M Gardiner Watch Thread

[saintsRrising]

Well the last few weeks we have seen lots of rumours on Gardi from one forumite who claims to have talked with Gardi's Doctor and states that Gardi will never play again....through to those that have seen him running, but that he is out of condition. Some claimed he was in the time trail, some stated that he was not.

Now I personally rate good ruckmen highly and believe that they can make a huge positive difference to a team. King is very fit at present and looks capable of playing many good games for us in 2008. If Gardi could play as well that would be for me a huge dose of cream and having Gardi and King play would more than make up for losing the GTrain...and I rate the GTrain!!!

A FIT M Gardiner of all the current variables that we know about, is to me the one that can now have the biggest impact on 2008 (I am taking King and Schneider as first 22 players as a given.....along with Misson and the AIS guys reducing our soft tissue injury rate to at least AFL average or thereabouts...).


So what I want to know and am most curious about is what shape Gardiner is in and what his progress is now that he has (reportedly) hit the training track.

But I am not interested just now in rumours...just facts and observations (which will be subject to individual bia I admit) of what state M Gardiner is now in. I am confident that many other forumites are interested to.


So please post here any ACTUAL observations or facts that you know who gain on M Gardiner's fitness and training progress from this weeks time trial through to the opening bounce of 2008. Could those that attend training make posts specifically on M Gardiner. Even news that he is running well...or conversely that he is limping!!

Please do not post rumours, or what the taxi driver told you he heard from his wife's hairdresser's shampoo salesman!!

[Spinner]

Phew....when i saw the title, I thought you might be asking for a M Gardiner watch in respect to taking drugs....

But anyways...He's fit...I saw a picture in the Sun showing him boxing with Grammy in the botanic gardens.

[Barney2]

who knows. I know you dont want rumours, but I did too hear he will never play again. Kig is a great Asset to make up for it. A premiership ruckman who was almost BOG

[Huzzad]

Who was it that said Gardi was running well? One of our staff, a board member I think....I read about it on here not long ago. Said he was in good condition and running well and will be ready by NAB Cub. I wish I could remember his name. There's a thread on here somewhere about it with the actual quote.

[Bernard Shakey]

From today's Age:

"According to a Nine news report in Perth last night, Cousins did not travel directly to the US after leaving Perth on October 25, but spent two nights in Sydney, staying with childhood friend and organised crime figure Fabian Quaid at his beachside apartment, and socialising with former Eagles teammate, Michael Gardner."

Wonder how Cousins, Quaid and Gardner socialised?

A few sherberts, or a few lines?

[Saints Premiers 2008]

From today's Age:

"According to a Nine news report in Perth last night, Cousins did not travel directly to the US after leaving Perth on October 25, but spent two nights in Sydney, staying with childhood friend and organised crime figure Fabian Quaid at his beachside apartment, and socialising with former Eagles teammate, Michael Gardner."

Wonder how Cousins, Quaid and Gardner socialised?

A few sherberts, or a few lines?

i doubt gardiner would have indulged

at the end of the year we could have very easily said siyonara to him with our hands clean knowing that we gave him a year and his body failed him

we have him a second chance...again...coupled with his attitude change (apparent)

but then again what do i know?

[Spinner]

From today's Age:

"According to a Nine news report in Perth last night, Cousins did not travel directly to the US after leaving Perth on October 25, but spent two nights in Sydney, staying with childhood friend and organised crime figure Fabian Quaid at his beachside apartment, and socialising with former Eagles teammate, Michael Gardner."

Wonder how Cousins, Quaid and Gardner socialised?

A few sherberts, or a few lines?

Yeh I wonder.....

[Oh When the Saints]

Good thread.

I will get rid of the spurious posts for you sRr.


Quote from The Craw in another thread:

The boys were at Princes Park, drove by them this morning on the way to work.

From what I saw, Gardiner was struggling big time but not sure if that how he runs all the time and also not sure if the boys were just warming up.

Plus the photo from the Herald Sun showing him boxing against Grammy.

I'm sure at the first open session on Monday you will get more info ...

[Quixote]

Can you see Michael Gardiner in this picture?

http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/assets_wal ... NS_8_9.jpg

image removed by mods until it is reduced in size

[Oh When the Saints]

There was an article by Hutchy in his column on the back of The Age on the 28th October. I can't find it, but here's what I posted on SS at the time:

Also a small piece by Craig Hutchinson on the back of The Age, saying that Kosi will be playing up forward in 2008, and that the club were very confident with Michael Gardiner's fitness for next season.

Quixote, I appreciate your sense of humour, but that is a massive image and will make this thread unreadable for anyone with dialup.

[Pwoit]

Found Him
circled in red - goto main pic to see





http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/assets_wal ... NS_8_9.jpg

[Teflon]

From today's Age:

"According to a Nine news report in Perth last night, Cousins did not travel directly to the US after leaving Perth on October 25, but spent two nights in Sydney, staying with childhood friend and organised crime figure Fabian Quaid at his beachside apartment, and socialising with former Eagles teammate, Michael Gardner."

Wonder how Cousins, Quaid and Gardner socialised?

A few sherberts, or a few lines?

i doubt gardiner would have indulged

at the end of the year we could have very easily said siyonara to him with our hands clean knowing that we gave him a year and his body failed him

we have him a second chance...again...coupled with his attitude change (apparent)

but then again what do i know?

Leave it to me - I'll check in with dad..

[Teflon]

Good thread SR - I too am one of those that believe that a fit Gardiner/King will have a huge say in any top echelon finals finishes so their fitness is crucial to us.

Its make or break for Gardiner clearly - a stuff up with Ben or an inability to get on the track for at least 12- 15 games IMO would mean at seasons end its the end of his AFL career....and he will have to move on to becoming "The Big Show" at his local Coles.

Do all you can Gardy......this is it.

[linz]

Can you see Michael Gardiner in this picture?

http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/assets_wal ... NS_8_9.jpg

image removed by mods until it is reduced in size

I FOUND HIM. He's the one next to the bloke who has passed out with a tat on his tummy.

Seriously though, Gardiner could be the X-factor. If he's fit & firing we'll give it a shake this year. If not; nothing ventured nothing gained.

[St Igmata]

Just to put things into their right perspective.
When was Gardiner's last game?
How many has he played of the possible last 100?

You cannot be out of football for that long and expect to have "the x factor"

King played a great flag winning final but he can't do that every week.

A ruckman must be drafted this year for the future or this kind of desperation will continue on forever.

[ausfatcat]

Just to put things into their right perspective.
When was Gardiner's last game?
How many has he played of the possible last 100?

You cannot be out of football for that long and expect to have "the x factor"

King played a great flag winning final but he can't do that every week.

A ruckman must be drafted this year for the future or this kind of desperation will continue on forever.

thats exactly why he could be the x factor for the saints, really he's unknown hence x factor.

[Saints Premiers 2008]

Just to put things into their right perspective.
When was Gardiner's last game?
How many has he played of the possible last 100?

You cannot be out of football for that long and expect to have "the x factor"

King played a great flag winning final but he can't do that every week.

A ruckman must be drafted this year for the future or this kind of desperation will continue on forever.

thats exactly why he could be the x factor for the saints, really he's unknown hence x factor.

king in the grand final was way way overrated

a midget could have rucked again the power and done something meaningful

[St Igmata]

Just to put things into their right perspective.
When was Gardiner's last game?
How many has he played of the possible last 100?

You cannot be out of football for that long and expect to have "the x factor"

King played a great flag winning final but he can't do that every week.

A ruckman must be drafted this year for the future or this kind of desperation will continue on forever.

thats exactly why he could be the x factor for the saints, really he's unknown hence x factor.

There is no X factor from someone who has broken down.
There will be no miracle recovery IMO

[ausfatcat]

isn't that what x factor is?????


something that can be anything??


could be nothing and could be something?

[St Igmata]

isn't that what x factor is?????


something that can be anything??


could be nothing and could be something?

The X factor means 'out of the ordinary' . Something that is unusual.
We can each have our own definiton.

[Dan Warna]

i wouldn't hold my breadth on gardiner.

IMO we have a strong team and if gardiner contributes on field in a quality way thats a positive.

[sasaint]

A ruckman must be drafted this year for the future or this kind of desperation will continue on forever.

My guess is that it is a greater than even bet that our first round draft selection will be a ruck. If not McEvoy then Bellchambers.

[Oh When the Saints]

St Kilda are almost certain to draft a ruckman with pick #42 or #58. We have shown considerable interest in Brent Connolley (202cm) from Gippsland, and he will be taken late in the draft.

#9 will not be used on a ruckman IMO.

[joffaboy]

Heard from a credible source that the op went Ok and his feet are fine.

However there may be some other issues not related to fitness.

Whatever we get from Gardiner this coming season will be a bonus - if we get anything.

[Oh When the Saints]

Info is very much appreciated joffaboy.