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Col Garland Appreciation

P-man
P-man
in Melbourne Demons

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Having rewatched the games against Richmond and Rd18 against the Pies, I've concluded that this bloke requires a bit more love, including from me. He was a mixture of tenacity, skill and composure on both occasions.

Sure, he might wear the "mental scars of the past" a little more visibly than others, but his effort can rarely be questioned. He is now a resolute and versatile defender who I have little doubt several other clubs would've been sniffing around before he put pen to paper.

Seeing him slump to the ground on the verge of tears after a home and away win says everything about the journey he has been on, and what this club means to him.

Here's to a great 2016 for a bloke who deserves success as much as anyone.

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    I love Judy but like many others he frustrated the hell out of me...you are right tho, he deserves more love.

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    22 minutes ago, P-man said:

    Having rewatched the games against Richmond and Rd18 against the Pies, I've concluded that this bloke requires a bit more love, including from me. He was a mixture of tenacity, skill and composure on both occasions.

    Sure, he might wear the "mental scars of the past" a little more visibly than others, but his effort can rarely be questioned. He is now a resolute and versatile defender who I have little doubt several other clubs would've been sniffing around before he put pen to paper.

    Seeing him slump to the ground on the verge of tears after a home and away win says everything about the journey he has been on, and what this club means to him.

    Here's to a great 2016 for a bloke who deserves success as much as anyone.

    he is a classic case of a player who would be good all the time if everyone could play their role like him. I hope we do improve to at least the 10 win mark to see how he goes when we are very competitive. at times like the Carlton game howeverhe was pathetic in his lack of chasing. just literally gave up.

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    Good thread.  Some were saying that he shouldn't be re-signed at the end of the year.  Ridiculous claims that have been proven to be wrong.

    Roos was gave him plenty of praise for his commitment so far in the off season and that he came back to do extra sessions with the younger players.  

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    20 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

    Good thread.  Some were saying that he shouldn't be re-signed at the end of the year.  Ridiculous claims that have been proven to be wrong.

    Roos was gave him plenty of praise for his commitment so far in the off season and that he came back to do extra sessions with the younger players.  

    No ones been proven wrong yet, season is yet to start. In the player reviews Roos has also said Grimes decision making has been really good. I think we should be waiting until we are about 9-10 rounds in before we can't start saying who was wrong and who was right.

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    48 minutes ago, AzzKikA said:

    I love Judy but like many others he frustrated the hell out of me...you are right tho, he deserves more love.

    Image result for Sitting on the fence gif

     

    Frustrated the hell out of me too, I'd like him to take the game on a bit more down back, react quicker, dispose better, be more confident. You snooze (hesitate), you loose.

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    Love the bloke!

    Even more so after he re-signed, and gave a couple of drive-bys to players that have left through FA.

    Started training early with the young blokes too, we need more players like him.

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    1 hour ago, P-man said:

    Having rewatched the games against Richmond and Rd18 against the Pies, I've concluded that this bloke requires a bit more love, including from me. He was a mixture of tenacity, skill and composure on both occasions.

    Sure, he might wear the "mental scars of the past" a little more visibly than others, but his effort can rarely be questioned. He is now a resolute and versatile defender who I have little doubt several other clubs would've been sniffing around before he put pen to paper.

    Seeing him slump to the ground on the verge of tears after a home and away win says everything about the journey he has been on, and what this club means to him.

    Here's to a great 2016 for a bloke who deserves success as much as anyone.

    ... as I haven't had any chance to watch games last season, I didn't get to see that, or hear of it.  Its refreshing to see the emotions of the players, whether win lose or draw.

    thanks for this info p-man

     

    by the way do you go fishing?  or snorkeling?

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    Yes, the Richmond win was especially emotional for him.  And who can forget his elation when he jumped into Neeld's arms after we snatched a win from EFC a year or two ago (he played FF that day and kicked a few). 

    He is by all accounts a quiet man but he wears his heart on his sleeve. 

    Always a fan of his but my love for him went up after the Grand Final and he was asked what it was like to watch Frawley win a premiership.  I don't recall his exact words but it was something like: '...if the premiership isn't with Melbourne it won't mean anything to me...' :wub: 

    Hope we get it before he hangs up his boots.

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    2 hours ago, P-man said:

    Having rewatched the games against Richmond and Rd18 against the Pies, I've concluded that this bloke requires a bit more love, including from me. He was a mixture of tenacity, skill and composure on both occasions.

    Try re-watching the St Kilda game and see why some criticise him. A performance that was frustrating beyond belief for a senior player.

     

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    3 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

    Try re-watching the St Kilda game and see why some criticise him. A performance that was frustrating beyond belief for a senior player.

     

    I could say that about 80% of his performances

    His favourite thing is coughing up a cheap free kick and gifting the enemy an early one

    Best in the comp at it

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    Like too many  - the gap between his good and bad is too wide for me. I know part of that is due to being in a very poor team for many years but again - I use Jones as the benchmark. Even though last year Jones was down on his output from the previous two years, the gap is not so big.

    If we have a team full of players with talent who best and worst is close  - you have a good team 

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    • Author
    4 minutes ago, nutbean said:

    Like too many  - the gap between his good and bad is too wide for me. I know part of that is due to being in a very poor team for many years but again - I use Jones as the benchmark. Even though last year Jones was down on his output from the previous two years, the gap is not so big.

    If we have a team full of players with talent who best and worst is close  - you have a good team 

    That gap was Chunkesque (Macquarie have recently accepted this as a word) in 2013. 2014 was an interrupted year and he was trending back towards it in 2015. Will have a very consistent year in 2016. Bookmark it.

    DL - I've done both but I'm not a regular at either. Although snorkelling on the GBF left a lasting impression.

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    8 minutes ago, P-man said:

    That gap was Chunkesque (Macquarie have recently accepted this as a word) in 2013. 2014 was an interrupted year and he was trending back towards it in 2015. Will have a very consistent year in 2016. Bookmark it.

    DL - I've done both but I'm not a regular at either. Although snorkelling on the GBF left a lasting impression.

    hope you are right.

    I accept he has had injuries  - The problem we have had is too many players have had one good season followed by disappearing acts in following seasons. To be chunkeque you have to put together consecutive years of good form and we have far to few of these footballers. 

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    Good on you P-man. You've nailed your flag to the mast. For what its worth I reckon Col has been very good overall for  numerous seasons, when the majority of others haven't , always tries and has been a great clubman. Every club needs loyal foot soldiers and I believe Col's one of those.

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    2 hours ago, Curry & Beer said:

    such a Melbourne player

    such a Melbourne 'supporter'

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    Great thread P-man.

    I can never understand the hate for Garland. An absolute warrior in a dark period for the MFC.

    He is a pure kick of the footy despite what some on here think. His decision making hasn't been flash every single time but nor would Judd's or Ablett's playing in our backline over that period. You are in a pressure cooker with limited mates.

    Everyone knows he plays on the fastest smalls and strongest talls, his versatility is unquestionable.

    Loves the MFC and has said a premiership at another club would mean nothing too him.

    He hasn't been fit for years. Watch out this year when he does a pre-season (he did last year but finished half a lap behind everyone else, even in the 400m's). Roos will rotate him through the midfield more often, he (Roos) loves the bigger bodied players.

     

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    3 minutes ago, Wrecker45 said:

     

    He hasn't been fit for years. Watch out this year when he does a pre-season (he did last year but finished half a lap behind everyone else, even in the 400m's). Roos will rotate him through the midfield more often, he (Roos) loves the bigger bodied players.

     

     

    Yeah just like Sylvia. Oh wait he's not playing any more is he.....

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    3 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

     

    Yeah just like Sylvia. Oh wait he's not playing any more is he.....

    Just like Sylvia... except:

    • He has never had off field trouble
    • He is lauded by the coaches
    • He has performed admirably season after season
    • I've never heard anybody say he is a wasted talent
    • He hasn't been traded to another club with "better development" that could fix him up
    • He hasn't been delisted 

     

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    2 hours ago, thevil1 said:

    such a Melbourne 'supporter'

    yep, we get this way from not playing finals for 9 years running

    fanboys like yourself just clap the heroes along

     

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    Garlands true worth is somewhere between most of the views here I reckon. He offers us great flexibility to play on talls and smalls and was more important to keep over the off season than the one trick highlight reel who ran over to Lexus. His attack on ball is better than a lot give credit for which is veiled by his relaxed look. His disposal is a pass but not great. His main issue is he is prone to once he makes an error by disposal or decision to make multiples as he loses focus/confidence. I expect if injury free  he will play third defender all year but unlike other years will be pushed out by better depth if he doesn't maintain his best. It sounds like his off season application so far is giving him every opportunity to do this.

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