So looks like Big Ben will get his GF in only a week.

[saintsRrising]

After the heartache of missing the GF looks like big Ben may only have to waita week for his chance given that Gardi seems to have a new problem.

[perfectionist]

Yep, he's in.

[SainterK]

Norm Smith?

[Bardon Saint]

what injury happened to gardi? Was it in the second qtr that he went off?

[battye]

what injury happened to gardi? Was it in the second qtr that he went off?

Hamstring I read somewhere?

[saint-stu]

It will be nice to have a ruckman for the rematch!

[markp]

I heard that Gardi was just unable to sprint in the last, but no injury reported... he looked to be walking fine after the siren.

[The Sainter]

Must play big Ben regardless of who is available. Kosi tried hard in the ruck as also did Blake but he must go back to full forward. Ben can also be very handy up front or back. We have enough on - ballers so why not put Mcqualter on Thomas? Tell him to stick to him like glue and tackle him hard as hell every time he can. Thomas gets most of his kicks on his own and is often ordinary when put under fierce pressure.

[Verdun66]

Gardy looked to have ice on his calf when the cameras panned on to the bench at one stage. To think we played nearly 3/4 of the game without him, that's a huge effort by the other 22. I think we won the hit outs as well.

[SainterK]

The more I think about it, the more steady I think we should go on pumping up Ben for this week.

Let's be realistic about it, he wasn't the only other big guy on the emergency list, what if we and the media pump him up and he gets overlooked again?

There is so many scenario's

They may opt for Kosi and Blake in the ruck, and start Gilbert forward from the first bounce, and bring in a someone like a Geary.

They may bring in Stanley to play forward alongside Roo, given his pace.

It's not guaranteed yet, and I just hope it doesn't end badly for him again.

[saintnick12]

I agree SainterK, though Ross was fairly positive about his chances on THE FOOTY SHOW this morning. Given how badly he feels about what he's already put Ben through (even saying publicly that the club will need to spend a lot of time with him to help him get over it), I can't imagine he would have been so positive unless he is a very big chance. Not that he said he was in, but he smiled and was very positive.

[OhMyGoddard]

Hope big Ben didn't eat too many pies and have too many beers on Sat arvo!

[saintkid]

If I was Ben, I would be training the house down this week.

[LaUrEnCe]

As tears streamed down Danielle Gardiner's face, it was evident her husband's dream of playing in a winning AFL grand final was over.
Michael Gardiner is believed to have torn his hamstring in the second quarter of Saturday's historic grand final draw.
He told friends after the game that the forecast was grim.
"He's not going to play next week," she said of his misfortune.
Gardiner failed to appear on the field after half-time with ruck duties left to forward Justin Koschitzke and defender Jason Blake.
St Kilda officials said they didn't know what was wrong with their main ruckman, but with scans over the 48 hours after the match, they fear the worst.
"I just feel so sorry for him," Danielle said.
"It's just so sad."

The champagne she was sipping was little consolation. But with every misfortune, there is a silver lining.
Unlucky Saint Ben McEvoy is almost certain to get a reprieve for next week's replay, as Gardiner ponders his immediate future.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 51,00.html