AFL Fantasy Player Notes - Michael Gardiner Plays A Game Without Being Injured
2003 was the last time that Michael Gardiner was a consistently healthy and contributing player. The Saints think he can get back to that form and he showed he is injury-free during their intra-club match.
From the Herald Sun: Former Eagle ready to fly
From The Age: Gardiner passes test
AFL Fantasy Impact:
The fantasy value of any ruckman at St Kilda is dependant on where Koschitzke is played. If they go with a forward line of Riewoldt, Gehrig and Koschitzke it will mean a lot of available ruck minutes for King, M Gardiner, McEvoy or Rix.
Both King and M Gardiner are expected to be in their NAB Cup team next week, that game could show where Koschitzke plays and who is next in line for the ruck. The price in fantasy leagues for Gardiner and King will be low, but the risk in signing them is still something that will deter many fantasy coaches.
From the Herald Sun: Former Eagle ready to fly
While the Saints rested a host of their stars, including star forward Nick Riewoldt, Gardiner joined former Geelong premiership big man Steven King in a new-look St Kilda ruck set-up.
"But he has been in full training for a fair while now and we were always confident that he was going to play today and play Round 1.
"But he has been in full training for a fair while now and we were always confident that he was going to play today and play Round 1.
From The Age: Gardiner passes test
"There's no No. 1 or No. 2 (ruckman), it's about rotations and sharing the load. One week, one will do 60 per cent and the other 40, it depends on opposition and form, but fundamentally, it will be rotating the role between Rix, King, Gardner and (Justin) Koschitzke."
He said Goddard's recovery from knee surgery was on track. "We're just graduating his competing work . .. he's trying to get up for round one but it's not about round one, we learnt that with Maguire last year," Lyon said.
He said Goddard's recovery from knee surgery was on track. "We're just graduating his competing work . .. he's trying to get up for round one but it's not about round one, we learnt that with Maguire last year," Lyon said.
AFL Fantasy Impact:
The fantasy value of any ruckman at St Kilda is dependant on where Koschitzke is played. If they go with a forward line of Riewoldt, Gehrig and Koschitzke it will mean a lot of available ruck minutes for King, M Gardiner, McEvoy or Rix.
Both King and M Gardiner are expected to be in their NAB Cup team next week, that game could show where Koschitzke plays and who is next in line for the ruck. The price in fantasy leagues for Gardiner and King will be low, but the risk in signing them is still something that will deter many fantasy coaches.
The NAB Cup game might show if M Gardiner really has a chance at playing a lot this season. As well as his health, where Koschitzke plays will change the ruck minutes available. It is hard to see Riewoldt, Gehrig and Koschitzke all fitting in their forward line. But if they do go big near goal then King and M Gardiner will have plenty of minutes.