From devastation to silencing the doubters

From devastation to silencing the doubters Dogs defender keeps growing

Ryan Gardner has silenced his doubters with strong performances for the Bulldogs in 2022

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NOTHING has ever come easy for Ryan Gardner in the AFL. First, he was delisted by Geelong without a game to his name after three years at Kardinia Park. Then he was told the news every footballer fears ahead of last year’s Grand Final in Perth.

Now four years into his time at the Whitten Oval, Gardner has dusted himself off and recovered from being dropped for the biggest game of 2021 by becoming a permanent fixture in the Western Bulldogs’ back six this season.

After playing 21 games across his first six seasons, the 25-year-old has featured in all 17 games in his best year to date in 2022, playing a crucial role for Luke Beveridge in a makeshift defence alongside Alex Keath.

Gardner produced one of his best performances yet last Friday night, restricting the influence of St Kilda star Max King at Marvel Stadium to help the Western Bulldogs keep their season alive with a strong win.

"When Bevo told me he wasn't going to go with me for the Grand Final it was devastating. It was one of the hardest moments of my life. To be so close to that dream of playing in a Grand Final and then not getting an opportunity was devastating," Gardner told AFL.com.au after the 28-point win.

"At the same time, I just had to reflect on the year that I had. I had two shoulder surgeries. To come back from one of those and play footy, let alone two of them and get to play some finals, I just had to try and hold my head high.

"I knew if I could string some games together, things would turn for me. I needed to improve on the things that were the reason why I wasn’t picked for the Grand Final. It definitely burned; it was a real driver for me through the summer. It was something I definitely didn't want to ever happen to me again. It was definitely a big motivation for me across the summer."

Gardner found himself at a different crossroad at the end of 2018 when he wasn't offered another deal by the Cats. He was pouring beers at the Railway Hotel in Yarraville and studying a university degree, while trying to keep his AFL dream alive in the VFL.

The Burnie Dockers product chose to sign with Footscray over Casey ahead of 2019 after being pursued by then-development coaches Daniel Giansiracusa and Stewart Edge. Months later he was back on an AFL list after the Western Bulldogs used pick No.6 in the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft on the 197cm defender.

"I definitely had my doubts. When I got delisted, I thought, 'What's next?' I thought if I got another opportunity on a list, was I going to be able to get a game? It was definitely a dark time back when I got delisted," Gardner said.

"I was just super grateful to be wanted by Footscray to play there. Lucky to be playing some good footy at the time. I had a conversation with Bevo three or four weeks before the mid-season draft that they were going to pick me up. To look back now and see that all those choices have helped me get to the position I am in now. I'm just super grateful that the Dogs gave me the opportunity, allowed me to get my feet and can see now that I can play at the level."

After limiting the impact of Lance Franklin in round three, only days after the Sydney superstar became only the sixth player to kick 1000 goals in VFL/AFL history, Gardner produced another standout effort on Friday night against King to highlight his emergence as a dependable option down back this year.

"I had the job to go to Max. My game this year has been based around trying to minimise the key forwards' opportunities at goals and things like that. I was really happy with that. I was able to limit him and help my teammates as well," he said.

"It helps when we play the way we did. It is so much easier to play as a backman when we're winning it out of the middle, there is much less pressure on the ball coming in. It gives them less opportunities to have looks at marks and different things."

With a fresh wave of COVID-19 sweeping through the playing group and football department in the 48 hours leading into the game – Aaron Naughton, Josh Schache, Lachie Hunter and Zaine Cordy all entered health and safety protocols, along with Travis Varcoe, Matt Spangher and Brent Prismall – Gardner said it was a nervous build-up to Friday night.

"Every time you tested in the morning you thought you might wake up with it," he said.

"The last couple of years has shown how quickly it can spread, especially when you've got a few guys internally get it and being around them. I think we were all a bit nervous on gameday thinking there might be another three or four blokes out. Luckily it was just those blokes in the end. It could have been even worse."

The Western Bulldogs are back in the September hunt after Friday night's win, but if they are going to play finals football in 2022, they will need to overcome a run home that includes three premiership contenders in the next three rounds – Melbourne, Geelong and Fremantle – followed by Greater Western Sydney and Hawthorn.

It will mean more key roles for the maligned Bulldog who has silenced plenty of doubters this winter.

Really pleased to see how Gardner has improved. He's still got some improvement in him as well.
I've always admired the players that have to really earn their spots on a playing list.

Great the way he has persisted and just kept at - real credit to him.

Still don't why know he was dropped for the GF last year after having a pretty good finals series.

Hopefully he keeps improving

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Originally Posted by bornadog

Still don't why know he was dropped for the GF last year after having a pretty good finals series.

Hopefully he keeps improving

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Not that it would have helped but it was puzzling. I think he's had a disappointing season in 2022 personally but that is more reflective of the team balance and effort to defend overall. I still don't think he's the answer to our troubles but he's serviceable and we won a grand final with some serviceable backmen (Hamling, Roberts) so who knows?

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Originally Posted by G-Mo77

Not that it would have helped but it was puzzling. I think he's had a disappointing season in 2022 personally but that is more reflective of the team balance and effort to defend overall. I still don't think he's the answer to our troubles but he's serviceable and we won a grand final with some serviceable backmen (Hamling, Roberts) so who knows?

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Was it spoken about at the time? Why he was dropped? Did Cordy come back in for him or something? There were a few changes with Weightman and Young in/out over that period. I forget!

I think he's alright. It's pretty easy to notice mistakes defenders make. Some of his kicks just go straight up in the air! But his marking has really improved (or confidence in marking) and given a bit of pressure on the ball carrier, he's generally not out of the contest and does ok. We def need more key defender support though.

I'd much rather have him than not!

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Originally Posted by bornadog

Still don't why know he was dropped for the GF last year after having a pretty good finals series.

Hopefully he keeps improving

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I think it came down to a decision between playing Easton Wood or Gardner.

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Originally Posted by G-Mo77

I think he's had a disappointing season in 2022 personally but that is more reflective of the team balance and effort to defend overall. I still don't think he's the answer to our troubles but he's serviceable and we won a grand final with some serviceable backmen (Hamling, Roberts) so who knows?

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Really baffled how you could assess his season as disappointing? He has improved markedly from 2021, marks more often, rarely misses a spoil and disposal has become more assured. Of course he's not at All Australian level and he still makes the odd poor decision or skill error but not even the best KPDs in the league are immune from that occasionally. I'm not sure under what metric he has been disappointing?

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Originally Posted by MrMahatma

Was it spoken about at the time? Why he was dropped? Did Cordy come back in for him or something? There were a few changes with Weightman and Young in/out over that period. I forget!

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Keath returned for the grand final and the match committee went with Cordy over Gardner.

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Originally Posted by MrMahatma

Was it spoken about at the time? Why he was dropped? Did Cordy come back in for him or something? There were a few changes with Weightman and Young in/out over that period. I forget!

!

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From memory Keath was injured for the prelim and it was either Gardner / Cordy / Wood to make way.

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Originally Posted by Axe Man

Really baffled how you could assess his season as disappointing? He has improved markedly from 2021, marks more often, rarely misses a spoil and disposal has become more assured. Of course he's not at All Australian level and he still makes the odd poor decision or skill error but not even the best KPDs in the league are immune from that occasionally. I'm not sure under what metric he has been disappointing?

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I did go on to say it more a reflection on the team but do go off. :rolleyes:

He's a slow burner for sure, and I have felt he was thrown in the deep end too quickly. BUT...... He has a humility and elasticity and commitment that reminds me of Dale Morris. Certainly not saying he's near that level yet, but he has similar traits. Now he just needs to become more 'glovelike'. I am certainly warming to him for sure.

Love the way he persists. Lack of defensive pressure upfield hasn't helped this season. Often shows good judgement to leave his man to effect a spoil. The Diamond Fist.

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Originally Posted by HOSE B ROMERO

Love the way he persists. Lack of defensive pressure upfield hasn't helped this season. Often shows good judgement to leave his man to effect a spoil. The Diamond Fist.

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He certainly spoils with intent, it's actually incredibly noticeable how much he has improved in this area. His intercept marking has also been a highlight for me this year. Hopefully teams continue to move the ball as fast as St Kilda and Ryan may end up in the AA squad :P

His spoiling has become a bit of a banker when the ball comes in high. Hard to compliment our defence this year though

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Originally Posted by GVGjr

I think it came down to a decision between playing Easton Wood or Gardner.

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Wood broke his hand and was torched all day.

Bad call in retrospect.

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Originally Posted by SonofScray

Wood broke his hand and was torched all day.

Bad call in retrospect.

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Just a bad call, Wood's form wasn't anything flash.

Let's just take it one week at a time.

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Originally Posted by 1eyedog

Let's just take it one week at a time.

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Yeah, article is overkill. He still has a LONG way to go before he can be called a good defender.

Nearly come to fisticuffs with a really good friend over Gardi! (the invite to Yarraville nets was almost forthcoming)

I think he has improved a great deal and becomes everyone's whipping boy far too often

I think the article is extremely even handed. It doesn't claim he has become a standout performer, but simply points out "his emergence as a dependable option down back this year". I see that as very fair and reasonable. I also believe the level of criticism he received early in his career at the Dogs, far outweighed any inadequacies he displayed. Clearly confidence has played a significant part in his style of play and who can blame him for having some self-doubt.

He has become dependable. Can he become pivotal? Probably not, but I wish him, and by extension us, every success.

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Originally Posted by Before I Die

I think the article is extremely even handed. It doesn't claim he has become a standout performer, but simply points out "his emergence as a dependable option down back this year". I see that as very fair and reasonable. I also believe the level of criticism he received early in his career at the Dogs, far outweighed any inadequacies he displayed. Clearly confidence has played a significant part in his style of play and who can blame him for having some self-doubt.

He has become dependable. Can he become pivotal? Probably not, but I wish him, and by extension us, every success.

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Good summation Bid.

I reckon he can keep improving for a few more seasons. Could be a very good player if he keeps at it and plays to his strengths.

Some of the commentary around him when he started was pretty full on, and irrational. But, as I say that I remember the majority of people watching him during those times were going through some pretty weird shit with lockdowns (remember those) and the mindlessness of watching football in slippery conditions in a shortened format.

He's come along well and I quite like him as a third string tall. We just need to find someone really good so he doesn't have to be a first or second string tall.

I think he is our best tall defender right now. Keath's form this year isn't great, Cordy was always a few cm's short and gets beaten 1v1 to often. O'Brien hasn't been the answer either and the Schache experiment seems to have dropped off. That leaves us with Gardi, who has done a pretty good job this year considering the way we have defended as team. He's tracking in the right direction.

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Originally Posted by ratsmac

Cordy was always a few cm's short and gets beaten 1v1 to often.

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Never noticed he wasn't tall enough

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Originally Posted by bornadog

Never noticed he wasn't tall enough

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You really need to stop being so open minded.

I think you need to start taking a more black and white approach when it comes to key position players and height.

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Originally Posted by azabob

You really need to stop being so open minded.

I think you need to start taking a more black and white approach when it comes to key position players and height.

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Then he'd be a Pies' supporter.

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Originally Posted by jeemak

Some of the commentary around him when he started was pretty full on, and irrational. But, as I say that I remember the majority of people watching him during those times were going through some pretty weird shit with lockdowns (remember those) and the mindlessness of watching football in slippery conditions in a shortened format.

He's come along well and I quite like him as a third string tall. We just need to find someone really good so he doesn't have to be a first or second string tall.

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Strongly agree with this. I'll admit my early opinion of Gards was very low and didn't see a long term future for him with us but he now has won me over. Ideally suited as a second or third kpd and not the main man. Seems to know his role and plays it quite well with good closing speed and a timely fist. Gun defenders get beaten by gun forwards more often than not so he will be made to look a bit silly at times, it happens, accept it.

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Originally Posted by jeemak

Some of the commentary around him when he started was pretty full on, and irrational. But, as I say that I remember the majority of people watching him during those times were going through some pretty weird shit with lockdowns (remember those) and the mindlessness of watching football in slippery conditions in a shortened format.

He's come along well and I quite like him as a third string tall. We just need to find someone really good so he doesn't have to be a first or second string tall.

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Still some of that irrational crap on facebook.

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Originally Posted by ratsmac

I think he is our best tall defender right now. Keath's form this year isn't great, Cordy was always a few cm's short and gets beaten 1v1 to often. O'Brien hasn't been the answer either and the Schache experiment seems to have dropped off. That leaves us with Gardi, who has done a pretty good job this year considering the way we have defended as team. He's tracking in the right direction.

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Chief looks properly banged up. Spends quite a bit of time with the physio doing runs.

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Originally Posted by dadsgirl16

Nearly come to fisticuffs with a really good friend over Gardi! (the invite to Yarraville nets was almost forthcoming)

I think he has improved a great deal and becomes everyone's whipping boy far too often

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He has and I understand and appreciate your position but he is an AFL key defender and while he does a lot of good things he still panics a bit too much for my liking one on one. Hopefully the upward trend continues.