Michael Gardiner

[saintbob]

I'm happy that Michael Gardiner is finally starting to deliver, his last 4 weeks have been very good.
His ruck work especailly to Hayes and Ball has been first rate.
Can't understand why when Kingy's in the side, Gardiner nearly always starts on the bench.
Only negative is that awful kicking action when he's on the run.

[yipper]

Been a good player for us - especially over the past 4 weeks. His ruckwork is very good - and he is roaming around the ground much easier now. Reckon he took it right up to the Doggies on the weekend - and did all he could to get us going.

[Eastern]

Not only has he been pretty good, but he appears to be improving every time he steps out. I have my fingers crossed that he can get back to his AA form !!

[Red]

Ruckwork isn't bad but he needs to do more around the ground.

Against some sides the ruckman is an extra midfielder.

[saintsRrising]

Can't understand why when Kingy's in the side, Gardiner nearly always starts on the bench.
.

I think that now his fitness is to a higher standard that he will get more TOG even when King is in the side too.....with Gardi becoming the No 1 ruck and King the No 2.


Gardi is better around the ground...so in say 6 weeks if both are fit I would imagine that Gardi's TOG will bea fair bit greater than Kings as Gardi will be used more around the ground.

[rodgerfox]

Now that we have a ruckman, why aren't we winning games?

We're getting plenty of 'hitouts to advantage' but are getting brained every week.

I don't get it.

[vacuous space]

Gardi is better around the ground...

I disagree with that entirely. Gardiner's disposal was woeful on the weekend. King's ball skills are much more reliable. IMO, if King can get his body right then he's clearly our number one ruck. King's best has been a lot better than Gardiner's best.

[saintsrus]

Now that we have a ruckman, why aren't we winning games?

We're getting plenty of 'hitouts to advantage' but are getting brained every week.

I don't get it.

The old golfing saying

Your Drive for show, putt for dough!

[Armoooo]

Gardi is better around the ground...

I disagree with that entirely. Gardiner's disposal was woeful on the weekend. King's ball skills are much more reliable. IMO, if King can get his body right then he's clearly our number one ruck. King's best has been a lot better than Gardiner's best.

I disagree, Gardiner used to be an absolute freak a few years back, while he may never reach that form again we can always hope

[bergsone]

Gardi is better around the ground...

I disagree with that entirely. Gardiner's disposal was woeful on the weekend. King's ball skills are much more reliable. IMO, if King can get his body right then he's clearly our number one ruck. King's best has been a lot better than Gardiner's best.

I disagree, Gardiner used to be an absolute freak a few years back, while he may never reach that form again we can always hope

Agree with you armoo

[SENsei]

Now that we have a ruckman, why aren't we winning games?

We're getting plenty of 'hitouts to advantage' but are getting brained every week.

I don't get it.

You get it. We all get it.

Three little words.

NOT. GOOD. ENOUGH.


Simple fact is, we've topped up when we should've stuck to the plan. If ever there is a warning that is it.

[saintsRrising]

Now that we have a ruckman, why aren't we winning games?

We're getting plenty of 'hitouts to advantage' but are getting brained every week.

I don't get it.

Not surprising.

We stuffed up our recruiting for years....and so we are competing with handful of players in the midfield when our major opponents are running say ten capable players through.

Schneider at present for pick 26 would look to be adding to those sad sad years.

All those young quick mids......are not there...our former depth in the midfield has retired.....and there is big age gap for Armo and Steven to come through. Howard would look to be yet another JB smokie that was not researched through well enough....he may come good but was not worth his price.


Over the last 3 years are midfield grou has shrunk in numbers...other good teams have pumped theirs upto 10 players.


We need to improve our midfield group....and not get rid of King and Gardiner.

[rodgerfox]

Now that we have a ruckman, why aren't we winning games?

We're getting plenty of 'hitouts to advantage' but are getting brained every week.

I don't get it.

Not surprising.

We stuffed up our recruiting for years....and so we are competing with handful of players in the midfield when our major opponents are running say ten capable players through.

Schneider at present for pick 26 would look to be adding to those sad sad years.

All those young quick mids......are not there...our former depth in the midfield has retired.....and there is big age gap for Armo and Steven to come through. Howard would look to be yet another JB smokie that was not researched through well enough....he may come good but was not worth his price.


Over the last 3 years are midfield grou has shrunk in numbers...other good teams have pumped theirs upto 10 players.


We need to improve our midfield group....and not get rid of King and Gardiner.

Who have we lost from the midfield group?

Thompson? Powell?

[Ralphy]

thompson,
powell
burke
guerra...

[mad saint guy]

thompson,
powell
burke
guerra...

Burke hasn't played for 5 years and Guerra never has been and never will be a midfielder.

It's not the players we've lost that are hurting us (except for maybe Black), it's the ones we haven't gained. If we could throw in a group like Foley, Pearce and Houli (all available to us with several picks) then there would be no problem with our midfield. And I'm sure if we had those three and were still using Kosi and Blake as ruckmen they would still be dominating clearances.

[vacuous space]

King's best has been a lot better than Gardiner's best.

I disagree, Gardiner used to be an absolute freak a few years back, while he may never reach that form again we can always hope

King's best this year has been better than Gardiner's best this year. As to which one was the better ruckman in the distant past, I'll leave that to others to decide.

[saintsRrising]

thompson,
powell
burke
guerra...

Burke hasn't played for 5 years and Guerra never has been and never will be a midfielder.

It's not the players we've lost that are hurting us (except for maybe Black), it's the ones we haven't gained. If we could throw in a group like Foley, Pearce and Houli (all available to us with several picks) then there would be no problem with our midfield. And I'm sure if we had those three and were still using Kosi and Blake as ruckmen they would still be dominating clearances.

Exactly MSG....but they would do even better with King and gardi...than Kosi and Blake in the ruck.

[saintsRrising]

King's best this year has been better than Gardiner's best this year. .

Well it is a nice problem to have...

[saintsRrising]

Thompson? Powell?

Don't forget Frankie Peckett....who the later part of his career was a fantastic runner and outside midfielder.

Go back 4 years and you also had Black...who also played HB...(and Black, Jones and frankie gave you lots of run...)

Thompson and Powell good hard at hard working mids...Frankie on the outside..

[St.Kenny]

This guy put on one of the most woeful performances I have seen by a ruckman in recent times last game. Kicked like an 'Auskicker' ,rucked and ran around the ground like a maimed giraffe. All huff and puff, no fire!

[The Doc]

This guy put on one of the most woeful performances I have seen by a ruckman in recent times last game. Kicked like an 'Auskicker' ,rucked and ran around the ground like a maimed giraffe. All huff and puff, no fire!

He's obviously not ready to play first ruck just yet, but does OK as second fiddle to King. He probably had to up his game time after Kosi hurt his knee (I know Blake was in there for a couple of bounces and contests around the ground, but no doubt less than what Kosi would have been).

I do remember his kicking being a whole lot more penetrating in the Who Cares Cup final, but that again may be a fatigue issue, as per above.

Give him time. Give him King.

[Saints Premiers 2008]

Thompson? Powell?

Don't forget Frankie Peckett....who the later part of his career was a fantastic runner and outside midfielder.

Go back 4 years and you also had Black...who also played HB...(and Black, Jones and frankie gave you lots of run...)

Thompson and Powell good hard at hard working mids...Frankie on the outside..

frankie was overrated on this forum big time and since his retirement this has grown

he never a mid...had average disposal and had poor awareness....

[Saints Premiers 2008]

Thompson? Powell?

Don't forget Frankie Peckett....who the later part of his career was a fantastic runner and outside midfielder.

Go back 4 years and you also had Black...who also played HB...(and Black, Jones and frankie gave you lots of run...)

Thompson and Powell good hard at hard working mids...Frankie on the outside..

frankie was overrated on this forum big time and since his retirement this has grown

he never a mid...had average disposal and had poor awareness....

[Otiman]

frankie was overrated on this forum big time and since his retirement this has grown

he never a mid...had average disposal and had poor awareness....

Frankie was the best in the business at being able to find space on the wing. Was slow and had poor skills, but his awareness was second to none.