Young Melbourne defender Colin Garland has picked up a NAB Rising Star nomination for for his consistent efforts playing in the Demons backline.
Garland, 20, has lined up on some of the most damaging forwards in the game which includes Lance Franklin, Alan Didak, Nick Riewoldt, Nathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.Although earning his nomination playing on Bradshaw in there round 14 victory over the Lions Colin doesn’t believe it was his best game of the season.
“I guess I’ve been pretty consistent with my form, but I think I did alright on Bradshaw, although I didn’t think it was my best game for the year,” he said.
“I just tried not to wrestle with Bradshaw because he’s a pretty big bloke, so I just tried to stay behind him and be in the contest the whole time.”
After playing only two games in 2007 Garland has been a shining light for Melbourne this season and has become Melbourne’s second player to earn a Rising Star nomination this year, Austin Wonaeamirri picked up a nomination in the demons round 7 match against Fremantle.
Garland, selection 46 in the 2006 national draft, has impressed coach Dean Bailey.
“Colin has played a number of roles this season, playing on both talls and smalls in the backline, after initially beginning the year in the forward line,” Bailey said.
“He’ll only continue to get better over the course of the year.”