What about Col Garland's signature?

[dazzledavey36 54,212]

He will sign on then have an absolute stinker next year.

[dee-tox 4,835]

He's top three or four in the Bluey at the moment. Received D' l and votes in every game except versus GWS. Bad signal to trade him.

[deanox 9,896]

Sorry you are right re FA.

Same principle applies though. If the pick we will get is tradable for a quality mid then i don't mind if he goes.

[Jaded No More 68,855]

Tradable.

He is best 22. But if we can trade him for a player, or for a pick which is on traded for an experienced player (maybe as a package) that nets us a starting 6 midfielder then I'd take that.

He isa solid player and part of the starting team but the back line is well stocked with a couple coming through. The midfield is undermanned.

A classic example of a player who is worth much more to us than to another club.

Absolutely no doubt about him being a priority re-signing.

[old dee 23,762]

He's top three or four in the Bluey at the moment. Received D' l and votes in every game except versus GWS. Bad signal to trade him.

You make the assumption he wants to stay dee-tox.

that is not the message I am getting

[deanox 9,896]

A classic example of a player who is worth much more to us than to another club.

Absolutely no doubt about him being a priority re-signing.

I agree with your first but not the second.

He will get paid more at Melbourne than elsewhere. If we think he can be used to upgrade our midfield then I think we'll only offer him market value and let him try his luck.

[Little Richard 6,261]

You make the assumption he wants to stay dee-tox.

that is not the message I am getting

I don't think you can take too much away from Col in this respect Old Dee. He's always been a quiet guy and rarely put in the spot light. He's having a good year and on field looks as though he is enjoying the wins immensely, which he absolutely deserves to be. What makes you say you're getting the message that he wants to go?

[old dee 23,762]

I don't think you can take too much away from Col in this respect Old Dee. He's always been a quiet guy and rarely put in the spot light. He's having a good year and on field looks as though he is enjoying the wins immensely, which he absolutely deserves to be. What makes you say you're getting the message that he wants to go?

He has put off negotiations till seasons end.

Classic sign of I am off.

95% of players who make this comment leave

[stuie 7,374]

I'm a bit "meh" about Col staying or going. I like him as a bloke and as a player, but I feel like he's 100% one of the ones who has the mental scars that Roos talks about.

[Neitz the Great 555]

It's just there has been absolutely no media coverage even from melbourne

There was an article on Afl.com to say Howie had started contract negotiations

but no sign from ol

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

I'll go against the grain here and say again that I believe he's expendable.

One of those senior boys who have been subjected to some some very dark years but hasn't been able to break through it like Nathan Jones. At times I question his physicality and intensity. At times I question his decision making and kicking.

In my opinion he epitomises the MFC player who drops their head when the chips are down and plays for himself rather than the team. That's not to say he doesn't compete. I'll explain.

When I think of the group of senior players who have been with us since 04 or 05, none of them have any real physical presence except for Nathan Jones (and Dunn on occasions) . Garland especially never shows any sort of aggression onfield, no flair, no willingness to instil any sort of intimidation into opposition players and no willingness to lead the team when we are falling away. I understand that it's partly to do with his personality type, but in my eyes it's just another contributing factor as to why we continue to fall away so quickly during games. I'm not talking about getting into jumper punching rubbish. I'm taking about playing with a strong physical and aggressive presence.

Of course the same can be said for a handful of others, but the thread is about Garland and his contract situation.

Again I think it's important to look at the overall picture of our list. How many of these guys can we continue to carry. Because we are carrying.

I'd trust the FD to strike again and pick up someone who would be of greater value to us going forward than what Garland gives the MFC in its current state.

It's hard for supporters to completely disconnect from emotional ties to players who have been at the club for years. But the reality of the situation is that the club is carrying senior players who are not able nor willing to break the shackles and demand more of themselves or those around them. I don't want senior blokes stepping down from leadership positions. That's never a good sign.

We have a great young group of players who do possess those traits I'm talking about. Viney, Hogan, Salem and Brayshaw.

But we need more of it coming from the 27+ year olds. And we're not getting it.

Edited June 4, 2015 by stevethemanjordan

[Moonshadow 17,675]

He will sign on then have an absolute stinker next year.

Appears to be the trend from most of those who bear the mental scars from the last ten years. IIRC your namesake had a stinker year (or 2) after his last big contract Dazzle.

I wonder which of Garland, Jamar, Watts, Howe and Grimes will be around next year, given the talk of the older guard with scars.

[stuie 7,374]

In my opinion he epitomises the MFC player who drops their head when the chips are down

100% spot on.

Wasn't there a thread or something about Lumumba picking him up after an opposition goal and having a crack at him?

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

100% spot on.

Wasn't there a thread or something about Lumumba picking him up after an opposition goal and having a crack at him?

There was and they're the signs I'm talking about.

It's not a good look for young players.

[Little Richard 6,261]

He has put off negotiations till seasons end.

Classic sign of I am off.

95% of players who make this comment leave

Well hopefully he's one of that 5%.

[Moonshadow 17,675]

I'll go against the grain here and say again that I believe he's expendable.

One of those senior boys who have been through it all but hasn't been able to break through it like Nathan Jones. At times I question his physicality and intensity. At times I question his decision making and kicking.

In my opinion he epitomises the MFC player who drops their head when the chips are down and plays for himself rather than the team. That's not to say he doesn't compete. I'll explain.

When I think of the group of senior players who have been there since 04 or 05, none of them have any real physical presence except for Nathan Jones (and Dunn on occasions) . Garland especially never shows any sort of aggression onfield, no flair, no willingness to instil any sort of intimidation into opposition players and no willingness to lead the team when we are falling away. I understand that it's partly to do with his personality type, but in my eyes it's just another contributing factor as to why we continue to fall away so quickly during games. I'm not talking about getting into jumper punching rubbish. I'm taking about playing with a strong physical and aggressive presence.

Of course the same can be said for a handful of others, but the thread is about Garland and his contract situation.

Again I think it's important to look at the overall picture of our list. How many of these guys can we continue to carry. Because we are carrying.

I'd trust the FD to strike again and pick up someone who would be of greater value to us going forward than what Garland gives the MFC in its current state.

It's hard for supporters to completely disconnect from emotional ties to players who have been at the club for years. But the reality of the situation is that the club is carrying senior players who are not able not willing to break the shackles and demand more of themselves or those around them. I don't want senior blokes stepping down from leadership positions. That's never a good sign.

We have a great young group of players who do possess those traits I'm talking about. Viney, Hogan, Salem and Brayshaw.

But we need more of it coming from the 27+ year olds. And we're not getting it.

Good points.

I think there are plenty of others without physicality or leadership on the field I would prefer to go before Garland. I don't see him as driving the team forward in the same sense that Jones, Viney or now Brayshaw do, but I think he adds value and versatility to our back six that Terlich, Howe, Grimes, Lumumba, etc do not. Garland does tend to drop his head, and it may be that Frost will overtake him next year (assuming Frost plays back), but I believe him to be of more importance going forward than Howe.

[old dee 23,762]

Good points.

I think there are plenty of others without physicality or leadership on the field I would prefer to go before Garland. I don't see him as driving the team forward in the same sense that Jones, Viney or now Brayshaw do, but I think he adds value and versatility to our back six that Terlich, Howe, Grimes, Lumumba, etc do not. Garland does tend to drop his head, and it may be that Frost will overtake him next year (assuming Frost plays back), but I believe him to be of more importance going forward than Howe.

Me too

[Jaded No More 68,855]

100% spot on.

Wasn't there a thread or something about Lumumba picking him up after an opposition goal and having a crack at him?

Firstly, that is not at all what happened. Go back and read the true version.

Secondly, he was one of our best last week when the rest of the senior players dropped their bundle.

Rubbish to suggest that he's mentally weak.

You try playing for our backline the last 5 years with the shizen our midfield dishes up, and not get frustrated when they are still not giving their all to help out the backs 4 seasons on!

[DubDee 25,530]

I'll go against the grain here and say again that I believe he's expendable.

One of those senior boys who have been through it all but hasn't been able to break through it like Nathan Jones. At times I question his physicality and intensity. At times I question his decision making and kicking.

In my opinion he epitomises the MFC player who drops their head when the chips are down and plays for himself rather than the team. That's not to say he doesn't compete. I'll explain.

When I think of the group of senior players who have been there since 04 or 05, none of them have any real physical presence except for Nathan Jones (and Dunn on occasions) . Garland especially never shows any sort of aggression onfield, no flair, no willingness to instil any sort of intimidation into opposition players and no willingness to lead the team when we are falling away. I understand that it's partly to do with his personality type, but in my eyes it's just another contributing factor as to why we continue to fall away so quickly during games. I'm not talking about getting into jumper punching rubbish. I'm taking about playing with a strong physical and aggressive presence.

Of course the same can be said for a handful of others, but the thread is about Garland and his contract situation.

Again I think it's important to look at the overall picture of our list. How many of these guys can we continue to carry. Because we are carrying.

I'd trust the FD to strike again and pick up someone who would be of greater value to us going forward than what Garland gives the MFC in its current state.

It's hard for supporters to completely disconnect from emotional ties to players who have been at the club for years. But the reality of the situation is that the club is carrying senior players who are not able not willing to break the shackles and demand more of themselves or those around them. I don't want senior blokes stepping down from leadership positions. That's never a good sign.

We have a great young group of players who do possess those traits I'm talking about. Viney, Hogan, Salem and Brayshaw.

But we need more of it coming from the 27+ year olds. And we're not getting it.

he was our best player in the second half against Port. The chips were down. he beat his opponent many times and gave is good rebound. pity others didnt follow him

[Moonshadow 17,675]

100% spot on.

Wasn't there a thread or something about Lumumba picking him up after an opposition goal and having a crack at him?

I also seem to remember a couple of years ago when 4 guys (incl Grimes?) in our half back line spectated while a single opposition forward stepped in to grab the ball and set up a goal. Can't remember who we were playing. Garland got angry and yelled at them for not contesting. I remember thinking he was one of the few who held up his place that day.

[stuie 7,374]

Firstly, that is not at all what happened. Go back and read the true version.

Secondly, he was one of our best last week when the rest of the senior players dropped their bundle.

Rubbish to suggest that he's mentally weak.

You try playing for our backline the last 5 years with the shizen our midfield dishes up, and not get frustrated when they are still not giving their all to help out the backs 4 seasons on!

Watch his body language during games, he's been mentally spent for 2 years.

He's gone.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Firstly, that is not at all what happened. Go back and read the true version.

Secondly, he was one of our best last week when the rest of the senior players dropped their bundle.

Rubbish to suggest that he's mentally weak.

You try playing for our backline the last 5 years with the shizen our midfield dishes up, and not get frustrated when they are still not giving their all to help out the backs 4 seasons on!

You're defending the bloke because you pity and feel sorry for what he's been through which is exactly what not to do when looking at a situation like this.

It's really irrelevant.

We need to think and act bigger and more boldly when assessing the pros and cons of losing a player like him.

[stuie 7,374]

he was our best player in the second half against Port. The chips were down. he beat his opponent many times and gave is good rebound. pity others didnt follow him

That's the one time he has done that.

[Ethan Tremblay 30,822]

That's the one time he has done that.

Do you get tired being such a wet blanket?

He's done it plenty of times.

[stuie 7,374]

Do you get tired being such a wet blanket?

Col does. That's why i think he's gone, and why i think the club won't mind that much.