Delisted 20. Ryan Gardner (2016 - 2018)

[dazbroncos]

Ryan Gardner from tas.

 

[Turbocat]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-...an-gardner-attracting-interest-ahead-of-draft

CLOSING speed and height are difficult characteristics to find in draft prospects so that is why Tasmania defender Ryan Gardner has attracted plenty of interest from clubs.

Gardner has emerged as a potential draftee after impressing across half-back for the Allies team in the Grand Final day curtain-raiser against the NAB AFL Academy.

It follows an injury-interrupted year for the Burnie Dockers product who developed a stress fracture in his foot that sidelined him for the first half of this season.

That he clocked a 2.96-second 20m sprint at last month's combine adds to his appeal for prospective AFL clubs.

It is understood St Kilda is among the clubs which have shown interest in the 18-year-old.

"Key defenders don't grow on trees and with the speed he's shown, he's certainly come into calculations as the year's gone on," Tasmanian state academy coach Adam Sanders told AFL.com.au.

"Most clubs have got him on the radar, it just depends where he sits.

"He's behind (Jacob) Weitering and (Kieran) Collins, but late in the draft clubs will be looking for players they need and most clubs could do with another key defender."

If Gardner does not get a look in in the upcoming national or rookie drafts, AFL Tasmania have already committed to keeping him in their program as an overage player in 2016

 

[sarah.13]

Impressive stats on AFL website!

 

[Whit3y]

who is gonna be the first person to claim him as "my man", daniel mcl im looking at you

 

[nowhereneargeelong]

Foot stress fracture.

Excellent.... He'll slot in nicely.

 

[hamG]

Can't be a true Geelong tall without a stress fracture in the foot.

Looks like a hail mary at an athlete. Is Hamling still available?

 

[Frappe]

Did this get a mention on Fox? I saw Menegola get commented on??

 

[BUSTER29]

Stress fracture in foot.
He will fit right in.

 

[Will_I_Am]

Welcome aboard

 

[Turbocat]

Stress fracture in the first half of the year.....
a 2.96 20M sprint forma 196cm player... at the combine..obvious after the injury... sounds a good gamble to me.

 

[Jeff76]

Sounds alright

 

[jaykay72]

That's 2 years in a row we've drafted someone with our first pick who played for the Allies on GF day.

 

[Matthew Jelley]

Good investment to deepen the defensive stocks

 

[ButterMill]

From one picture he looks a superstar.

I'm going early but full back is done for next fifteen.

 

[GHS33]

Interesting to see he played a TAC game against the Bushrangers and got in the best players. Schache was playing for the Bushrangers that day and only kicked three - not sure if Gardner was on him but it would seem likely.

 

[evolutionbaby]

From one picture he looks a superstar.

I'm going early but full back is done for next fifteen.

Love your enthusiasm, but Kolo might have something to say about that.

 

[ChookNorris]

Only pick that im pleased with. Rest are punts, which is totally fine, cant have the world. I have good feelings. Hes like a giant, less great corey gregson in my eyes.

 

[son of meto]

Good, needed another tallish defender to develop over next two-three years. Burnie Dockers are a tough bunch. Their ground is basically in Bass Straight next to the old steel works and mate it's cold and hard during winter there.

 

[pussygalore]

Any footage of this bloke?
I'm keen to see why he was taken before Jesse Glass-McCasker.

 

[Turbocat]

That's 2 years in a row we've drafted someone with our first pick who played for the Allies on GF day.

ahhh Buzza played as well...

 

[JUBJUB]

It follows an injury-interrupted year for the Burnie Dockers product who developed a stress fracture in his foot that sidelined him for the first half of this season.

 

[pilkos_cats]

We just drafted Tom Lonergans replacement! Give him a few years to develop & will be a gun, he played in a seniors premiership as a 15 year old for Redpa in Tassie before joining Burnie and playing state league.

 

[Cezz The Catter]

We just drafted Tom Lonergans replacement! Give him a few years to develop & will be a gun, he played in a seniors premiership as a 15 year old for Redpa in Tassie before joining Burnie and playing state league.

We traded for lonergans replacement. We just drafted Taylors

Im happy with this.

 

[Turbocat]

We just drafted Tom Lonergans replacement! Give him a few years to develop & will be a gun, he played in a seniors premiership as a 15 year old for Redpa in Tassie before joining Burnie and playing state league.

But he sound more Taylor than Lonergan. Marking Kicking?....

 

[GHS33]

He played on Chris Tarrant in Rd 2 of the TSL and kept him to two goals - not bad for a 17 year old.