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Charlie gardiner

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siamang

siamang

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I thought he played very well against the bombers tonight, and was consistent throughout the nab cup too. So, was he really that rubbish for you guys last season? Just curious because from what i've seen so far he hasn't put a foot wrong for us.
 
He wasn't rubbish last year, he was fantastic in the VFL but he's had many opportunities and never held his spot. Still wouldn't make the team, Gamble who would be a similar sort of player is already a better asset.
 
siamang said:
I thought he played very well against the bombers tonight, and was consistent throughout the nab cup too. So, was he really that rubbish for you guys last season? Just curious because from what i've seen so far he hasn't put a foot wrong for us.
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He just wasn't effective enough. He will do well for St Kilda though and is a major upgrade over Gherig. But you remember that kick he sprayed out of bounds from 40 metres out directly in front and no one within cooee? That's the reason. Yeah you can say "it's just one kick" but he did it too bloody often for someone who played as a forward you'll just have to take our word on that one. Also did not help that SJ played a blinder and other guys like Chapman, Stokes, Selwood and Kelly occupied/rotated through our half forward line last year.
 
Yeah was just curious as i didn't really get to watch that many geelong games last year. The fact that he couldn't hold up a spot just seemed surprising, but your team is just that good i suppose! Anyway i agree that he is handy replacement for gehrig, who doesn't feel like putting effort in at the moment.
 

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Charlie's the sort of player who never really found his identity at AFL level for us.

Too small to be a CHF but too large to be fast or agile enough, to be honest.
 
Too small to be a CHF but too large to be fast or agile enough, to be honest.
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- To me that is exactly it. He was much maligned on this board and I for one thought the criticism was too harsh.

His problem is he played a lot in a forward line with Kent K, Henry Playfair, Mooney when he was all over the shop, etc. Because of this he pinch hit through CHF, FF, HF but never really found a niche. Kent, Playfair and Mooney from two years back were all much worse players and Charlie outplayed all of them most of the time. Once we got a proper CHF/FF combo he could have moved to a flank but was overtaken by players who are more versatile (chapman, kelly, sj, etc).

You will hear a lot about how he is the worst bloke to walk the earth (besides byrnes) but in reality he is an average C grade AFL player.
 
His let down was and still is his shots at goal
We now have players in our team that can finish off with a goal, Charlie would never make todays team, like someone said before he has gone with the likes Kingsley,Playfair and Macarthy all are handy VFL players but will let you down in the big gamewith the lack of polish.
 
Good luck to him. Good to see him getting further AFL opportunities
 
RoyalCatFan said:
Was it just me or has he slimmed down a bit?
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no, he hasn't according to the stats. just the change of direction in the stripes is more slimming. Thing to remember about Gardiner was that when playing for Geelong, he was unable to make snap decisions. Had to think, rethink, second-guess that second thought, etc. Would not have been able to hold a spot in the "play on at all costs" gameplan.
 

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A good thing about Gardiner is he never gives up.

He's a decent lead and mark too. I think he will go alright at the Saints, provided he is coached well.
 
I think Charlie will be a very good get for the saints and I hope he becomes a 100 game player for you guys. He tried his guts out at Geelong and had a lot of opportunities but just couldn't quite get there quick enough.

He really was a class above in the VFL last year but that was too late and he became a victim of circumstances. Mooney & S.J were on fire and there was an emphasis on the development of N.Ablett & Hawkins. Anyone who saw him last year in the VFL saw he was clearly AFL level but there was simply no room for him.

I think he will be a good player for you guys and really should have been playing from round one on his preseason form. Similar situation to King. Clearly an AFL level ruckmen but with an emphasis on developing Blake and West there was no room.
 
Honestly!!! Last year I thought that Charlie was only slightly ahead of Grima who was considerably younger and had not played an AFL game.

He is a good seconds player at a good club and not much else.

It seems that Charlie's fame increases in proportion to the amount of time that he has spent away from the GFC.
 

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