Michael Gardiner

[Roy boys]

Quite possibly the most inportant man on the ground now. Along with Rievoldt changed the game last week and i'm of the opinion he a better footballer then Jolly. The big question mark is whether Kosi can compete in their if he can, i think they have the advantage.
I know people will disagree but i think Gardiner is a better footballer then Jolly and one of the reasons why St Kilda are a chance in this game.

 

[Adam Selwood]

Gardiner = 10 x the footballer Jolly is

Also Grant Thomas is of the opinion that Kosi's natural position is in the ruck so you would think he'd be more than competent if he's thrown in there

 

[Roy boys]

Gardiner = 10 x the footballer Jolly is

Also Grant Thomas is of the opinion that Kosi's natural position is in the ruck so you would think he'd be more than competent if he's thrown in there

Gardiner has so much more ability and so much more effect on games its not funny. Jolly can play don't get me wrong but there are 8 or 9 ruckman who i would pick before him. So i'd back Gardiner to beat him all day long but can Kosi beat Brown, i'd say no atm.

 

[sgnl00]

ITT Gardiner circlejerk.

 

[mysainters]

Gardiner has been put on the bench for much of the last half of the year, when he would of traditionally pushed forward.

The club has been conserving him, given he tired a little last year. He is peaking at exactly the right time, and we have seen what kind of form he is in this finals series thus far.

Oh, I doubt Kosi will be on Brown.

 

[Lazarus]

Jason Blake has played in the ruck before. He can follow Brown around, defence and down back. Good matchup IMO.

 

[mysainters]

Jason Blake has played in the ruck before. He can follow Brown around, defence and down back. Good matchup IMO.

Yep.

This structure is much better suited to playing Collingwood.

 

[master bate]

With the inclusion of Baker I believe it will be Blake used to relieve Gardiner not Kosi. Should be interesting.

Gardiner is a class footballer, but so is Jolly. They should have a very strong battle. Both can drift or go forward and kick goals. Both strong in the air around the ground.

I think Gardiner will hang them up if they win, so I'm expecting a huge performance from him. He's $101 for the Normy on sportsbet, my be worth a fiver.

 

[Pies time is NOW]

Leigh Brown will play most of the time in the ruck and carve up Blake.

Jolly will play forward and kick 4.

50/50 chance Gardiner goes down with a leg injury and Ross Lyon turns into a beetroot.

 

[vicco]

Blake is not a great ruckman. Hes not tall enough (around 197cm from memory) and has not played that role once this year. The only player going in the ruck will be Kosi but this wont happen as Big Mac will be a late change in if its not wet.

 

[Pies time is NOW]

Late change:-

McEvoy in - Jason Gram (out injured) or Eddy.

 

[stfan]

Leigh Brown will play most of the time in the ruck and carve up Blake..

Ah the voice of ignorance.

FACT:Blake has a lot of experience in the ruck as Thomas played him there. He even thrashed Sandilands in the Sirengate game.

Blake has rucked 2003-2008, and occassionaly still over the last 2 seasons.

Blake will hold no fear over a low quality ruck like Brown.



FACT: Leigh Brown is not that good a ruckman..his value has been as an follower
FACT: Blake has tagged follower like Goodes and beaten them.

Jolly will play forward and kick 4..

In the finals to date gradiner has been very dangerous when going forward kicking and setting up goals. Does more around the ground than Jolly does.

50/50 chance Gardiner goes down with a leg injury and Ross Lyon turns into a beetroot.

We also have Kosi that can ruck.

Besides Gadi is the fittest he has been for years.

Now if Jolly goes down you are stuffed.

 

[Falchoon]

Blake is not a great ruckman.

Neither is Brown.

Blake has a massive engine and a massive leap.

Brown has proven successful running forward this year, Blake will be required to match him in defense and spread like crazy going forward.

The one thing he doesn't have is the contested marking ability of McEvoy.


Jolly v Gardiner could turn into a shootout with both running forward, Blake will take the forward ruckman at all times.

 

[mysainters]

Blake is not a great ruckman. Hes not tall enough (around 197cm from memory) and has not played that role once this year. The only player going in the ruck will be Kosi but this wont happen as Big Mac will be a late change in if its not wet.

He is tall enough to ruck against Brown though, and that's all he will need to focus on doing, and shadowing him everywhere.

The reality is the Saints haven't had any open training sessions for a long time, we don't know what they have been working on, Blake could of been rucking against King behind closed doors for weeks?

Look, there may be a late change, but I am thinking this is a move, and a Collingwood specific move.

 

[TheKITC]

Jason Blake has played in the ruck before. He can follow Brown around, defence and down back. Good matchup IMO.

This.

Kosi can take the ruck the forward third, which I would assume he probably does anyway, and Blake can just go head-to-head with Brown wherever he goes.

Conversely if Kosi and Gardiner want to make the swap from FF to throw another spanner in the works then that is a great combo as well.

 

[Falchoon]

Leigh Brown will play most of the time in the ruck and carve up Blake.

Career hit outs

Blake 698
Brown 374

Most hit outs in a season

Blake 183
Brown 79

Most hit outs in a game

Blake 21
Brown 12

 

[CursoryMercenary]

Hopefully Gardy smashes Jolly in the Ruck on Saturday.

 

[stfan]

When it comes to talls..the Saints have the edge.

Gardi > Jolly, plus Kosi can be alternated as well if required.

Roo >>>>>>>>>>> Cloke


Blake can take Brown

 

[vicco]

Looks like im wrong after hearing Ross telling Big Mac he wont be playing but I still expect a late change or two before the bounce. Im am so shattered for the guy and I could not even think how he is feeling right now. Very very hard for a young, proud footballer to swallow. He has not put a foot wrong this year and now this. If Gardiners body breaks down we are rooted

 

[absy]

Gardiner will be down early in the game allowing Jolly to dominate and saints selection costing them the game.

 

[Gavin Excell]

This is Gardiners 3rd grand final

St kilda fans would hope its a case of third time lucky for to date his 2 GF efforts have been woeful

 

[mysainters]

Gardiner will be down early in the game allowing Jolly to dominate and saints selection costing them the game.

Gardiner has been preserved in preparation for the finals, he'll be fine.

 

[Altum Volantes]

This is Gardiners 3rd grand final

St kilda fans would hope its a case of third time lucky for to date his 2 GF efforts have been woeful

If I recall correctly, they've just got to make sure they don't play him as a key forward and rely on him to convert simple set shots....

 

[Plugger35]

Leigh Brown will play most of the time in the ruck and carve up Blake.

Jolly will play forward and kick 4.

50/50 chance Gardiner goes down with a leg injury and Ross Lyon turns into a beetroot.

and then you'll wake up.

Gardiner has been great the past two years and is really peaking at the right time this year. Was a matchwinner along with Riewoldt against the Dogs and could be again in the GF.

Win or lose I hope he plays on next year, probably wouldn't blame him if he decided to hang up the boots if we won though.

 

[bombermick]

St.Kilda's selection has to be a win for the Pies. The Pies using Jolly and Brown in the ruck (with an extra spot for midfield rotations) has forced St.Kilda to do likewise. I'm certain that if they were playing Geelong, St. Kilda would have kept their traditional ruck set-up. The Saints simply had no choice because of Collingwood's midfield depth. St. Kilda's big men are better but they must have a big performance from Kosi. If he doesn't fire they lose.