2006 TRADE WEEK

Michael Gardiner wikipedia.org No.1 draft pick in the 1996 National Draft, Gardiner debuted in 1997 at only 17 years of age, there were big raps on Gardiner as an emerging ruckman - forward. He did not disappoint, winning a Rising Star nomination in 1997 and continuing to improve. In 2003 he won All-Australian selection but since then his career has taken a turn for the worst. His chronic knee injuries have set him back, to the point where he missed most of the 2004 season. 2005 was not much better for Gardiner, with his poor season culminating in a much-maligned 2005 AFL Grand Final performance, where he consistently dropped marks and was slow on the lead, as well as his inaccurate goalkicking. From the heights of his All-Australian selection where he was considered one of the AFL's premier ruckman, the injury-prone Gardiner has slid to the point where he is no longer a first-choice player at the West Coast Eagles. He has been overtaken in the ruck department by Dean Cox who was the leading ruckman in the competition winning All Australian selection in 2005 and also Mark Seaby a young ruckman who has turned in consistently solid performances. In 2007 Michael will be playing with the St Kilda Saints on a 1 year contract. The controversies surrounding Michael Gardiner have been frequently known to spark debate as to whether an athlete's off field behaviour should have an impact on their on-field selection. Chris Judd . . . has commented in his column (though not necessarily in specific reference to Gardiner) that players ought not be role models for children, as the public rarely has an idea of the character of players. Some commentators such as Mark Duffield have expressed disagreement with this view, citing the fact that players accept large salaries and thus accept taking on the job of role models. Other commentators such as Sam Newman, Doovie Cohen, as well as prominent physician and (West Coast) Eagles supporter Steven David have been vocal in stating that parents ought to be role models themselves, and opining that the likes of Michael Gardiner should be left to doing what they do best - playing football. • Michael Gardiner Stats stats.rleague.com • Michael Gardiner Profile saints.com.au MG's July Incident Video file - youtube.com • Woosha shuts door on Gardiner saints.com.au Milne, Gardener its all about next year . . . by 'Dani Rose' since lyon has been appointed coach i think he has made it very clear of their aims . . . i have to say i am liking what he is doing . . . (but i still love thommo) it seems alot of people think we could of saved our money and recruited someone rather than gardener and build them up . . . but i dont think stkilda are thinking that way anymore, which could b a good thing . . . we're past building up our list now we just need sumone experienced and good to help get us over the line . . . we dont have time for an inexperienced ruckman to grow . . . its about next year and we know gardener has the ability to get us over the line . . . with milne its the same thing . . . yea he might b older now and not as effective as he used to be and might not serve us that much in a couple of years but the next year or two are the ones that matter . . . and we need a small skillfull crummer to do the job . . . plus hes awesome and we all love him . . . also with roo not going to ireland . . . i think that sends a big message . . . their serious, their the real deal and they've started already . . . we've pretty much got our list together and now we're aiming for the top . . bring on next year . . . Milne, Gardener its all about next year . . . The Post 'Dani Rose' saintsational.com

Michael Gardiner a Saint
. . . "I'm excited to be able to come to Melbourne and a new start and playing for a club that are hopefully going to be successful next year," Gardiner said at Moorabbin . . . (Ross) Lyon described Gardiner's arrival as an exciting time for the club. " We're rapt to have a legitimate, bonafide ruckman through the door to complement what's already on the list," Lyon said. " We contacted him during the week, had a discussion, we followed up with a really thorough process here this morning and met Ron Joseph (Gardiner's agent) and came to terms."
The Article David Hastie/HeraldSun/14Oct06 (image MG)

AFL Trade Day wrap up - highlight being Chris Tarrant's move to Fremantle (video file) SydneyMorningHerald/13Oct06

Gardiner fit to ruck: Saints
St Kilda yesterday accepted medical advice to convince itself that Michael Gardiner can be the ruckman it has lacked in recent years. The Saints conducted a medical screening of the former West Coast player yesterday morning, including talks with his surgeon and Ashley Prescott, coach of Claremont in the WAFL, where Gardiner played most of his football in 2006. The results persuaded the Saints that the 27-year-old could play a role in the club's ruck division. "I'm not a doctor, so I think I'll trust them," coach Ross Lyon said. Saints chief executive Archie Fraser said Gardiner's medical record posed no concerns. "We're pretty comfortable," Fraser said. "He's a No. 1 ruckman and has been for a few years and he has a few battle scars, but nothing of concern."
The Article Martin Blake/TheAge RealFooty/14Oct06
He's not a Saint, but we'll take the punt Martin Mlake/WestAustralian/14Oct06 (image MG at Moorabbin)

Rogues gallery exposes lunacy of trade week
. . . Michael Gardiner, 27, could be the great success of this year's trade period or its most spectacular disaster. St Kilda merely shuffled a few draft picks to get him so in terms of risk versus potential reward, it is a good deal.
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/14Oct06

2006 NAB AFL DRAFT - 25th Nov at 10am VR Dome
St Kilda are left with draft picks 9, 27, 59, and 75 after trading.
2006 NAB AFL Draft order of selection After Trade Week - saints.com.au
All clubs must have a minimum of three picks in the November draft and any traded selection must be used in the draft.

Saints think Gardiner will behave
St Kilda regards recruit Michael Gardiner as a quality ruckman who can boost the club's premiership chances, not as an injury prone player with a penchant for getting into trouble. The Saints today threw Gardiner an AFL lifeline, handing West Coast draft selection 43 in return for pick 59 to complete the exchange. It appears a risky move, given the 27-year-old's career has been blighted by both injury and ill-discipline since he shone as an All Australian in 2003 . . . But, after putting Gardiner through a medical examination this morning, along with a series of interviews with club directors, new coach Ross Lyon and senior players, the Saints are confident all of those issues are behind him. "We're pretty comfortable," St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said of Gardiner's medical record. "He's a No.1 ruckman and has been for a few years and he has a few battle scars, but nothing of concern."
The Article Sam Lienert/FoxFooty/14Oct06

Second chance for Milne
The equation for Stephen Milne was simple and blunt . . . if Grant Thomas hadn't been sacked as coach, the fast-talking St Kilda forward would no longer be at Moorabbin. He would have almost certainly become an Essendon player for the second time. Milne was as shocked as anyone when Thomas was shown the door four days after the Saints' finals exit. With a return of just 30 goals from 22 games this season, Thomas had already decided the forward would be traded. Even when the coach left Moorabbin, Milne's name stayed on the trade list and he was pursued by Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy. Removing Milne's name from the trade list was one of the first things Ross Lyon did when appointed to succeed Thomas.
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/06Nov06

Everitt takes wing with a new footy flock
Peter Everitt is heading to Sydney - a destination that had looked a likely one for him at trade time last year and a hoped-for, but still unlikely one, for him this year until literally the last minute of trading time . . . Everitt, 32, played 180 games with St Kilda and 72 with Hawthorn. He missed out on playing in the Saints' losing grand final side in 1997 due to injury, but said that going to the Swans gave him his best chance at finishing his career as a premiership player.
The Article Len Johnson/TheAge RealFooty/14Oct06

Akermanis won't change a bit
Within days, Western Bulldogs recruit Jason Akermanis will sort through a flood of media offers and decide which TV and radio stations he aligns himself with next year. Already a newspaper columnist with News Ltd and a regular TV presence, Akermanis has no intention of suddenly becoming a shrinking violet at his new club. When he fronts up for pre-season training, he will find a glut of fast goalkicking midfield players to compete with, most of them younger than him.
The Article Jon Ralph/FoxSports/15Oct06
Daicos rocked by 'Pies trade Jon Ralph/SundayTimesWA/15Oct06

FRIDAY TRADE REPORT:
GARDINER NOW A SAINT
'Ross Lyon gets his 200 plus (199cm) tap ruckman'
1.40pm Confirmation from Telstra Dome that the paperwork for St Kilda/Michael Gardiner/Eagles has been processed. Pick number 43 to West Coast - and pick number 59 (back) to the Saints. Gardiner said on a SEN radio interview that he is happy to get a one year deal 'to start with' and was pleased to be with St Kilda. He seemed impressed with what he had seen at Moorabbin and met with some of the Saints players this morning, including Lenny Hayes, Max Hudghton and Luke Ball who gave their thumbs up to the idea of having Michael Gardiner at St Kilda. Ross Lyon said on a SEN interview today that he didn't believe in No. 1 ruckman and that two ruckmen will share the load. Ed.
ALL TRADES: Gardiner and Birss to St Kilda; McDougall to Bulldogs; Polack to Richmond; Tarrant to Fremantle; Medhurst to Collingwood; Everitt to Sydney; Solomon to Fremantle; Akermanis to Bulldogs.
Trade Details - All Clubs HeraldSun/14Oct06

Gardiner a Saint
West Coast ruckman Michael Gardiner will play for St Kilda in 2007. The Eagles have sent the one-time All-Australian ruckman and a fourth round draft pick (no.59) to the Saints and will receive St Kilda's third round selection (no.43) in exchange. Gardiner was the first pick in the 1996 NAB AFL Draft and played 129 games for the Eagles, but endured a troubled 2006 with the Eagles. He was suspended by the Eagles in the pre-season for drinking on the eve of a practice match and the again by the club later in the year after crashing a car while driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Article Ashley Browne/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/13Oct06

Last trading day - time zones
1:43PM - St Kilda: West Coast big-man Michael Gardiner has been traded to St Kilda after the Saints gave up a third round selection and secured a fourth round pick. In a remarkable series of trades, the Saints have picked up Gardiner and the No.59 selection overall - their original pick at the start of trade week. St Kilda had given up the No.59 selection yesterday in exchange for Shane Birss from the Western Bulldogs. The Dogs then off-loaded the selection to the Eagles as part of the deal to secure forward Andrew McDougall. That fourth round selection has been in the hands of three clubs during trade week and finished back in the hands of St Kilda just minutes before the 2pm trade deadline.
The Trading Scott Spits/TheAge RealFooty/13Oct06

Aka for pick 34 is the 'Sale of the Century'
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade was more content than usual last night as he kicked back and planned his end of season holiday. And who could blame him? Eade stopped a long way short of trumpeting it himself, but Jason Akermanis could well prove to be the deal of the century.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/14Oct06
Aka: Pick 34 a bargain for Dogs Mark Stevens/FoxSports/13Oct06

Gardiner's woes are in the past
St Kilda regards recruit Michael Gardiner as a quality ruckman who can boost the club's premiership chances, not as an injury prone player with a penchant for getting into trouble . . . In other news, Mulwala's Mark McGough has been delisted by St Kilda after managing just three games with the club this season. The ex-Magpie had failed to break into the Saints' senior squad, despite some outstanding performances for the club's reserves side, Casey Scorpions. The club has also delisted former Lavington player Allan Murray, the brother of North Albury player Matt, and ex-Hopper Derek. After crossing from Port Adelaide, Murray played four games with the Saints this season.
The Article BorderMail/14Oct06

Kangaroos cull
The Kangaroos have delisted experienced defender Troy Makepeace and youngster Chad Jones . . . They join Cameron Thurley, Mark Powell, rookie Justin Perkins and retirees Sav Rocca and Jade Rawlings.
The Article AAP/HeraldSun/14Oct06

TRADE ARTICLES
Gardiner off to St Kilda Ashley Browne/Sportal/13Oct06
Tarrant to Fremantle, Polak to Richmond AAP/TheAge/13Oct06
Polak/Tarrant/Medhurst Mega deal completed Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/13Oct06
Everitt heads north Ashley Browne/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/13Oct06
Polak trade delights Tigers Matt Burgan/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/13Oct06
Freo gets Solly Matt Burgan/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/13Oct06
Tarrant to Freo, Swans get Spida HeraldSun/13Oct06
Chris Tarrant: Best yet to come Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/13Oct06
Hawks rue missing Thornton Sportal/13Oct06
Pies' draft coup Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/13Oct06
Trade week no deal for Port & Crows Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvertiser/14Oct06
Fremantle forward line goes up market Greg Denham/TheAustralian/14Oct06
Swans score Everitt just before siren Richard Hinds/SudneyMorningHerald/14Oct06

Johnson, Milne staying put
Two players who have figured prominently in AFL trade talks this week are officially off the market after re-signing with their clubs. Essendon's Jason Johnson was sought by St Kilda, but the Bombers today granted him the two-year deal he was hoping for. St Kilda's Stephen Milne was another out-of-contract player mentioned as a possible trade. But today it was announced that he had come to terms with the Saints and will play under new coach Ross Lyon next year.
The Article ABCSport/12Oct06

Gardiner goes from sinner to Saint
West Coast's Michael Gardiner has never claimed to be a saint. But that may change by 2pm today if St Kilda and new coach Ross Lyon pull off the surprise deal of the trade period by luring the 27-year-old, trouble-prone ruckman to Moorabbin. Gardiner was last night flying to Melbourne to meet his manager Ron Joseph and the Saints, who will subject the 2003 All-Australian to a series of medical tests before today's deadline. St Kilda football operations manager Ken Sheldon contacted his West Coast counterpart Steve Woodhouse about a trade, which would involve the Eagles accepting a clutch of late draft picks for a player they effectively sacked in July.
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/13Oct06
Gardiner 'CeilidhSaint' et al/saintsational.com
GARDINER is worth the RISK! 'WinnersOnly' et al/saintsational.com
Spider or Gardiner 'Sainternist' et al/saintsational.com

Saints, Gardiner to meet on ruck role
St Kilda will meet disgraced Eagle Michael Gardiner this morning as part of its search for a new ruckman in the trading period's biggest bombshell . . . The Gardiner talks are the first bold move by Lyon since the former Sydney assistant was appointed on Wednesday. Lyon immediately indicated that he was in the market for a 200-centimetre specialist ruckman. While Gardiner's attitude and off-field behaviour were responsible for his eventual demise at West Coast, his physical condition will be no less significant to St Kilda's decision on whether to recruit him.
The Article & Trade Update Jake Niall, Michael Gleeson and Stephen Rielly/TheAge RealFooty/13Oct06
Gardiner a chance as Lyon hunts ruckman Michael Gleeson & David Reed/WestAustralian/12Oct06

Reject ruck Gardiner in Saints' talks
Michael Gardiner has leapt to the top of St Kilda's list of prospective ruckmen. The former West Coast star flew into Melbourne last night for talks today with the Saints, who have declared a ready-made ruckman is their No.1 priority . . . Both parties were at pains to say any deal still was a long way off, but St Kilda clearly is the club most likely to offer Gardiner the chance to resurrect his career . . . The Saints also have interest in Brisbane Lions' premiership ruckman Clark Keating, but Gardiner appears to have become the preferred choice . . . If the Saints punt on Gardiner and do a deal with West Coast, they will grab him before the pre-season draft, where they will be well down the selection order.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/13Oct06

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