Colin Garland - What position do you see him playing in '08?

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

I'm wanting to hear from those with a bit of insight into how Garland is positioned for the upcoming season.

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

from what i have heard and seen garland is looking massive! i saw his myspace photo 2months ago and back then he looked huge. training the house down which is good to hear. i see him playing forward line role as he has the knack to kick big goals. probably more in the chris tarrant mould but better kick and better attitude.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

from what i have heard and seen garland is looking massive! i saw his myspace photo 2months ago and back then he looked huge. training the house down which is good to hear. i see him playing forward line role as he has the knack to kick big goals. probably more in the chris tarrant mould but better kick and better attitude.

That's encouraging.

I can't help but feel that Melbourne will find a new leg this year if they can fast track some of there promising goal kickers. As much as I love Neita and everything he brings, it would be a massive breath of fresh air if some young guys like Newton, Bate, Dunn, Martin and maybe even Zomer became legitamate threats and develpoed a physical presence in front of goals.

We really miss the bullocking that Schwartz brought to the team before he retired. Has the importance of a Centre half forward diminished over the past few years - do you think?

[Yencks 8]

We really miss the bullocking that Schwartz brought to the team before he retired. Has the importance of a Centre half forward diminished over the past few years - do you think?

hell yeah it has...the days of the legendary CHF are all but long gone...my dad still says that it should be the most important position...carey was the last one i can think of who was truly great...dermy is up there aswell

on the colin garlan issue, im not too fond of him TBH, i saw a bit of him at sandringham and the two games he played this year...i dunno, he is just young...he should become a forward if he is going to make it in the big time

i saw this on big footy, made me laugh...no hard feelings though, he probably didnt go for melbourne when he wrote this...

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.p...t=colin+garland

[MikeyJ 60]

Garland didn't show a great deal last year at Sandringham, but when he did manage to get himself in the game, he exhibited more than a little skill and poise.

He's a lovely kick, a good mover and a good size. Let's hope he continues to develop his footy smarts and ability to be involved for more than a couple of minutes a quarter.

[biggestred 5,140]

j. brown is crap.

a true CHF isnt as important as it used to be, but having 2 or 3 big talls to kick to are. and no, robbo isnt a tall. at the moment we only really have neitz, with robbo trying to be another tall....

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

intresting i just found this article from nowhere?? http://nwtasmania.yourguide.com.au/article...?src=topstories

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

intresting i just found this article from nowhere?? http://nwtasmania.yourguide.com.au/article...?src=topstories

Good find

Straight from the horses mouth....has a good perspective on things and sounds as though he sees himself belonging at the top level.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

from what i have heard and seen garland is looking massive! i saw his myspace photo 2months ago and back then he looked huge. training the house down which is good to hear. i see him playing forward line role as he has the knack to kick big goals. probably more in the chris tarrant mould but better kick and better attitude.

That's a pretty good analogy. Better kick though. I was thinking Ryan O'Keefe as well, but Tarrant is closer to the mark. I think if he IS played as a forward I hope people don't get on his case for not kicking big bags. He has a nice kick on him, but I think he could be good as that last link-up man.

[mo64 5,881]

Garland didn't show a great deal last year at Sandringham, but when he did manage to get himself in the game, he exhibited more than a little skill and poise.

He's a lovely kick, a good mover and a good size. Let's hope he continues to develop his footy smarts and ability to be involved for more than a couple of minutes a quarter.

In fairness MikeyJ, Garland was in competition down at Sandy with the likes of Bizzell, Warnock, Ferguson. It's hard for a youngster to assert himself when he's surrounded by senior players who are trying to make an impression themselves. The poise and skill he showed in patches was enough for me to think that he could make it as a Centre Half Back.

This may be wishful thinking, but in 2 years time I'd like to see Frawley at FB, Garland at CHB, and Rivers playing the 3rd tall. We can only dream!

[MikeyJ 60]

Too true, mo.

My previous post was intended as an observation, rather than a judgment, as such! I was quite impressed by the raw materials Garland showed - his challenge now is to convert his obvious talent into regular performances, if he's given the opportunity.

I recall one match for Sandy where he started on a forward flank. In the opening minutes, he read the ball beautifully off the back of the pack, took one bounce and drilled it post-high on the run from outside 50. He did all of this with remarkable smoothness and poise for an 18 or 19 year old.

I don't know whether he'll be better suited up forward or down back. At this stage, it appears he can do both. Tarrant isn't a bad analogy, but Garland appears to be a better kick, as most are saying.

[Hulett Packard III 166]

intresting i just found this article from nowhere?? http://nwtasmania.yourguide.com.au/article...?src=topstories

I read the article and judging by the picture he really isn't that massive. Perhaps a third "tall" in defence. I can't see him playing forward where we're pretty well served up there.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

I read the article and judging by the picture he really isn't that massive. Perhaps a third "tall" in defence. I can't see him playing forward where we're pretty well served up there.

I've got a feeling that the photo from that article may be from last season, when he was about to debut - So a fair bit of bulking could have gone on between then and now.

I have to agree with you about it being questionable that there is a spot for him in the forward line this year (a bit of wishful thinking), although the odd "pinch hit" wouldn't go astray - On a needs basis, maybe an extra tall talent down back is more beneficial right now, until Neitz retires.

I'd like to see guys like Garland being "blooded" for that inevitable moment. Just a little bit of short term pain for the long term gain, but not so much that we can't still win

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

I read the article and judging by the picture he really isn't that massive. Perhaps a third "tall" in defence. I can't see him playing forward where we're pretty well served up there.

that photo was taken at the sydney airport when he was making his debut game.. so its old

[occo 2]

Would Garland ever be good enough to play FB. Frawley is the suggested name to play there and i have little faith Carroll will be there in 3 yrs time. The prime issue with the backline i believe is to try and free up Rivers to be a rover and loose man in defence. If Garland could ever be a FB it would allow Frawley to take CHB and rivers to be the loose man or play on the wing. Otherwise whats the chance Garland can take CHB allowing frawley to play FB. Would he ever be good enough to take either CHB or FB do people think?

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

Would Garland ever be good enough to play FB. Frawley is the suggested name to play there and i have little faith Carroll will be there in 3 yrs time. The prime issue with the backline i believe is to try and free up Rivers to be a rover and loose man in defence. If Garland could ever be a FB it would allow Frawley to take CHB and rivers to be the loose man or play on the wing. Otherwise whats the chance Garland can take CHB allowing frawley to play FB. Would he ever be good enough to take either CHB or FB do people think?

I see no reason why he couldn't fill either of those positions. From what I can tell he is mobile, athletic and strong overhead. I don't see it being a question of physical.

Skills?? From what I've heard they are between OK - Good?

So the real question mark lies with the man himself, and his drive to get the best out himself. I suppose if you knew that answer, you might be good enough to take stake a claim for the now vacant Recruiting Position.

My feel is that he will play a third Tall in the Backline this year until he can stake his claim in the forward line, where I reckon his flair for goal kicking will shine through - It would be waisted in the backline.