Demons Defender Colin Garland Announces Retirement

Moving into coaching.


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Veteran Melbourne defender Colin Garland has announced his retirement.

Garland, who played 141 matches for the Demons, will move into a range of coaching roles, according to the club.

The club has confirmed he will be the inaugural coach of the Casey Demons in the VFLW competition.

He has previously held roles with the women's team alongside playing.

Garland thanked everyone for his 11 years at the Demons.

“I would like to thank everyone that has impacted positively to my career over the 11 years I’ve spent at the club as a player. Meeting people and hearing the story of their life has truly been the best thing about being at the football club,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“To my family, friends and especially my partner Jessie, you have supported me through it all. When you’re a professional athlete, the sacrifices are actually made by the people closest to you, so I thank them for letting me do something I love for so long."

Garland, who missed all of 2017 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, says this has still been the most fulfilling year of his career.

"I would like to point out that this decision has been some time in the making –myself and Josh have been having conversations for a while now. In the end, the well was dry. I couldn’t live the trademark anymore as a player. I didn’t want to waste a year remaining on the list, both personally and for the team," he said.

"With the timing of my injury at the start of the season, I needed to find something to do to feel I was contributing. My work with the women’s team and with the Juvenile Justice Centre has made this year the most rewarding of my life.

"I would like to thank the club for the opportunity I have next year. It combines two things I love – football and helping others."

Ethan Meldrum

18 October 2017

Article by:

Ethan Meldrum




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