Gardiner

[CaR--]

Just wondering what people think of Gardiner wanting to play in the forward line next year? he's always been completely dominant in the ruck, it would seem obvious he should play there...but that would be assuming he returned to his 2003 form.
Do we think he is a possibility at CHF?
or is he likely to return to the ruck, considering the changes to ruck rules?

 

[CaR--]

hmm just realised this was sort of covered in the new ruck rules thread...would still appreciate anyones thoughts

 

[Altum Volantes]

Hi, welcome to bigfooty mate.

I think Gardy willl probably split his time between the forward line (around CHF) and the ruck, probably more in the ruck as it is hard to go past his class in that area.

With Cox clearly being capable as first ruck and Mark Seaby showing good signs in his first season, it should allow Gardy to be used more around the ground and up forward - which will help out the other talls too as you can have a 3rd tall defender minding Michael Gardiner.

 

[Mead]

Welcome!

I think Gardie has never been so much a ruckman as just a bloody good big man who would dominate whatever position he played- there's been times in the last few years where he's been used at CHF and done well. If we had kept Jason Ball, Gardiner may have ended up as a full time CHF from day one.

The only real question is how he comes back from the surgery- given his size and strength would already make him one of the more cumbersome CHFs going around, any further loss of mobility as a result of the knee injury would make it tough for him.

 

[andrew_embley]

Welcome!
If we had kept Jason Ball, Gardiner may have ended up as a full time CHF from day one.

And if we had still kept Jason Ball, TRENT CARROLL would still be our FB as we would have no Darren Glass.



just playing mate

 

[Bestbird]

And if we had still kept Jason Ball, TRENT CARROLL would still be our FB as we would have no Darren Glass.



just playing mate

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[CaR--]

I think Gardie has never been so much a ruckman as just a bloody good big man who would dominate whatever position he played-

an insanely good point...

 

[SYDNEY_EAGLE]

I think Gardiner has shown enough as a forward to justify his placement there full-time in 2005.

Didn't he kick 4 goals on one leg against Adelaide in our losing final in 2003?

A lot will depend on his mobility after a knee injury. Prior to the injury, what set Gardiner apart from other ruckmen was his athleticism. Apart from being a dominant jumping ruckman, he also had a rare ability to kick goals on the run and exploit slower ruckmen to find space in the forward line. If his mobility hasn't been excessivley diminished by injury, he will be an awesome player for us as a permanent CHF.

I'm sick of hearing critics of West Coast saying: "great midfield, but no KPP".

Hopefully a full season of Gardiner at CHF and some improvement from Lynch at CHB will have those pricks eating their words. With Gardiner as a virtual recruit, hopefully he can allow us to make the necessary improvements to crack a top 4 spot.

Bring on 2005 - top 4 all the way....

 

[Skooks]

If Gardiner does move into the ruck abit more will cox play as well in 2005 as he did in 2004???

 

[Bestbird]

I think Gardiner has shown enough as a forward to justify his placement there full-time in 2005.

Didn't he kick 4 goals on one leg against Adelaide in our losing final in 2003?

A lot will depend on his mobility after a knee injury. Prior to the injury, what set Gardiner apart from other ruckmen was his athleticism. Apart from being a dominant jumping ruckman, he also had a rare ability to kick goals on the run and exploit slower ruckmen to find space in the forward line. If his mobility hasn't been excessivley diminished by injury, he will be an awesome player for us as a permanent CHF.

I'm sick of hearing critics of West Coast saying: "great midfield, but no KPP".

Hopefully a full season of Gardiner at CHF and some improvement from Lynch at CHB will have those pricks eating their words. With Gardiner as a virtual recruit, hopefully he can allow us to make the necessary improvements to crack a top 4 spot.

Bring on 2005 - top 4 all the way....

Agree about the KPP

It should be how good they could be next year, thats how you hope Woosha and the players feel anyway.

Be great to sneek under the guard of a few clubs who have that belief about WC

 

[andrew_embley]

If Gardiner does move into the ruck abit more will cox play as well in 2005 as he did in 2004???

LOL...LOL.....hehehe...this doesn't have anything to do with you taking him with your 2nd overall pick does it mate?

Don't worry , you made a good selection!