Senior Darcy Gardiner (2013-)

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Reserves Wrap: V Redland

Solid, probably not as good as last week. Certainly looking to work a lot more offensively which is good. He was strong in the contest, but he gave away a 50. The offensive game from our defenders wasn’t as solid in this game as it was in the previous. There were a couple of positional things from Dizzy around stoppage. With his performance it puts him in contention for round 1 against West Coast as a defender. Another option for Mitch Hahn and the senior group.
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Lions defender Darcy Gardiner has received the all clear from scans on his elbow and should face the Dogs while skipper Tom Rockliff is expected to return from a calf injury.

Gardiner, who shut down dangerous Suns forward Jack Martin on Saturday, was fined $1000 for rough conduct against Sun Aaron Hall.
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Lions got ahead of themselves

THE Brisbane Lions are copping coach Justin Leppitsch’s stinging criticism that they got ahead of themselves after their first AFL victory of the season, squarely on the chin. Defender Darcy Gardiner conceded the Lions might have let their Q-Clash boilover a fortnight ago get to their heads, resulting in a 53-point belting at the hands of the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

“It was our first win, everyone was quite happy — as you are with your first win of the season,” Gardiner said on Tuesday. “I guess our preparation probably wasn’t as good leading into the Bulldogs game as the Gold Coast game was. “That’s a big focus this week for the team to make sure they’re on top of it - don’t get ahead of ourselves, if we win or lose. We’ve just got to get back to what was working for us.”

Gardiner admitted there is more than a sense of deja vu about Brisbane’s season to date. “Over the last couple of seasons, it’s been happening, but we’re looking to change that and fix what went wrong last week,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of challenges early in the season so if we can stay positive and build through them, we’ve got plenty to look forward to.”
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Amazing that this is even possible given the club's form over the past 5 odd seasons.
 
2016 Club Champion Wrap

Darcy Gardiner took out the Shaun Hart Most Competitive Player Award in his third year at the Club, and after playing on some of the game's best defenders in 2016.
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dlanod said:
Good on Dizzy, for shutting down those defenders. :p
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If only he'd spent more time shutting down forwards...sigh....

Had a good season though the kid - love his competitive nature. Hope it can rub off on a few teammates.
 
Player Reviews: No. 26 - 30

Darcy Gardiner came into 2016 strong-willed and determined to impress after a challenging 2015 saw him sidelined for the most part after undergoing ankle and shoulder reconstructions. The 20-year-old defender impressed throughout the year despite injury setbacks which saw him sidelined for three games after Round 8 against Collingwood. The 191cm tall earned a reputation as a ‘competitive beast’ at junior level, an attitude which has followed him till now as he took home the 2016 Shaun Hart award for Most Competitive Player at the Club Champion night.

Coach’s notes:

Darcy had his best year to date at the football club, he finished in the top 10 in the B & F. He played on some of the better forwards in the comp, the Eddie Betts’ of the world and Mark LeCras from West Coast to name a couple. Got the job done week in week out and was awarded the most competitive player for season 2016.
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dgardinerrev2016.jpg
 
Talented list spurs key Lion to re-sign

SIGNING a deal took a bit longer than expected, but rugged Brisbane Lions defender Darcy Gardiner says he never contemplated leaving the club.

Negotiations to extend his three-year stay in Brisbane began early last season but were only finalised during the final week of the NAB AFL Trade Period.

Speaking for the first time since re-signing, Gardiner told AFL.com.au despite the lack of success in his early years, it was an easy decision to stay on.

"It took its time, but it always does, it's always a long process for most blokes and I got there in the end and am very happy with the outcome," Gardiner said.

"There was never any talk about it not getting done. I was always comfortable."

The Lions had a horrid 2016, finishing second last and sacking coach Justin Leppitsch, but Gardiner said the young core of players were extremely tight knit.

He said the talent on their list drew him to return.

Although less than two weeks into the tenure of new coach Chris Fagan, Gardiner said there was already a different feel around pre-season training.

"Sometimes you get back into it and guys go through the motions, but everyone's been excited," he said.

"Chris is a very laid back, very easy-going bloke. He's got a very good reputation and has come from a very successful club.

"He's brought a good message across about continual improvement and backing ourselves in and not worrying about mistakes and we'll get better from there.

"It's good to see the older blokes who aren't due back for another couple of weeks, pop in every now and then, and drive that leadership to help us."

Gardiner has played 43 games over his three years and often played with injury, but is healthy and says he is ready to do a full pre-season.
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