cats2rise
#63 - Mount Buller Demons
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Gardiner set to blossom
3:06:22 PM Thu 5 January, 2006
Jason Phelan
Exclusive to afl.com.au
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.
Well Charlie, at least you know that!
3:06:22 PM Thu 5 January, 2006
Jason Phelan
Exclusive to afl.com.au
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.
Well Charlie, at least you know that!