Gards comeback has terrible timing.

[saintjake]

With both Johnson and Walsh currently pushing
Very hard for selection the comeback of Gards could not of come at a worse time. Huge chance we will see him playing second fiddle to Mcevoy ala kosi.
Playing as a full forward and going into the ruck for a
Bit.
Meaning on past history of how Ross likes his forward line there will be no room for Walsh or Johnson.
Also if Gards builds up some fitness and takes Mcevoys place it will be for the worse, Gards is the past. Mcevoy is the future if this happens Ross and the selection team would of learnt nothing from the past[/list]

[stinger]

you have a point

[mad saint guy]

His return seems a bit futile with our season basically dead and McEvoy one of the few players really doing well. I'd be happy to see Gards come back in the side to play 40% ruck and 20% forward to give McEvoy a rest and an opportunity to move forward and provide a tall option when needed.

[saintjake]

His return seems a bit futile with our season basically dead and McEvoy one of the few players really doing well. I'd be happy to see Gards come back in the side to play 40% ruck and 20% forward to give McEvoy a rest and an opportunity to move forward and provide a tall option when needed.

But what's the point in that when he won't plY next year Nf we need to get some
Games into blokes like Walsh, Johnskn, Stanley and Archer to see if they can do some damage or just to build their confidence

[To the top]

To the contrary.

If we are to put together a solid post bye performance and push for finals representation this season, Gardiner is a requirement.

As he is next year.

He has just turned 32 and has 180 games under his belt.

So his time out with injury means his body has not taken the battering of some others of his age.

Is a very good ruckman, with good (and missed) aggression and good mobility.

The only other ruckman we have on our list is the fast developing McEvoy whose other skills indicate he could spend time deep in attack - taking more pressure off Riewoldt and Koschitzke - whilst Gardiner carries 60% of the rucking duties.

And it frees Koschitzke (and Riewoldt this year) up from ruck duties allowing our forward line to structure better.

Of those we have over 30 years of age, Hayes and Gardiner are the 2 who are required.

You do not get rid of good, hard bodied, hard at it and skilled footballers.

These 2 are team leaders by their approach and the central positions they occupy.

Stanley, whilst having the height, does not have the body to ruck at this stage of his career - and may never have.

That is the end of our ruck stocks - as confirmed by our rucking of Blake, Koschitzke, Gwilt, Dawson, Fisher and Riewoldt.

And in regards the awe and admiration for Walsh - well let's see him actually play an AFL game.

Given he has not progressed to that level as yet I fail to accept that he is the cure to our rucks, our backline and/or our forward line as some on here present.

I hope he does progress, but to expect him to be a KPP contributor is fanciful at this stage.

No doubt we need an alternative to Dawson - but the jury is still well and truly out on Walsh.

[Sobraz]

I'd hate to see Walsh in the ruck at any stage...

He's competing more with Zac, Blake, Simpkin I would of thought, in that key defensive spot...

Gardi has no real competition, hence the no real backup for McEvoy...

Don't really want to see Kosi in the ruck anymore either... No point...

So, in that, cant wait for Gardi to get back, get fit, and put together a good half a season, with the intention of 1 last campaign in 2012...

[BakesFan]

To the contrary.

If we are to put together a solid post bye performance and push for finals representation this season, Gardiner is a requirement.

As he is next year.

He has just turned 32 and has 180 games under his belt.

So his time out with injury means his body has not taken the battering of some others of his age.

Is a very good ruckman, with good (and missed) aggression and good mobility.

The only other ruckman we have on our list is the fast developing McEvoy whose other skills indicate he could spend time deep in attack - taking more pressure off Riewoldt and Koschitzke - whilst Gardiner carries 60% of the rucking duties.

And it frees Koschitzke (and Riewoldt this year) up from ruck duties allowing our forward line to structure better.

Of those we have over 30 years of age, Hayes and Gardiner are the 2 who are required.

You do not get rid of good, hard bodied, hard at it and skilled footballers.

These 2 are team leaders by their approach and the central positions they occupy.

Stanley, whilst having the height, does not have the body to ruck at this stage of his career - and may never have.

That is the end of our ruck stocks - as confirmed by our rucking of Blake, Koschitzke, Gwilt, Dawson, Fisher and Riewoldt.

And in regards the awe and admiration for Walsh - well let's see him actually play an AFL game.

Given he has not progressed to that level as yet I fail to accept that he is the cure to our rucks, our backline and/or our forward line as some on here present.

I hope he does progress, but to expect him to be a KPP contributor is fanciful at this stage.

No doubt we need an alternative to Dawson - but the jury is still well and truly out on Walsh.

Good post... The season is far from over... and Gardi's return may be something that helps get us going... and do some damage in The Finals.

[clarky449]

Could have a few games to say goodbye. Doubt he will make much impact this year.

[plugger66]

Could have a few games to say goodbye. Doubt he will make much impact this year.

Yep why get excited by an old one position player. He is saying goodbye. May play a couple in the ones but he will make little difference. We have bigger problems than him.

[WinnersOnly]

The upside is that McEvoy would actually make a better full forward than Kosi - if Gardiner can return to form in the ruck it is win / win. Aswell as no Kosi in the team adn McEvoy is continued to be developed for the future.

[Dr Spaceman]

I must have missed the statement from Gards confirming this would be his last year  :shock: 

While it may sound logical, afterall he apparently had to be talked into going on this year, it is not set in stone. It will all come down to how his body is after these last rounds of surgery.

It really is amazing how quick things change. Only a couple weeks ago many posters were scouring opposition lists looking for ruckmen, mainly cos McEvoy wasn't considered up to it!

Ben still needs some help at this stage of his career so if MG wants to go on I very much doubt the Saints will say no.

[SainterK]

I have to clarify, how on earth is the season over?

[saintbrat]

only thing terrible about his timing is he comes up against a grand final ruckman just back from a holiday in the sun...

I'm guessing the rarified air of Sandringham may be a bit differant to Arizona.

great timing for me- half a season still to go=- good to have a senior back up for Ben,

[St Nick]

If St Kilda offer Gards a contract for next year I will be devastated. As a previous poster said, it means that they have learnt nothing.

[Dr Spaceman]

If St Kilda offer Gards a contract for next year I will be devastated. As a previous poster said, it means that they have learnt nothing.

What do they need to learn?

People are suggesting all sorts of names from opposition clubs, players who are struggling to get games at their current clubs. Gards may very well hang up the boots after all the injury problems he's had. But IF he can get himself fit and help Ben through another development year, what's the big deal? At least it would save us tossing away valuable draft picks on a rucking back up.

There's lots of things to be devastated about if you're a Saints fan. If that's high on your list you're not really looking hard enough IMO!

[Junction Oval]

McEvoy's body is not yet ready to ruck one out for most of the 10 games to go. Gardi will help out there, as well as providing a marking option up forward. The way McEvoy has been marking around the ground lately, with Gardi back, McEvoy may take Kosi's spot for a few weeks, to see how things go.

The rider is that Kosi showed some spark against Geelong, which will have caught the selectors' eyes. It will be interesting to see how the cards fall.

[saintbrat]

McEvoy's body is not yet ready to ruck one out for most of the 10 games to go. Gardi will help out there, as well as providing a marking option up forward. The way McEvoy has been marking around the ground lately, with Gardi back, McEvoy may take Kosi's spot for a few weeks, to see how things go.

The rider is that Kosi showed some spark against Geelong, which will have caught the selectors' eyes. It will be interesting to see how the cards fall.

well it would have been good for gardi to be back a couple of weeks ago and then he would have had match fitness before being needed next week with kosi out

if you get what I mean

[Junction Oval]

Yep - the Saints always seem to get caught out at times.

[saintbrat]

http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/artic ... id-starts/

this article states most of what has been theorised on here- and is theory only but written by West australian so may be some idea.

[MCG-Unit]

I'm glad Gardiner is coming back - don't think his career, or the club's season is over just yet. McEvoy needs help in the ruck....

[saintbrat]

Yep - the Saints always seem to get caught out at times.

a matter of inches and metres( games) and days and hours. ( trading)

[Junction Oval]

Good get on the press article Saintbrat. You must have every media cable in Australia, stuck up your arse for instant viewing and replay.

[saintbrat]

Good get on the press article Saintbrat. You must have every media cable in Australia, stuck up your arse for instant viewing and replay.

used to love sainters.com- and still check westofmoorabbin.com

but there is aproviso with sportesnewsfirst- there are queries on some of their sourcing... and as I said he is only using assumption as we all are.

[terry smith rules]

To the contrary.

If we are to put together a solid post bye performance and push for finals representation this season, Gardiner is a requirement.

As he is next year.

He has just turned 32 and has 180 games under his belt. ....................................

- but the jury is still well and truly out on Walsh.

well played one of the best posts on here for some time

[saintspremiers]

To the contrary.

If we are to put together a solid post bye performance and push for finals representation this season, Gardiner is a requirement.

As he is next year.

He has just turned 32 and has 180 games under his belt.

So his time out with injury means his body has not taken the battering of some others of his age.

Is a very good ruckman, with good (and missed) aggression and good mobility.

The only other ruckman we have on our list is the fast developing McEvoy whose other skills indicate he could spend time deep in attack - taking more pressure off Riewoldt and Koschitzke - whilst Gardiner carries 60% of the rucking duties.

And it frees Koschitzke (and Riewoldt this year) up from ruck duties allowing our forward line to structure better.

Of those we have over 30 years of age, Hayes and Gardiner are the 2 who are required.

You do not get rid of good, hard bodied, hard at it and skilled footballers.

These 2 are team leaders by their approach and the central positions they occupy.

Stanley, whilst having the height, does not have the body to ruck at this stage of his career - and may never have.

That is the end of our ruck stocks - as confirmed by our rucking of Blake, Koschitzke, Gwilt, Dawson, Fisher and Riewoldt.

And in regards the awe and admiration for Walsh - well let's see him actually play an AFL game.

Given he has not progressed to that level as yet I fail to accept that he is the cure to our rucks, our backline and/or our forward line as some on here present.

I hope he does progress, but to expect him to be a KPP contributor is fanciful at this stage.

No doubt we need an alternative to Dawson - but the jury is still well and truly out on Walsh.

Good post... The season is far from over... and Gardi's return may be something that helps get us going... and do some damage in The Finals.

damage in the finals LOL!!!

Are you one of the few premiership deluded ones?

IF we play ONE final we should all be delighted from where we sit now.

Settle Pettle!