WITH the New Year here, melbournefc.com.au takes a look at each player’s key stats entering 2016, as coach Paul Roos provides a pre-season update on every squad member. Be sure to check back each day on melbournefc.com.au, as we present all 45 players in the first half of January …
COLIN GARLAND – No.20
Date of birth: 28/4/1988 (27 years old)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 92kg
AFL debut: 2007
AFL games: 135, AFL goals: 16
Position: Tall defender
Recruited: North Hobart (Tas)/Tassie Mariners (Tas)/Tasmania VFL (Tas)
Drafted: 2006 NAB AFL Draft (No.46)
Honours: Second Best and Fairest 2013
“Col has been a real standout. He came back off his own volition with the young guys and did about four or five sessions with them. He’s been running well and he’s been training well. Col’s been a real shining light in the pre-season and I think he’ll have another terrific season.” – Paul Roos
MAX GAWN – No.11
Date of birth: 30/12/1991 (24 years old)
Height: 208cm, Weight: 111kg
AFL debut: 2011
AFL games: 39, AFL goals: 18
Position: Ruckman
Recruited: Ormond (Vic)/Sandringham Dragons (Vic)
Drafted: 2009 NAB AFL Draft (No.34)
“Gawny has been really good. He’s been consistent and I think that’s what you want with your pre-season – not missing many sessions and doing everything. Greg Stafford’s been working really hard with him in the ruck – particularly his marking and playing forward. The ruck is going to be interesting now with the limited interchange rotations, four on the bench and no sub. But I can’t complain with Max – he’s been very good.” – Paul Roos
JACK GRIMES – No.31
Date of birth: 11/5/1989 (26 years old)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 84kg
AFL debut: 2008
AFL games: 98, AFL goals: 11
Position: Defender
Recruited: Hurstbridge (Vic)/Northern Knights (Vic)
Drafted: 2007 NAB AFL Draft (No.14)
Honours: Co-Captain 2012-14; Second Best and Fairest 2012; NAB AFL Rising Star nominee 2009
“Grimesy hasn’t missed a beat. He’s a true professional and came back in really good shape. He’s training well and his decision-making has been really good. The things we told him to work on at the end of last season – he’s really working hard on them. He continually works hard to try and improve as a footballer.” – Paul Roos
