Melbourne defender Colin Garland has announced his retirement from AFL football.
Garland, 29, was part of Melbourne’s best 22 for the best part of five years, playing 95 games over a six year period from 2010 to 2015, before managing just six games in 2016 due to the emergence of younger defenders such as Oscar McDonald.
He then suffered an ACL injury in a VFL practice match against Port Melbourne in April this year, ending his season before it even begun.
“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,” Garland told the club's website.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Garland, despite being contracted for 2018, will move into a range of coaching roles with the Demons next season.
He played a total of 141 matches for the Dees since making his debut in 2007.
