Gardiner A Saint

[NWTYRX]

Signed a 1 year deal. Confirmed by SEN.

What the Eagles get, has not been finalised.

 

[divvydan]

From AFL Draft tracker:
Michael S. Gardiner
West Coast Eagles

St Kilda
Traded, with draft selection no. 59, for draft selection no. 43

I posted this here as i also find it funny that pick 59 went from Saints->Dogs->Eagles->Saints.

 

[The Punter]

In the end, we have got Birss & Gardiner for pick 43. Nice work, I reckon.

According to the Age, the Eagles are also likely to pay some of his salary. That was the item of conjecture earlier in the day when this deal was reported to have fallen through.

 

[Ritchie8]

****in bull****! Why would we want that ****in drug addict on our team? FFS I can't believe we got him! I wouldn't pay 2 cents for him.

 

[Fehring]

****in bull****! Why would we want that ****in drug addict on our team? FFS I can't believe we got him! I wouldn't pay 2 cents for him.

That's two cents more than I'd pay for Ackland and Blake combined. So it looks like we're in front!

 

[SpInNeR]

Just keep him OUT of our forward line.

 

[Fryman]

I looked up Gardiner's stats for his season in the WAFL this year. They weren't too shabby. He only played 10 games but averaged 14 touches, 20 hitouts and a couple of goals a game.

I know that WAFL is light years from AFL but I'm happy to give him a chance at Moorabbin. People have to remember he's only signed for one year and wouldn't be on massive money. I'm glad we rolled the dice on him.

 

[johnnyhoward]

We got a good deal, giving up not much for a couple of handy players. Gardiner is nowhere near the player he was 3 years ago, but he was starting to improve in the middle of this season with the Eagles before he had a customary brain melt.

Gardiner is a Grade A ****wit, but he's the best ruckman we can get for now, so let's hope he changes his ways.

 

[Gilbert_Hodge]

He was only signed for 1 year so it will just be a quick fix untill a better, more descipline ruckman can be found. With that said, he might have a stella year next year and keep out of trouble. Who knows?

 

[johnnyhoward]

He was only signed for 1 year so it will just be a quick fix untill a better, more descipline ruckman can be found. With that said, he might have a stella year next year and keep out of trouble. Who knows?

I'm certainly not counting on it. There's more for him to do in Melbourne than Perth.

 

[travo420]

he has basically cost you nothing, whats there to whing about. it about time saints picked up a "troubled" player rather than letting them go i.e. lockett, everitt, hall, winmar.
All you have to do is tell him that he could have played in a winning GF team this year, and that if flies stright stays out of the night clubs he could be part of a GF in the near future. The saints hierachy need to keep him on a very short leash , as the melb media will be watching his every move ready to jump on any F-ups. and tell him any discrections will cost him his contract,

 

[scottydeewah]

Agree with the post above somewhat. I cant really see anything but potential good coming from this trade. He was cheap, he has a 1 year contract, he could get back and play a couple of very good seasons. I think the saints are ready as well to take on a troubled star and convert them.

Well done and good luck with him. Geez it could be huge to have Kosi out of the ruck and a quality player in there.

 

[bubblegoose]

Geez it could be huge to have Kosi out of the ruck and a quality player in there.

Agreed

 

[Ktbear]

I'm certainly not counting on it. There's more for him to do in Melbourne than Perth.

Yes but in Melbourne he will be a small fish in a big pond whereas in Perth he was treated like a God.

 

[swanfan]

Just keep him OUT of our forward line.

and the car park.

 

[QL 21]

Good to see Gardiner be given another go.

 

[- PC -]

Who knows what you will get. What you will get is a player who knows his future is on the line, you have a player who will be in a different environment and you have a player who will be back to number 1 status

The last bit can be the most ego lifting and therefore performance lifting aspect of this deal. When did Gardiner struggle off field? When Cox got big and MG was relegated to 2nd string

I heard a close friend of Gardiners father say something I thought was valid.
'' when Michael is fit and firing and training and playing football he is good as gold, its when he gets injured and has time on his hands that the troubles start''

I have to agree with that assessment..keep him busy boys and you will have a winner

 

[West Coast Fan 123]

In the end, we have got Birss & Gardiner for pick 43. Nice work, I reckon.

According to the Age, the Eagles are also likely to pay some of his salary. That was the item of conjecture earlier in the day when this deal was reported to have fallen through.

Doubt it, considering his contract with us was over at the end of this year..

 

[sainter]

As Otis said I wouldn't think the Eagles were contributing to his salary in any way. Being on a cheap deal it wouldn't matter. The ball is well and truly in his court. He's got a real opportunity and if he can deliver he'll get a long term deal and hopefully the chance to emulate his former teammates in winning a premiership.

 

[peterss]

All the best with Gardy.

He still has alot to offer on the Footy field its just a amtter of whether he can sort his off field problems out and now that he is in Melbourne the change of scenery might be just what he needed to get his career back on track.

 

[iDon]

Coming from a family of Saints supporters I think it was a good decision. My mum, sister and older brother agree but my Old man (who hasnt missed a grand-final that the Saints have been involved in i think) believes that he brings too much off-field trouble to the club. I hope this is not the case and he can give the Saints the much needed boost in their ruck department.

-Mav

 

[Kildonan]

So what happened Mav?

Why are you not a Saint like the good people in your family?

There is still time. Repent. Sheedy is not second coming. He is a false God.

Grab all your Essendon paraphanalia, place a distinct white stripe through the incomplete colours that you have.
You will be accepted into the fold.

There are many benefits! Your cause will be just ...and you will be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Lyon Kingdom.

Go now. Sainthood awaits.

 

[stripes57]

I'm not fussed about the off-field stuff but just have this sinking feeling he'll hurt his knee again in round five or something and be no use at all.

But I guess he didn't cost much, so the risk factor's not too big.

Bet the same thing happens with Aka at the Bulldogs, too.

 

[carlyp]

I just thought Id post something for you guys on the news that Gardi will be a saint next year.

I know he hasnt been the best behaved bloke around in the past but all I can say is: Give the boy a go, there is alot of upside to him and I am confident that he will do well for you guys in 2007. The good thing about his early finish to the season is that his ready to go for preseason now and should be able to have a solid one with you guys.

The other thing I think he'll do is teach alot of your younger blokes the art of ruckwork and perhaps some of his tougness (hardness at the ball, good old fashioned mongrel etc) will rub off on them in a positive way.

Enjoy him for all he brings to your club and team and please know that this little Eagle now has room for the Saints in her heart.

Goodluck in 2007.

 

[Fehring]

Coming from a family of Saints supporters I think it was a good decision. My mum, sister and older brother agree but my Old man (who hasnt missed a grand-final that the Saints have been involved in i think) believes that he brings too much off-field trouble to the club. I hope this is not the case and he can give the Saints the much needed boost in their ruck department.

-Mav

Your dad was at the 1913 GF?