Where does Gardiner fit in all of this?

Marchin' In · Fri 12 Oct 2007 6:39pm

I'm rapt we've got Steven King, but I'm wondering where Michael Gardiner fits in next year. Does this mean the club has already lost faith in his ability to play? I'd hate it if he returned to his best in 2008 only for us to not have a spot for him in the side. With Kosi and Blake in the team, it seems unlikely he'll play for us.

Scorpions specialist?

True Blue Sainter · Fri 12 Oct 2007 6:51pm

Marchin' In wrote:I'm rapt we've got Steven King, but I'm wondering where Michael Gardiner fits in next year. Does this mean the club has already lost faith in his ability to play? I'd hate it if he returned to his best in 2008 only for us to not have a spot for him in the side. With Kosi and Blake in the team, it seems unlikely he'll play for us.

Scorpions specialist?

Simple. Kosi is a natural forward, not a ruckman. Blake should not be in the side for his rucking abilities.

Two ruckman are needed - so if Gardiner can get firing, all the better. A side with Gardiner & King as the main two ruckman with Kosi as a pinch-hitter is perfect.

LENNY LEADS THE WAY · Fri 12 Oct 2007 7:17pm

The best sides will always have plenty of ruck depth lets hope 08 king and gardiner can fill the roles or our best ruckmen with depth players to be learning the trade at casey

bigred · Post: # 474670Post **bigred** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 7:36pm

I still have massive hopes for Michael Gardiner.

saintsrule · Post: # 474672Post **saintsrule** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 7:37pm

it is quite obvious

SaintBot · Post: # 474675Post **SaintBot** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 7:38pm

saintsrule wrote:it is quite obvious

what is?

saintsrule · Post: # 474678Post **saintsrule** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 7:40pm

where gardiner will fit in

SaintBot · Post: # 474682Post **SaintBot** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 7:41pm

saintsrule wrote:where gardiner will fit in

where's that?

saintsrule · Post: # 474684Post **saintsrule** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 7:41pm

the ruck

SaintBot · Post: # 474690Post **SaintBot** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 7:45pm

saintsrule wrote:the ruck

so where's King?

saintsrule · Post: # 474714Post **saintsrule** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 8:11pm

ic ruck

saintrod · Post: # 474758Post **saintrod** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 8:57pm

I have been concerned about some recent posts suggesting Gardiner has very bad foot problems which may mean he is not able to play next year.
I don't know if these reports are accurate but I do want to know the real story.

Gardiner should only fit into our plans next year if he is fit to play. He has not played a decent game in the ruck since 2003 and if he can't play next year he is effectively a complete write-off.

I do not want to see another Hamill situation if he is fit he is in our plans if he is not get him to retire (which means paying out his contract) and put or keep (if this means keeping Brooks) someone on our list who can actually play.

The club theerefore needs to quickly get a good medcial assessment as to whether his feet are in a condition which will enable him to play next year.

Dan Warna · Post: # 474777Post **Dan Warna** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 9:07pm

its an interesting one isn't it?

we now have two potentially gun ruckmen, neither of which are likely to have extended careers at st kilda...

I think this reinforces my opinion that RL believes he has a premiership list and is aiming for a premiership in the next 2 to 3 years max.

linz · Post: # 474817Post **linz** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 9:35pm

It's all a big punt (no mispelling either). Gardiner cost us almost nothing & I'm sure King will be on a performance contract. I quiet like the odds of success on these trades.

stinger · Post: # 474829Post **stinger** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 9:46pm

linz wrote:It's all a big punt (no mispelling either). Gardiner cost us almost nothing & I'm sure King will be on a performance contract. I quiet like the odds of success on these trades.

i think king will be a winner...can't do any worse than clarke or rix ffs.......

plugger66 · Post: # 474832Post **plugger66** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 9:47pm

stinger wrote:
linz wrote:It's all a big punt (no mispelling either). Gardiner cost us almost nothing & I'm sure King will be on a performance contract. I quiet like the odds of success on these trades.

i think king will be a winner...can't do any worse than clarke or rix ffs.......

Coming around are you

nicko016 · Post: # 474915Post **nicko016** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 10:47pm

Hopefully Gardy can get on the park next year. If he can it doesn't really matter all that much where he fits. Realistically, it would be wishful thinking to think that both Gardiner and King will play all 22+ games. I reckon King will play about 16-18 plus finals and Gardy is anyone's guess. If the do happen to play together I envisage King being #1 ruck and Gardiner playing ruck/foward. In the WAFL last year Gardiner was very effective as a ruck/forward averge about 15 disposals, 15-20 hitouts and about 2 goals per game. So, if they do happen to both play all 22 games Gardiner could fill that role allowing King to spend a majority of time in the ruck.

bigred · Post: # 474919Post **bigred** » Fri 12 Oct 2007 10:55pm

The word that I have is that Gardiner's foot is fine. The surgery he had late in the season, has pretty much sorted the issue.

I would be happy to give him another 1yr deal and see what comes of it.

Granted, 2007 was a complete write off for him, but hell, Gardiner and King would make a substantial ruck combination.

Would be fantastic to see our midfield fed by a couple of QUALITY ruckmen for once.

Instead of pinch hitters and cabbages such as Knoble and Ackland.

st_Trav_ofWA · Fri 12 Oct 2007 11:04pm

how great would it be id gardi come back to full strength and king is firing on all cylinders both of them fighting it out to be no. 1 ruck oh what a joy somthing we havent had for years at St kilda a competitive ruck combo with kosi in the forward line and roo dominating CHF milne and Shnides fighting for the crumbs

i cant wait i love this time of year where expectations are soo high

get on board everyone its gunna be a wild ride

hopefully some more of our fans will feel this way and we will hit that 40k membership !!!!

Saints Premiers 2008 · Fri 12 Oct 2007 11:05pm

see what he can do during the pre-season comp etc

to me that would dictate where he plays and who he plays for

if anything its a solid casey player...

Teflon · Post: # 475030Post **Teflon** » Sat 13 Oct 2007 12:39am

plugger66 wrote:
stinger wrote:
linz wrote:It's all a big punt (no mispelling either). Gardiner cost us almost nothing & I'm sure King will be on a performance contract. I quiet like the odds of success on these trades.

i think king will be a winner...can't do any worse than clarke or rix ffs.......

Coming around are you

Mate if he is...get out NOW.

joffaboy · Post: # 475032Post **joffaboy** » Sat 13 Oct 2007 12:43am

Teflon wrote:
plugger66 wrote:
stinger wrote:
linz wrote:It's all a big punt (no mispelling either). Gardiner cost us almost nothing & I'm sure King will be on a performance contract. I quiet like the odds of success on these trades.

i think king will be a winner...can't do any worse than clarke or rix ffs.......

Coming around are you
Mate if he is...get out NOW.

Reporting you to the mods for telling the truth

Otiman · Post: # 475060Post **Otiman** » Sat 13 Oct 2007 1:32am

Can you play a team with all of the following players in it?

Kosi
Gardiner
King
Blake
Watts

That's 5 men who can ruck, or are 200cm or thereabouts.

Saints Premiers 2008 · Sat 13 Oct 2007 1:34am

Otiman wrote:Can you play a team with all of the following players in it?

Kosi
Gardiner
King
Blake
Watts

That's 5 men who can ruck, or are 200cm or thereabouts.

the first three when fit are obvious first 22's

the rest it depends on the team

The_Dud · Post: # 475064Post **The_Dud** » Sat 13 Oct 2007 1:40am

knowing St.Kilda's luck, i'll be happy if King and Gardiner manage to fill one ruck spot all year, i think it will be a bonus if we ever get both of them in the same team fully fit

we have a POTENTIALLY very good ruck set-up, if everything goes our way

Where does Gardiner fit in all of this?

Where does Gardiner fit in all of this?

Re: Where does Gardiner fit in all of this?