Michael Gardiner

[Truck Rutten]

No effing way.

When was the last time the guy even played successfully in the ruck at AFL level? He's done nothing since that PCL injury to prove that he's still up to it.

And then there's his mental issues. This is not a rookie who could be excused for playing up a bit. He's 27 isn't he? Isn't one nutcase ruckman/forward in the club's history enough?

 

[DJ75]

Well, I think Clarke will retire and Meesen will go back to Melb (he only signed a 1 year deal to do the right thing by the Crows).
How would this sound then?
Meesen and Skipworth to Carlton for pick 17 and #1 pick in pre Season draft. Crows then get reasonable draft choice (deep draft) and the chance to pick u either Gardiner or Spida.
I would do it! If you had watched Hudson in the SANFL finals you would have noticed that a reasonably slow man has lost pace. He was flogged in the ruck by the Central ruckman and then beaten by Parry. I'm not overly excited about his return!
If he struggles then we are only left with Maric and Griffen!!!!!

 

[Vader]

Well, I think Clarke will retire and Meesen will go back to Melb (he only signed a 1 year deal to do the right thing by the Crows).
How would this sound then?
Meesen and Skipworth to Carlton for pick 17 and #1 pick in pre Season draft. Crows then get reasonable draft choice (deep draft) and the chance to pick u either Gardiner or Spida.
I would do it! If you had watched Hudson in the SANFL finals you would have noticed that a reasonably slow man has lost pace. He was flogged in the ruck by the Central ruckman and then beaten by Parry. I'm not overly excited about his return!
If he struggles then we are only left with Maric and Griffen!!!!!

Can't trade PSD selections.

 

[tinman]

I would rather take a chance on Polak

I would rather eat my own liver......

 

[mymansyd]

What "vibes" and what is "this" that is disappointing? All we have is a media report that the club has denied, and at worst the possibility that the club is considering an option for covering the absence of Biglands and Clarke.

I agree that Gardiner should not be an option for our club, but I don't see "vibes" of "lack of faith" in the current players.

I think you are probably quite right, my vibes do get out of hand occasionally!

It's just that I think that Hudson/Maric/Meesen can get the job done next year. From what I've seen, I have the upmost faith that they can deliver the goods.

It's not as if the Clarke/Biglands combination set the world on fire this year. They just did their job. Clarke and Biglands have never been elite players at our footy club, they are not consistent gamebreakers and they are not irreplaceable. Biglands peaked in 2002 and has plateaued out, whilst Clarke, let's face it, played his best footy at Brisbane, especially circa 1997.

If we were to trade for another ruckman, I 'd hope he'd be one with a fair bit of upside. In other words, not Gardiner.

 

[crowsarethebest]

Gardiner is talented but his mind is in la-la land. Surely there are better options in the SANFL? Admittingly, Gardiner did do well for his WAFL club when Pagan was there I think.. He kicked 3 goals in a quarter or something but then broke down with an injury.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I actually can't believe that people think there would be better options in the SANFL

Let me start off by saying that there is no way I would even consider Gardiner. I don't think we need another mature age ruckman simply because we have 3 promising youngsters on our list and at least 2 of them would be ready to play some sort of back up role in the AFL next year.

However, lets not talk about Gardiner like he is some sort of no talent dud like David Gallagher. Gardiner at his best is one of the best ruckman going around. Only 3 years ago he was THE best ruckman in the competition. He has been playing in the ruck in the WAFL this year. His talent as a ruckman and his ability to perform as a ruckman at AFL level has never and should never be in question.

His attitude should however. I wouldn't like to see us recruit Gardiner, not so much for his off-field stuff but more so of what we already have on the list. We have some quality ruckman on our list. Sure some are unproven but how about backing in those lads and giving them some chance to shine. Pressure builds diamonds and I am sure that with another pre-season under their belts, they will be ready enough to play some games.

People are afraid what might happen if Hudson goes down again. Thats not guaranteed. Whats to say thar hypothetically Biglands didn't do his knee against WC but both him and Hudson do it during the pre-season. What would be people's thinking then.

I think we shoudl back in what we have and either sink or swim with it. Sometimes you need to take a punt and this is as good a time as any IMHO.

 

[Mad Dog]

I think we shoudl back in what we have and either sink or swim with it. Sometimes you need to take a punt and this is as good a time as any IMHO.

 

[relapse]

I dont have an issue with getting Gardiner if we used our last draft pick or we nabbed him in the pre-season draft.

 

[Dandy_GO]

Barry Brooks is our man. What a gun.

 

[arrowman]

His attitude should however. I wouldn't like to see us recruit Gardiner, not so much for his off-field stuff but more so of what we already have on the list. We have some quality ruckman on our list. Sure some are unproven but how about backing in those lads and giving them some chance to shine. Pressure builds diamonds and I am sure that with another pre-season under their belts, they will be ready enough to play some games.

People are afraid what might happen if Hudson goes down again. Thats not guaranteed. Whats to say thar hypothetically Biglands didn't do his knee against WC but both him and Hudson do it during the pre-season. What would be people's thinking then.

I think we shoudl back in what we have and either sink or swim with it. Sometimes you need to take a punt and this is as good a time as any IMHO.

Getting Gardiner would cost us a draft pick that could be used on a young player for the future. And it would be a waste if Hudson is OK and one of the others steps up. Plus every game the Gardiner plays is a game lost to the development of the others.

If Hudson is not OK or the others don't step up, we have a problem. But you can't compromise your list building plans for the sake of a "what if". We have greater current needs elsewhere on our list.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Hypothetically speaking (attitude issues aside for a second), how do you all think Gardiner would go as a key forward?

I agree our ruck stocks are OK, though vulnerable if Hudson goes down. However, i wouldn't like to impede M&Ms development but getting another ruckman-only type. A KPP who can also ruck would be very handy.

Lets face it, we have some good key forwards, but they are certainly not outstanding and never will be. Also, our most promising key forward in 07 (Bock) could easily be required down back at various stages. I reckon Gardiner would be a good target across HF or an even better target close to goal and taking the ruck up forward.

Another X-factor with Gardiner is that he has a bit of the old fashioned 'mongrel' in him, an absolutely fierce competitor. That is exactly the type of on-field grunt the Crows often lack, especially from their big men.

We are not far from being a premiership team, we only need another KPP (Gardiner/Bradshaw/???) and an injection of pace (Douglas) and inside toughness (??) into the midfield.

Is his upside big enough to take the risk, because his price should not be too high.

 

[crowsarethebest]

I would like us taking another ruckman in the draft. Whether experienced or not. Just for Cover... If Meesen or Maric want to leave or Griffen doesn't come on, or Hudson or a ruckman goes down. Maybe rookie list a Beanpole ruckman, the game is Changing in terms or ruckman, Look at Sandilands(211 cm and 125kg) .. The Circle has certainly helped him.

 

[Alex99]

Don’t do it, NC

I don’t believe his past behaviors would be a cancer on the playing group as Mark Ricciuto and NC would sort him out long before he started going down that track.

I wouldn’t recruit him as I see next year as a major opportunity to blood both Maric and Meesen and fast track there development for the future .

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Don’t do it, NC

I don’t believe his past behaviors would be a cancer on the playing group as Mark Ricciuto and NC would sort him out long before he started going down that track.

I wouldn’t recruit him as I see next year as a major opportunity to blood both Maric and Meesen and fast track there development for the future .

But can he play primarily as a forward, leaving 2 other ruck spots in the team?

 

[arrowman]

But can he play primarily as a forward, leaving 2 other ruck spots in the team?

And what does putting a 27 year old into our forward line do for our development? Same problem as the ruck situation - it detracts from the development of our list. We need another 26+ year old in our forward line right now about as much as we need a quality defender

 

[kimirocks]

Barry Brooks is our man. What a gun.

Oh you *flaps hand gayly*

 

[arrowman]

Don’t do it, NC

I don’t believe his past behaviors would be a cancer on the playing group as Mark Ricciuto and NC would sort him out long before he started going down that track.

I agree. No-one will know Gardiner better than the people who actually talk with him. While I am pretty sure his mindset is not what we want at the club, if Neil and Triggy (and even Bill ) went with him I would be confident that it was on the basis that they knew what they were doing in that regard.

But, like you, I don't think that's the only impediment to recruiting him.

 

[slappy]

Getting Gardiner would cost us a draft pick that could be used on a young player for the future. And it would be a waste if Hudson is OK and one of the others steps up. Plus every game the Gardiner plays is a game lost to the development of the others.

If Hudson is not OK or the others don't step up, we have a problem. But you can't compromise your list building plans for the sake of a "what if". We have greater current needs elsewhere on our list.

totally agree with that.

imo the cornerstone of the club has to be to back the recruiting team to continually pick the best young players

 

[TheLeftFist8]

And what does putting a 27 year old into our forward line do for our development? Same problem as the ruck situation - it detracts from the development of our list. We need another 26+ year old in our forward line right now about as much as we need a quality defender

Which key forward development player would he be displacing? For mine, he would be replacing McGregor (slightly younger, but the body of an old man) or Perrie. Not compromising development, unless you have someone in mind for FF or CHF next year in the younger age bracket? Would love to hear about any realistic options because we need them!

(BTW i do believe we would benefit from another tall quality defender who actually has good pace, as we were exposed a little up there against WC...but that's another thread).

 

[TheLeftFist8]

totally agree with that.

imo the cornerstone of the club has to be to back the recruiting team to continually pick the best young players

Agree, it should be the cornerstone BUT why throw all other options out the window to follow a blanket rule. Sydney are the proof that clever trades can make a difference and supplement the primary task of identifying and drafting youngsters.

 

[glengowan]

I actually can't believe that people think there would be better options in the SANFL

I think Sam Jacobs would be a better long term/overall option and think if the Crows wanted him, they could get him in the draft. I think he would be fighting for the same spot in the squad as Gardiner would.

Sellar would also be a better option, but will likely go early so not really an "option" as such.

I think Nick Gill would be a better option than Gardiner if looking for a key forward.

Other than that, I don't think there are any other SANFL players that would be a better option than Gardiner.

IMHO I wouldn't go for Gardiner (or Everitt for that matter). Without Biglands there are already 3 ruckman who I would say are ready to play AFL and another emergency in Griffen and even McGregor.

 

[Embers]

If he moved to Adelaide id eat my hat

 

[slappy]

Agree, it should be the cornerstone BUT why throw all other options out the window to follow a blanket rule. Sydney are the proof that clever trades can make a difference and supplement the primary task of identifying and drafting youngsters.

im not saying its a blanket rule but you need a damn good reason to deviate.

gardiner would be another question mark on our list that we dont need.

 

[Alex99]

I would certainly look at rookie listing Craig Parry from South Adelaide as a insurance ruckman but I am not sure someone who is only194cm is going to be tall enough to play as a ruckman in the AFL.