They dont play exactly the same position but both are key defenders in their respective line ups.

My view is that Garland is the better player in his own right but Nick Maxwell looks good because of the support around him from both the other defenders (Reid, Toovey, Brown and Shaw etc) and their mids (Swan, Pendles etc). Would be interested to hear what other 'landers think.

Garland is better one-on-one

Firstly comparing Garland to Maxwell is an insult to Garland.

Maxwell cannot man up and when he HAS to he gets towelled up big time. U can also throw Harry Obrien in there to.

He is only half good when he is the lose defender but allot of other players can play this role.

He is so overrated its not funny.

Edited July 1, 201312 yr by DemonOX

Cool, let's compare 2 players that don't play in exactly the same spot. This will achieve a lot, especially given one is a Melbourne player and the other a Collingwood player.

While we're at it, let's compare Jack Watts and Nik Nat...oh, hang on a minute...

Maxwell is hopeless one-on-one and isn't really a key position player. He's a third tall at best. Garland is a KPB that can play on tall or small. Is lightening fast and fantastic one-on-one.

Malthouse gifted Maxwell a sweeper role, the easiest job in footy. Garland is clearly better.

Firstly comparing Garland to Maxwell is an insult to Garland.

Maxwell cannot man up and when he HAS to he gets towelled up big time.

He is only half good when he is the lose defender but allot of other players can play this role.

He is so overrated its not funny.

Maxwell leadership in the 2010 finals series was first class, and he played awesome in the GF replay, I would take Maxwell any day.

why are we comparing them?

Don't know the point of this but Garland everyday of the week.

Even supporters of the filth agree with that

Don't know the point of this but Garland everyday of the week.

Even supporters of the filth agree with that

Dawes wasn't even the Pies best 12 players and look what he's bought to our club, what Maxwell lacks he makes up in leadership, Cols enjoying his best ever season, Nicks a premiership captain.

Maxwell is a great leader for them, but he's not that great a player. A bit like Vandenberg was at the Hawks. He's good value when he's allowed to play as the loose man and get free ball, but if you make him accountable he gets beaten pretty consistently.

Garland isn't the leader Maxwell is (although improving), but he is a much better player. He is very rarely beaten 1-1, provides rebound while playing on a man and In the last year or so he has filled out juat a bit more to make a genuinely imposing figure on the field.

All things considered, I'd take Garland over Maxwell any day of the week.

why are we comparing them?

I have no idea either, what's the point?

Garland has Maxwell covered in most aspects

Garland can line up on Buddy and hold his own- Maxwell would get flogged by Buddy

Garland can line up on Betts or Lecras and hold his own- Maxwell would get flogged by either

Garland can lineup on any third tall type in the league and belt them- Maxwell might break even

The only area Maxwell has an advantage ATM is in leadership, but I think Garland is closing that gap

Great captain but.....

Garland defender one on one all day everyday.

Garland vs Gibson would be a better argument.

I love Gibbo and rate him really highly. Garland would be equally good if not better if he was playing for the Hawks.

edit: Funnily enough, i just checked and Gibbo is ranked 12th for defenders in the AFL rankings, Garland 13th!

Edited July 1, 201312 yr by rhaz

Maxwell is an atrocious defender. Garland is one of the most versatile in the game.

Maxwell's main ability is to run off his opponent and give some decent run and carry. Regardless of what he has done in GF's past, if we are ranking them as DEFENDERs, then Garland win's by a country mile. I remember when we drew with Collingwood on QB and the way in which we were getting the ball into the forward line was to get it to Brad Green who was being "defended" by Nick Maxwell.

If you are looking for a defender Garland would be taken every day of the week by just about any team in the league.

Garland has got him WELL covered. I still maintain that Maxwell is the worst AA selection of all time.

Garland vs Gibson would be a better argument.

I love Gibbo and rate him really highly. Garland would be equally good if not better if he was playing for the Hawks.

edit: Funnily enough, i just checked and Gibbo is ranked 12th for defenders in the AFL rankings, Garland 13th!

Agreed, a much better comparison. I'd probably have Gibson just ahead but not by much. Apparently those rankings aren't a complete waste of time after all.

Garland has got him WELL covered. I still maintain that Maxwell is the worst AA selection of all time.

Resting ruck last year playing off in the GF I think.

God damn I hate Collingwood

Resting ruck last year playing off in the GF I think.

Not sure if this made sense PJ! I was meaning that Nik Nat's selection last year would challenge any AA/Maxwell decision.

Maxwell's a fantastic captain, but a terrible footballer. Can't mark, can't defend one-on-one, turns it over. He really only looks good when allowed to play loose and to roam up the ground.

As a footballer, Garland is a million miles in front of Maxwell.

Dawes wasn't even the Pies best 12 players and look what he's bought to our club, what Maxwell lacks he makes up in leadership, Cols enjoying his best ever season, Nicks a premiership captain.

Great point you make there but I wasn't saying that Maxwell was not a better leader, I have no doubt he has excellent leadership qualities that are greater than Col's.

I just meant as a player that Col is rated better, not by just us (where lets admit, we can tend to dabble on being bias) but even other clubs supporters agree.

Garland has got him WELL covered. I still maintain that Maxwell is the worst AA selection of all time.

Agree - Maxwell has always been extremely over rated.

Garland is a better player but lets not sell Maxwell short, he is a premiership captain after all.