Michael Gardiner please!

[AnythingsPossibleSaints]

Once (if) he's fully fit again, we need him back.
Big Mac is seemingly getting smashed in the ruck every week. This week it was against someone off the Lions rookie list, who had 36 hitouts to Mac's 16, in less time on the ground.
Gardi apparently carried a knee injury for most of last year, but if that operation was a success and he gets back to full fitness, and is injury free (for the first time in a long time, apparently) he could give us a huge lift, both in the ruck and with his presence.
Hopefully Mac will make it eventually, but in the meantime, Gardi could still be our best option in there, with Kosi helping him out, as long as Gardi is able to spend a longer amount of time on the ground than he has in recent years.
Not sure we'll be a serious premiership threat with Mac getting soundly beaten in the ruck.

[SainterK]

Read elsewhere he is not looking good APS

[PJ]

We won't be a threat to anybody - as you said his opponent has only just been elevated. This is our biggest problem. Gardi will be good for 1 or 2 seasons tops. The future - ????

[AnythingsPossibleSaints]

Read elsewhere he is not looking good APS

Boooo. In what way?

[PJ]

Read elsewhere he is not looking good APS

Funny Hutchy said he was coming along and seemed positive on the Tuesday report.

[stkildathunda]

Read elsewhere he is not looking good APS

Boooo. In what way?

http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/artic ... -gardiner/

And there is mounting prospect the Saints boss might have to resuscitate his flagging season without imposing ruck star Michael Gardiner.

Gardiner, 31, is understood to be suffering on-going soft tissue soreness as he bravely attempts to complete final stages of his recuperation from knee surgery conducted in Sweden last December.

Gardiner is believed to have originally set his sights at a comeback by early May.

The 180-game big man has a completely regenerated knee but continues to experience severe soreness in his legs and his hamstrings in particular, after heavy running sessions in a bid to rebuild physical conditioning required for the rigours of AFL action.

Gardiner is expected to retire if he fails in his bid to regain match conditioning in time to play a significant role in the Saints lunge to make this year’s finals.

The big ruck force was forced to miss last year’s historic Grand Final replay against eventual premiers Collingwood when he suffered a bad hamstring strain in the drawn play-off.

Gardiner is only expected to continue his comeback plan if the Saints remain in finals contention.

[AnythingsPossibleSaints]

If that's the case we'd better hope Kosi regains full fitness, stays injury free and gets back into form.

[matrix]

s***.......

[Sainternist]

Yeah, MG has been a HUGE loss.

Definitely brought us a lot more stability.

[Saint Bev]

Michael Nettlefold said the other night he was coming on well, ahead of expectation, but I don't think St Kilda will rush him back.

Our ruck is definately a big problem, Big Mac is not up to it at this stage.

[plugger66]

Michael Nettlefold said the other night he was coming on well, ahead of expectation, but I don't think St Kilda will rush him back.

Our ruck is definately a big problem, Big Mac is not up to it at this stage.

Well he better get up to it because he is by far the best option we have at the moment. Overated IMO anyway is the ruckman. Look at the pies last week. Killed in the ruck and won by 70.

[St. Luke]

I hope Gardy does make it back, not for any other reason than me lovin' his style He's been bloody handy for us!

[saintbrat]

whilst I quite like sportsnewsfirst as being new and fresh on the face of media I now take things with a pinch or two of salt

they also reported Nixon was defending his suspension- about 2 hours out from deadline -- he didn't

working hard to get the 'scoop'
I would much rather press reporter 'facts' correctly....

[ace]

Michael Nettlefold said the other night he was coming on well, ahead of expectation, but I don't think St Kilda will rush him back.

Our ruck is definately a big problem, Big Mac is not up to it at this stage.

Well he better get up to it because he is by far the best option we have at the moment. Overated IMO anyway is the ruckman. Look at the pies last week. Killed in the ruck and won by 70.

So you really are GT.

[plugger66]

Michael Nettlefold said the other night he was coming on well, ahead of expectation, but I don't think St Kilda will rush him back.

Our ruck is definately a big problem, Big Mac is not up to it at this stage.

Well he better get up to it because he is by far the best option we have at the moment. Overated IMO anyway is the ruckman. Look at the pies last week. Killed in the ruck and won by 70.

So you really are GT.

And you really are back.

[Con Gorozidis]

If gardi retires we need to do what everyone in the footy world knows. Semi-Rebuild required. 3-4 years. We should tank now.

[plugger66]

If gardi retires we need to do what everyone in the footy world knows. Semi-Rebuild required. 3-4 years. We should tank now.

Does that mean we will be good in 3-4 years or we should rebuild for 3-4 years?

[Dr Spaceman]

If gardi retires we need to do what everyone in the footy world knows. Semi-Rebuild required. 3-4 years. We should tank now.

Does that mean we will be good in 3-4 years or we should rebuild for 3-4 years?

And by then we may have obtained/groomed the best ruckman in the league.

Of course Roo and Lenny will have retired and Fisher, BJ and Joey will be on their last legs.

But hey, we'll be getting lots of them tap outs!

[saintbrat]

Read elsewhere he is not looking good APS

Boooo. In what way?

http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/artic ... -gardiner/

Interesting- just re watched 360 and there was discussion on the above mentioned website and where it's info may come from..- no expression of one way or other just a query.... and wait and see....

[saintbrat]

Once (if) he's fully fit again, we need him back.
Big Mac is seemingly getting smashed in the ruck every week. This week it was against someone off the Lions rookie list, who had 36 hitouts to Mac's 16, in less time on the ground.
.

said Rookie- is 2 years older and solider than Ben, Broc 25 Ben only 22
so although not having been in the AFL: has obviously had time eslwehere...

[SaintPav]

Michael Nettlefold said the other night he was coming on well, ahead of expectation, but I don't think St Kilda will rush him back.

Our ruck is definately a big problem, Big Mac is not up to it at this stage.

Well he better get up to it because he is by far the best option we have at the moment. Overated IMO anyway is the ruckman. Look at the pies last week. Killed in the ruck and won by 70.

So you really are GT.

GT only thought good ruckman were useful and that's why we tried to get Cox. A bit like good posters.

[SaintPav]

If gardi retires we need to do what everyone in the footy world knows. Semi-Rebuild required. 3-4 years. We should tank now.

Are you friggin serious?

I love the way everyone has written Maca off. Incredible.

[Longwayfromhome]

Big Mac just needs a bit more assistance and it isn't going to come from Kosi. Never was a ruck option and astounds me that we are considering him one now.
Set up a ruck team now.
Maybe Big Mac and Archer
Maybe Big Mac and Blake
Maybe Big Mac and Stanley
Maybe Gardiner and Big Mac.
I would personally go with the younger of the options. Get them all in and let Mr. King show them the trade.
Old dogs can't learn new tricks.

[bobmurray]

I hope they draft a ruckman at years end.....


If there are any out there to draft.....

[dcstkfc]

I hope they draft a ruckman at years end.....


If there are any out there to draft.....

Will be a few looking for a new club after sub rule has starved them of opportunities. Wouldn't be surprised if Minson wanted a move or was shown the door.