Gardiner

[The Hitman]

Will he or won't he play? This could be the decisive question that sees the game in the favour of Hawthorn or West Coast.

I've heard he won't, but could anyone out west tell me what's going on?

Rehn will still be out, and Thompson probably won't return. I think Robert Campbell could hold Cox, but if it is Gardiner and Cox, we could be in deep trouble.

Anyway, good luck, should be a close and good game which could go either way.

The Hitman

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

He should play. He was apparently 50/50 last week, so he should be very likely this week.

 

[mentalgrind]

Apparently the coaching staff are confident that he will play.

 

[jod23]

I think he'll play which will swing the game in our favour hopefully. Crawford v Cousins will be crucial too.

 

[GoEagles]

Apparently he was unlucky to miss last week (but still did running and skills drills on Friday at Kitchner Park) so he should be a definate starter for Sunday.

 

[noodle]

gardiner is a grade A player for our team. i believe that his absence agaist richmond hurt us more than the loss of roo.

it would be a huge advantage for us against the hawks. one thing for sure, he will be included in the team line up come thursday.

 

[MDB]

Just a note - Braun will play on Crawford.

 

[Frodo]

IMO the ganger man is Chick. We have had problems with smaller type forwards, Campbell crucified us last week, and Chick is powerful. What we really need is Woosha out there to put these guys in their place but we really don't have anyone with the bulk and strength to combat them. Jones is too slightly built. Banners would do if he was fit and had undergone a good weights regime preseason.

 

[carlyp]

Yeah Im worried about him too. And to think he could have been wearing an eagles guernsey!

 

[TheRealBuzz]

Originally posted by MDB
Just a note - Braun will play on Crawford.

That's a good matchup. Brauny plays very accountable footy, yet can still hurt Crawford going the other way. Chad Fletcher would probably be second in line?

Chick hasn't been in great form, but I agree Frodo, he's a real danger. Collica would be my first choice, with Glass coming back in the side and taking Dixon.

 

[Thrawn666]

I thought Cousins would be matched with Crawford, as that is what has seemed to have happened nearly every time and both have racked up plenty of possessions.

 

[MDB]

Braun will be played on Crawford because they want to controll his influence on the match - If Cousins plays on Crawford, Crawford will not receive the attention he needs as Cousins is not a very defensive player.

 

[iceman]

On the news it said that Gardiner is still borderline to play. Has to pass a fitness test tomorrow before a decision is made

 

[jod23]

When i said Cousins v Crawford will be good i didnt mean they would play on eachother...i just meant who out of the two will have the most influence on the game, both very good midfielders, both captains...

Cuz will win the day though

 

[Thrawn666]

Originally posted by jod23
When i said Cousins v Crawford will be good i didnt mean they would play on eachother...i just meant who out of the two will have the most influence on the game, both very good midfielders, both captains...

Cuz will win the day though

I actually initially thought they would play on each other since that is what has happened in past encounters, they have been matched up on each other and as a result is has been a possession fest for both. Interesting to read the article in the West today that suggests that maybe a "tag team" will occur of Kerr and Jones, similar to what was employed against Simon Black very successfully when we played Brisbane.

 

[GoEagles]

Gardy has been named in the squad for the Hawks clash, although Woosha said he's at the same stage as he was last week, so hopefully the 2 weeks break has him fit and fighting to go!

 

[iceman]

I honestly thing that Gardiner could be the difference in this match. My tip for the game will depend on if he plays

 

[noodle]

i don't think we may know until the day. that fact that they dropped tuckey is a good sign that they are making a place for him.

good to seirra named in the team but a few players still have to go. well down to humm who gets his second consecutive game.

 

[carlyp]

Agree Noodle...Woosha has said that Gardi is at the same stage as last week. They have also named Siera so maybe they'll play him instead or maybe Woosha's comments are just a ploy to make people think that Michael will play when he wont. Hence the selection of Siera! We will know on matchday..thats the earliest I reckon!

 

[jod23]

I think Seira being named is bad news....Tuckey has being dropped for one of Gardy or Seira, maybe Seira is just bacjup in case Gardiner doesnt come up on friday after his fitness test? I dont know, hard to tell.

Good to see Green get a recall, Humm get another game and Seira finally being named.

 

[carlyp]

Maybe they'll play both Siera and Gardi. Afterall the Hawthorn team is quite a tall team so we may needboth guys to matchup on tall timbers from Hawthorn. If Im wrong then I think that Gardi will play. Woosha may have named Siera just to confuse the Hawks. If its a choice then Gardi will get the game because he has some AFL fitness where as Siera has had a year off