DEFENDER Colin Garland says Melbourne will not take Gold Coast lightly this Sunday at the MCG.
Although the Suns have won just three matches in their inaugural season, they have shown plenty of promise and some impressive patches throughout 2011.
And with Melbourne dropping its past five matches, Garland said the team must be on its game to claim the four points.
“There is a fair bit of pressure actually to beat them, because you’re expected to,” he said at AAMI Park on Thursday.
“But Gold Coast has shown that if you do take them lightly, they can play well.
“There have been a lot of teams that they have jumped, especially with their stoppage and contested work, which has been really good this year.
“If you take them lightly, they can definitely jump you and they’re going to be excited because it’s their first game on the MCG in the history of their club.”
Garland said the players have been impressed by coach Todd Viney since he took over from Dean Bailey, following Melbourne’s round 19 shocker against Geelong.
“The players have really got behind Todd since he’s got this role, because he’s brought in a very fresh approach to the group,” he said.
“He’s come from an outside perspective, as a development coach. He wasn’t a full-time assistant coach before he entered the role as senior coach.
“He’s brought real honesty to the group and the players have embraced him so far. Whether he puts his hand up [for the job permanently], we’ll wait and see.”
Meanwhile, Garland believes outstanding young midfielder Tom Scully will remain a Demon, despite being strongly targeted by incoming AFL club Greater Western Sydney for 2012.
“As a playing group, we’ve trusted Tom’s word all through the year that he’s going to make a decision at the end of the year,” he said.
“He’s been steadfast in saying that all year and we believe that to be the case.
“As a player, I believe that he’ll stay and be a Melbourne player for 10-plus years.”
Although the Suns have won just three matches in their inaugural season, they have shown plenty of promise and some impressive patches throughout 2011.
And with Melbourne dropping its past five matches, Garland said the team must be on its game to claim the four points.
“There is a fair bit of pressure actually to beat them, because you’re expected to,” he said at AAMI Park on Thursday.
“But Gold Coast has shown that if you do take them lightly, they can play well.
“There have been a lot of teams that they have jumped, especially with their stoppage and contested work, which has been really good this year.
“If you take them lightly, they can definitely jump you and they’re going to be excited because it’s their first game on the MCG in the history of their club.”
Garland said the players have been impressed by coach Todd Viney since he took over from Dean Bailey, following Melbourne’s round 19 shocker against Geelong.
“The players have really got behind Todd since he’s got this role, because he’s brought in a very fresh approach to the group,” he said.
“He’s come from an outside perspective, as a development coach. He wasn’t a full-time assistant coach before he entered the role as senior coach.
“He’s brought real honesty to the group and the players have embraced him so far. Whether he puts his hand up [for the job permanently], we’ll wait and see.”
Meanwhile, Garland believes outstanding young midfielder Tom Scully will remain a Demon, despite being strongly targeted by incoming AFL club Greater Western Sydney for 2012.
“As a playing group, we’ve trusted Tom’s word all through the year that he’s going to make a decision at the end of the year,” he said.
“He’s been steadfast in saying that all year and we believe that to be the case.
“As a player, I believe that he’ll stay and be a Melbourne player for 10-plus years.”
