Yesterday's game (and earlier articles) got me thinking about a kid I really hope makes it - Ryan Gardner.

He's followed the Joel Hamling route somewhat (ex Geelong, stuck behind others, delisted), and after a few shaky games last year and at the start of this year he's starting to grow into his role. I thought it was telling we left him in defence and tried both Keath and Cordy up the ground.
He's worked three jobs after his delisting, been through all the lows of footy and now gets to play finals footy.

A trading period or two ago we needed a KPD and we asked the question about a kid who doesn't really take intercept marks but was no 1 in the competition for spoils - Dougal Howard. He's quick, can play on mid sizers and generally just gets the job done with little to put onto his highlight reel. He seems the prototype for the type of player Gardner could develop into.

Is there anyone else we chased, missed out on, but then found a guy who can play a similar role?

(In before someone says Matthew Bate...)