COLIN Garland admits he is only now discovering what it takes to play AFL football at a consistent level.

Preparing to play his 100^th game for Melbourne against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday, the 25-year-old – who is in his seventh year at the Demons – was refreshingly honest when talking about the reason behind his rapid rate of improvement this year.

Garland revealed he had worked closely with Melbourne backline coach Jade Rawlings during the preseason to ensure the mental side of his game was at its peak.

"I wasn't mentally weak, but I probably didn't prepare mentally as best as I could each week and probably didn't really know how to best prepare myself," Garland told AFL.com.au.

This realisation was not an easy topic for both Garland and Rawlings to broach with each other.

"I was one of those guys where I might play a couple of good games and then might have a game where I was just off," Garland said.

"It wasn't a physical thing but more a mental thing and it was about learning how to stimulate myself the best I can once the game starts."

The Demon defender is averaging a career-high 15.5 disposals per game, as well as a personal best 3.8 tackles this season.

In fact he is ranked 11^th in the AFL in the all-important 'one-percenters' category and equal 14^th in the competition in rebound 50s.  

Garland has adopted the old adage of 'train as you play' and it is a key reason behind his enhanced form in 2013.

"I'm an easy going guy and used to approach games and training sessions in the same way - always doing my best, but not putting in the right work to be ready," Garland said.

"That's the main difference for me and I've gained so much more confidence in myself, and confidence in my preparation."

"Because I'm so confident in how I prepare, it's sort of flowing into games."

Many experienced commentators have criticised the Demons for lacking leadership in what has been a diabolical season for the club.

But Garland has been the exception - he says he has really tried to put the onus on himself and the rest of the leadership group to pull the club out of the mire it has found itself in.

"It's just about being sick of where the club's at and taking more responsibility on my shoulders," he said.

"It's my time and Nathan Jones' time and James Frawley's time to really step up and be leaders of the club."