Charlie Gardiner Article

chapmanmagic35

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Charlie Gardiner is nothing if not a realist. He knows 2006 is a make or break year for him, but rather than skirting around the issue, he's embracing it.

Gardiner has played 44 games since being drafted by the Cats with pick 23 in the 2001 NAB AFL National Draft and is yet to claim a permanent spot in the starting 22. He turns 23 as he enters his fifth AFL season and knows the time has come for him to make his mark.

"I'm not really feeling the pressure - it's more exciting than anything actually," Gardiner says.

"It's the first time really that I've had a pre-season where I'm going to be able to take a real run at the season. I'm feeling really fit and I'm pretty confident in what I can do - I'm just looking forward to getting out there and doing my thing.

"Hopefully it's going to be a big year and I'd really like to cement a spot in the side. So far I've been in and out of the side for periods of time. I'd like to become a permanent fixture and be someone who can be relied on to contribute to the side regularly.

"It's definitely a big year for me, but so far it's going well and hopefully it continues that way."

A shoulder reconstruction hindered his last pre-season, but he's had a clear run so far this time around.

"I wasn't match fit going into the start of the season which was a problem," he says.

"I needed time to work on my strength, but couldn't because of my rehab, so this pre-season I've been able to make a few improvements in that area - hopefully that bodes well for the coming season."

So where does he think he plays his best football?

"I don't think I'm quite big enough or strong enough to play full forward or centre half-forward," he says.

"But I enjoy playing on a half-forward flank and occasionally getting up the ground a bit and getting behind the ball - I think a flank is where I'm most suited.

"It's a pretty exciting forward line when all the boys are fit. There are a lot of guys who can play through there and it's going to be hard getting a spot, but hopefully I'll be there come the start of the season."

Gardiner continues to study law part-time and is grateful for the respite it offers him from the often high-pressure world of AFL.

"I do two subjects a semester which works out to about seven or eight hours a week which fits my footy timetable pretty well," he says.

"Bomber's pretty keen on the boys studying and he's quite accommodating in terms of exams and assignments - I'm pretty lucky in that respect. It's good because it does give you a bit of a release from football."

Football is always the main focus, however. Gardiner is under no illusions as to what the coach requires of him this year and feels he is ready to deliver.

"He's shown a lot of faith in me, but he just wants a bit more of a consistent performance, for me to be able to deliver week-in, week-out and to not be so up and down in my contribution to the side," he says.
 

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Unwritten_Law

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#6
"I needed time to work on my strength"

"I don't think I'm quite big enough or strong enough to play full forward or centre half-forward,"

Contradiction and wrong priorities, it didn't work for Goddard it won't work for you Charlie.
 

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CharlieG said:
"I don't think I'm quite big enough or strong enough to play full forward or centre half-forward," he says.

"But I enjoy playing on a half-forward flank and occasionally getting up the ground a bit and getting behind the ball - I think a flank is where I'm most suited.

"It's a pretty exciting forward line when all the boys are fit. There are a lot of guys who can play through there and it's going to be hard getting a spot, but hopefully I'll be there come the start of the season."
I tend to agree that we are starting to acumulate some forward talent but unfortuately for CG the two position he feels hes not suited for is probably the two most open positions, if the proverbal "potential champ" were to show themselves.(like Nathan) From what Ive seen , I dont think he has enough magic to cement his position as a flanker. Have to have Dog Johnson in the side on one flank, he can do it on the ground and in the air and create with a less than 50/50 ball. That means a lot of competition for the other one. Good Luck Charlie
 
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#9
He will become a good player, all he needs to do is work on hes kicking it really lets him down. The enthusiasm is there, he can mark and hes not a selfish player, he just needs to improve hes kicking
 
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#10
I love the comparison to Goddard, I reckon they are both so similar.

Players like Gardiner are the difference between us and a Flag. Why, not because he is a champion or any of that crap. Because that second string needs to stand up when their time comes. I fully expect Charlie to stand up and prove some of his knockers on this board and in the club WRONG.
 

chapmanmagic35

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Turbocat said:
I tend to agree that we are starting to acumulate some forward talent but unfortuately for CG the two position he feels hes not suited for is probably the two most open positions, if the proverbal "potential champ" were to show themselves.(like Nathan) From what Ive seen , I dont think he has enough magic to cement his position as a flanker. Have to have Dog Johnson in the side on one flank, he can do it on the ground and in the air and create with a less than 50/50 ball. That means a lot of competition for the other one. Good Luck Charlie
Yeah, watch out for a big 2006.

If he fires, he will be an AA half-forward flanker and is the kind of player who could win us a premiership.
 

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#12
Hes much more capable than Playfair, he like you've said just needs to stand up, and it will happen.... soon. He'll come good and though he wont be one of the best CHF's/HF's in the comp, he'll be a very handy player to have there.
But he will have to work hard because once Nathan Ablett is fully developed as a FF, chances are that Ottens will move to CHF so in order to maintain a spot in the Half forward line he will have to perform very well consistantly, and take every opportunity given to him.... and improve he's kicking
 
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From http://gfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=242026:

Gardiner updates 'to do' list
4:37:18 PM Fri 6 January, 2006
Jason Phelan
Exclusive to gfc.com.au
With 2006 looming as a make-or-break season, Geelong forward Charlie Gardiner believes he has identified the aspects of his game that must improve if he is to become a permanent fixture in the Geelong line-up.

Top of the list is goal-scoring. The 190-centimetre forward returned just 5.6 from 14 games last season and he knows he must do better to establish himself.

"My set-shot conversion has been a bit ordinary. Last year was pretty miserable for me in front of goal, but I'm working on my set-shot routine. Hopefully I'll get that down pat and I'll be confident in it come the NAB Cup," Gardiner said.


"We have set-shot sessions with Ken Hinkley. He does a lot of work with the forwards on set shots. So far it's been really good, but it's hard to manufacture game conditions at training."

Gardiner said he's looking forward to grabbing his first decent bag of four or five goals or more and believes the confidence that would flow from that will serve him well.

"I've got to get on the scoreboard a bit more - I didn't convert very well last year - to score more heavily would be nice," he said.

While it's important to convert effectively, Gardiner understands that the more contests he can get to and the more effective leads he can make, the more scoring chances he'll get. That's where general fitness comes in.

"I think my endurance was my biggest problem last year. I just didn't think I was able to work over my opponent enough but hopefully with a better fitness base this year, I'll be able to do that a bit more," he said.

"My fitness levels are very important; just to be able to work that little bit harder to get forward and get on the end of a few."
A lot of talk from Chuck. Hope he realises that actions speak louder than words.
 
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#14
All Australian ? I think he is still a fair way off our best 22 unless he gets his act together. He's a typical mid-size player.....too short for key position (about 190cm I think) and propably not fast enough across the ground to play further upfield in my opinion.

Disposal not solid enough in midfield or backline and I can't see him slotting into a forward set up that boasts s.johnson - g.ablett - k.kingsley - p.chapman - b.ottens - n.ablett - and resting on ballers such as kelly / bartel etc. As was the case last year / injuries will be his best shot.
 

JUBJUB

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#15
Prodigal Sons said:
I can't see him slotting into a forward set up that boasts s.johnson - g.ablett - k.kingsley - p.chapman - b.ottens - n.ablett - and resting on ballers such as kelly / bartel etc. As was the case last year / injuries will be his best shot.
Hopefully he's not carried this year.If he's stuggling,DROP HIM !!!.
 

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Prodigal Sons said:
All Australian ? I think he is still a fair way off our best 22 unless he gets his act together. He's a typical mid-size player.....too short for key position (about 190cm I think) and propably not fast enough across the ground to play further upfield in my opinion.

Disposal not solid enough in midfield or backline and I can't see him slotting into a forward set up that boasts s.johnson - g.ablett - k.kingsley - p.chapman - b.ottens - n.ablett - and resting on ballers such as kelly / bartel etc. As was the case last year / injuries will be his best shot.
I think you will find the AA was in reference to a fit Dog Johnson not Charlie the Gardiner
 

chapmanmagic35

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Prodigal Sons said:
All Australian ? I think he is still a fair way off our best 22 unless he gets his act together. He's a typical mid-size player.....too short for key position (about 190cm I think) and propably not fast enough across the ground to play further upfield in my opinion.

Disposal not solid enough in midfield or backline and I can't see him slotting into a forward set up that boasts s.johnson - g.ablett - k.kingsley - p.chapman - b.ottens - n.ablett - and resting on ballers such as kelly / bartel etc. As was the case last year / injuries will be his best shot.
I was referring to Steve Johnson as TurboCat said. You missed the part where I highlighted his name.
 
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