From what I watched on tv. Looks to have really drawn a line in the sand mentally. Took a couple of really good marks and even flattened a few doggies whilst completing them. I think one of them was Grifffen correct me if I'm wrong?

But to me has always been good but passive, looks to be playing with more aggression and would be runner up to Nathan jones in the BF at the moment reckon?

Thoughts?

Loving everything he does lately. That moment where he took a mark running back with the flight and then knocked Griffen flat was absolutely brilliant, definitely one of those hell yeah fist pumping moments.

From watching the replay, he's starting to get some recognition from the commentators as well. Lot to like about Col.

If he played for Geelong he would be talked about as the best medium defender in the comp, certain All Australian and will go very close to winning our Bnf, only jones would compete with him.

Has to be in AA contention.

a serious challenger to Nathan jones' bluey in my eyes. Has he been beaten by his opponent this year?

Has no serious competition for Best and Fairest at this point, and as stated in another thread, is really consolidating himself as one of our most important players and LEADERS.

And didn't look particularly happy when the final siren went last night, which for me says so much about a shift in the culture of the place and the fact that some players who have been around for a while are sick of being the whipping boys of the competition.

he is going brilliantly, but to be fair, his first 5-6 weeks this year weren't much chop. Jones has been great almost every week.

lately though Garland is a very complete quality player

  On 30/06/2013 at 09:38, deeflog said:

a serious challenger to Nathan jones' bluey in my eyes. Has he been beaten by his opponent this year?

I would say Garland is winning the bluey at this stage, the amount of ball he see's and Jones has had a heavy tag in a lot of games this year.

  On 30/06/2013 at 09:35, Yossarian said:

Loving everything he does lately. That moment where he took a mark running back with the flight and then knocked Griffen flat was absolutely brilliant, definitely one of those hell yeah fist pumping moments.

From watching the replay, he's starting to get some recognition from the commentators as well. Lot to like about Col.

I loved that bit, too.

It won't be long before Jack Watts takes a leaf out of Col's book.

His brain fades seem to have dried up as his confidence grows.

Giansirucusa is as old as the pyramids but always seems to play well against us and thought he beat Col last night. Garland still did some good things going the other way!

  On 30/06/2013 at 10:00, Clint Bizkit said:

His brain fades seem to have dried up as his confidence grows.

Agreed. I've gotten to the point where if I see him involved, I have complete confidence that he'll get it done, be it win a contest or make good use of the ball.

  On 30/06/2013 at 09:37, Gorgoroth said:

Has to be in AA contention.

Would get a mention, wouldn't of thought he'd leap frog into mainstream commentators minds aka Luke'flogwit' Darcy..

Not saying he isn't worthy of it tho!

  On 30/06/2013 at 09:30, PurpleHaze12 said:

From what I watched on tv. Looks to have really drawn a line in the sand mentally. Took a couple of really good marks and even flattened a few doggies whilst completing them. I think one of them was Grifffen correct me if I'm wrong?

But to me has always been good but passive, looks to be playing with more aggression and would be runner up to Nathan jones in the BF at the moment reckon?

Thoughts?

I must be the only one who thinks he's comfortably beating Jones in the B&F. I've been pretty disappointed with Jones' season. I've been more frustrated than anything, because he's had to run the midfield single-handedly. I'm not convinced he's been tagged the last few weeks. I think he was getting a tag between about rounds 3-7 and it's dropped off since. He started the season well, while Col took a few weeks to get going, but I think the latter has been dominating the votes each week for a while now.

You're correct about Griffen. I loved that. It was great to see that measured aggression. Within the rules and highly confident.

Loved the way at half time he went to the senior players and told them to calm down and not celebrate a thing! Took control of the groups attitude. He is a tough customer with a lot of intent in his eyes at the moment.

Col seems a gentle guy by nature but there is a huge competitive beast in there. He doesn't want his team pushed around anymore. Love it.

  On 01/07/2013 at 14:10, AdamFarr said:

I've been pretty disappointed with Jones' season

After his first 2 games in 2008 - there were immediate calls on here for him to be dropped (he was) and for him to delisted (he wasn't). I was one who couldn't see a future.

He was slight, a little soft, his skills and decision making were below standard.

His nickname for a number of years was Humphrey - for the bear - because he was so quiet and shy.

When he had his foot injury a couple years back he asked to be involved in recruiting and helped research kids in the TAC Cup.

From a shy, soft 20 year old with shoddy skills and no future, he has become a good decision maker, a tough defender, and a strong leader for the MFC.

Take from his story whatever you like.

  On 02/07/2013 at 00:39, rpfc said:

After his first 2 games in 2008 - there were immediate calls on here for him to be dropped (he was) and for him to delisted (he wasn't). I was one who couldn't see a future.

He was slight, a little soft, his skills and decision making were below standard.

His nickname for a number of years was Humphrey - for the bear - because he was so quiet and shy.

When he had his foot injury a couple years back he asked to be involved in recruiting and helped research kids in the TAC Cup.

From a shy, soft 20 year old with shoddy skills and no future, he has become a good decision maker, a tough defender, and a strong leader for the MFC.

Take from his story whatever you like.

Mirrors Corey Enright in many ways, hope he has the same career highlights.

Seems like the leadership light has turned on in his head which is great. With what I've seen and heard from Grimes, N.Jones, Dawes and Garland recently, my faith in our team leaders is really growing.

  On 02/07/2013 at 01:04, Fifty-5 said:

Seems like the leadership light has turned on in his head which is great. With what I've seen and heard from Grimes, N.Jones, Dawes and Garland recently, my faith in our team leaders is really growing.

my faith in the WHOLE club is really growing

"I must be the only one who thinks he's comfortably beating Jones in the B&F. I've been pretty disappointed with Jones' season. I've been more frustrated than anything, because he's had to run the midfield single-handedly. I'm not convinced he's been tagged the last few weeks. I think he was getting a tag between about rounds 3-7 and it's dropped off since".....spoke to Liam Picken about this, he is shattered, you have been facing the right way?

Now I know this may draw howls of contempt but whilst his efforts are without query ol' Jonesy's impact has had the shine diminished a tad this year as hes the receiver of even more opponents attention. At the same time Col' impact level is on the rise. Ironically having as consistent year this season as Nate had last year.

Logical outcome if trend continues...... Bluey.

both outstanding though

There was a great interview with him on Sunday by the ABC 774 Sunday Inquisition team. I don't know if it can be linked at all but it was a great listen. I am stoked every time he gets a request for an interview because he actually answers questions without the "we just wanted four points" or "Neeldy this and Craigy that". He is intelligent, articulate, passionate, a club man, and seems to understand how footy works from a planning point of view as well as a player. He and Dawes can do the interviews every week for mine.

As for his football, there were some serious rants early this year from Demonlanders about his brain fades - some of this was probably deserved because when he has a brain fade it is usually an absolute beauty - but his consistency and effectiveness have been really good. However, can't see him beating N Jones for the Bluey but will be fighting Terlich for 2nd spot I would think. He has been beaten this year a few times, but it is his leadership that is beginning to grow and the growth in confidence across the 22 over the past 2 weeks might be because his leadership ability is coming to the fore and his influence is starting to spread.

He's my tip for the Bluey, Jonesy has still had a good year but Col Garland has been a rock in very difficult circumstances. Of course if Nate has a great second half the year he'll be hard to beat. Shame my bet for Watts to win the Bluey won't come to fruition but he's looking like he could have a good second half of the year.

Top 3 for 1-percenters in the AFL.

Would be doing ok for the 'marks from opposition kicks' tally, too.

I'm hugely excited about our three super-mobile tall defenders; Frawley, Garland and McDonald are one hell of a flexible core to build a defence around.