Fast forward to the eve of the 2009 season and it could be argued Warnock is now the general in Melbourne's defence.
Taking out the talented Jared Rivers, who has played just nine matches in the past two seasons due to injury, Warnock is the most experienced tall down back in terms of age and games at the club.
Warnock, who played every game from round six onwards last year, finished fourth in Melbourne's best-and-fairest. It was a fine effort considering he had just four matches under his belt after starting as a rookie in 2005.
Now in his sixth season, the 24-year-old with 21 matches to his name is set to play his first round one match for the club.
"It's really exciting getting ready for round one. I've never done that before so I'm looking forward to it, but preparation doesn't really change too much," Warnock told melbournefc.com.au.
"I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing and keep my head down.
"[Finishing fourth in the best-and-fairest] was a good reward for the year and it was good to know the coaches rated or appreciated some of the games I had."
Having stepped up last year, Warnock now feels somewhat of a leader down back and around the club, particularly with Melbourne's young list.
"I do [feel] a bit [of a leader]. Not games or experience wise, but age pushes [me up] a bit," he said.
"After breaking into the side and having a reasonable season, I probably do [feel] a little bit [of a leader] around the club."
Warnock said opportunity, maturing and gaining belief from coach Dean Bailey and defensive coach Sean Wellman had helped him make the step-up last year.
"It was a combination. In the previous two years, I had two games in a row, so it was a good opportunity and the coach has been great. Dean has been really good for me. So it's probably a combination of all of those things," he said.
Warnock believes the club's backline is already progressing positively this year.
"We've all really come along together last year and this pre-season," he said.
"We've got a few talls coming through – Col Garland, James Frawley, Stef Martin, Jared Rivers and myself – so it's been good to push each other along in the pre-season. It's also helped getting to know each other's games and a lot of us can play on talls or smalls.
"I've focused on my marking over the pre-season and I reckon I'm fitter and stronger than I ever have been at this time of the year."
