the next 10 years'. What he's shown in the past few weeks, which he has never shown before, is awareness. His speed for his size is decent, but what he lacked was awareness and an ability to read the play. He smashed Cloke, who I rate very highly for both his aerobic capacity and athleticism.

As for smalls, I haven't given up on Bell or Bartram and we still have Petterd & Cheney coming through.

For the first time in a long time, our backline actually looks better than our forward line.

The new coaching regime seems to be doing a great job in teaching and fast tracking players development.

I remember Bails saying that this was one of his strenghts when he was appointed coach...

Garland - the beauty of this guy is that he can play tall and small... He played on the wiz one week and then played on Buddy 2 weeks later...He's a special talent this kid.

Unfortunately he's battled injuries the last couple of years, and he's not far off 30.

Matty Whelan was born 13th November 1979 so has a few years left if body can get fit.

I remember Alan Johnson had similar "mid career" problems and got fit again as he approached 30 and went on to play brilliantly for another 3 or 4 years.

Now I know history doesn't always repeat itself, but a fit Matthew Whelan would be just what we want down back with all the new kids down there!

Quite amazing that 6 weeks ago everyone (including me) wanted Garland and Warnock delisted at years end.

Now, I would prefer to see them get 5 year contracts.

It is bloody incredible that we have plucked two legit young key backmen from thin air.

Also says a lot about Dean Bailey - he was hailed as a great developer of young talent while at Port, and he is showing that its all true.

Quite amazing that 6 weeks ago everyone (including me) wanted Garland and Warnock delisted at years end.

Now, I would prefer to see them get 5 year contracts.

It is bloody incredible that we have plucked two legit young key backmen from thin air.

Also says a lot about Dean Bailey - he was hailed as a great developer of young talent while at Port, and he is showing that its all true.

if we can get em for 5 years on 80,000 id be happy. but they havnt been around lnog enough for me to offer big money for long terms yet.

fwiw i rated garland and wanted to give him a chance to develop, i always felt he had something there.

now if only we can draft a key forward...

It is bloody incredible that we have plucked two legit young key backmen from thin air.

I know early draft picks are always preferred, but its amazing the bargains that can be found at later levels!!

Quite amazing that 6 weeks ago everyone (including me) wanted Garland and Warnock delisted at years end.

Now, I would prefer to see them get 5 year contracts.

It is bloody incredible that we have plucked two legit young key backmen from thin air.

Also says a lot about Dean Bailey - he was hailed as a great developer of young talent while at Port, and he is showing that its all true.

It's about time we had some decent prospects in defence for the future, but each week I get increasingly worried about the future of our forward line. Hopefully DB can develop Zomer or someone else just like he has developed these two.

Matty Whelan was born 13th November 1979 so has a few years left if body can get fit.

I remember Alan Johnson had similar "mid career" problems and got fit again as he approached 30 and went on to play brilliantly for another 3 or 4 years.

Now I know history doesn't always repeat itself, but a fit Matthew Whelan would be just what we want down back with all the new kids down there!

Its got nothing to do with age. Bodies give up on AFL at different times. Whelan is not by any stretch mid career.

He has played only 7 games in 2 years. Wheels is battling a game that is getting quicker all the time. He can afford to miss too much more football.

fwiw i rated garland and wanted to give him a chance to develop, i always felt he had something there.

Well I am one of the many that didn't, BUT I retracted before the Hawks game so I take some solace from that. Fragile ego...

He plays like a bloke that doesn't just want to beat his bloke, but someone willing to create and help which is new. Carroll, Nicho, Lamb were pure bloke-stoppers, Rivers, Warnock can stop their bloke and help out teammates but cannot create. Garland, if he progresses, will be a rare breed of talent.

Warnock is 24, so the heat is on him to deliver every week, but he has. Every game he has played he has been in the top 5 or 6 in my opinion.

As for Martin, he should come in for Rivers and play on Richo on a wing... Just a thought...

Quite amazing that 6 weeks ago everyone (including me) wanted Garland and Warnock delisted at years end.

Now, I would prefer to see them get 5 year contracts.

It is bloody incredible that we have plucked two legit young key backmen from thin air.

Hopefully neither action will be taken and common sense will prevail at MFC.

Thinking about what I just wrote...

He reminds me I the last bloke to wear his number for the MFC.

I always wondered why ND and the club gave Garland '20'...

I guess they saw something in him that we are getting to see now.

It's about time we had some decent prospects in defence for the future, but each week I get increasingly worried about the future of our forward line. Hopefully DB can develop Zomer or someone else just like he has developed these two.

If we were to pick up Robbie Warnock in the PSD, we could then go perhaps for Hurley in the draft.

If...[a lot of ifs in this arguement, so yes it is a bit iffy] that were the case then we would have two players...Hurley & Martin that could get thrown between KPP back to forward [ala Scotty Lucas] and our spine would be starting to look pretty handy.

So hang in there Red & Blue faithful, the glass is half full and the drinks waiter is coming!

I blame CAC for the fact that Garland and Warnock have kicked on, thank goodness we got rid of him!

Good point demondave, thank christ he left when he did. Just imagine the outrage...aussie shaping up, tall defense appearing to become effective - hell all we need is morton to shape up as a midfielder and newton to look like a forward and there'd be hell to pay!