SA Footy

Gardiner fined, suspended
5:21:19 PM Tue 18 July, 2006
Ashley Browne
Sportal for afl.com.au
West Coast has slapped an indefinite suspension and a $5000 fine on ruckman Michael Gardiner following his involvement in a traffic accident in Perth overnight.

Gardiner was breath-tested by police on the scene after his car hit a traffic sign and crashed into two parked cars.

The $5000 sanction is the most allowable under the AFL's agreement with the AFLPA.

The Eagles released a statement expressing 'concern' about the incident. It said Gardiner had made a 'very serious mistake has let himself, his club and his teammates down.'

"Of greatest concern is Michael's depressed mental state and the club intends to further assist him to ensure that he gets the appropriate counselling and off-field direction required to get his life in order," the statement said.


The 27-year-old has played the last two matches for the Eagles after being banished from the side at the start of the season by coach John Worsfold for disciplinary reasons. Gardiner was caught drinking by the club on the eve of a practice match and was sent back to WAFL club Claremont for nearly half a season.

Along with former skipper Ben Cousins, he has also faced criticism in the past for his alleged association with a group of Perth criminals.

Gardiner's suspension means West Coast will enter Saturday afternoon's Telstra Dome clash against Collingwood minus its two best ruckman. All Australian big man Dean Cox will miss at least another month with a broken collarbone.

As long as there has been sport/movie stars, there's been their associations with organised crime figures. This isn't exactly any big secret in regards to Gardiner, it's common knowledge in Perth.
His penalty is proof that Ben Cousins was right to run. No incentive to do the right thing when you can run and escape a harsher penalty.
The story regarding his state of mind is just a spin to justify his actions.

Gardiner and Cousins in a car who's driving ?
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The police.
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[if at once you dont succeed .........]

ORDoubleBlues wrote:As long as there has been sport/movie stars, there's been their associations with organised crime figures. This isn't exactly any big secret in regards to Gardiner, it's common knowledge in Perth.
His penalty is proof that Ben Cousins was right to run. No incentive to do the right thing when you can run and escape a harsher penalty.
The story regarding his state of mind is just a spin to justify his actions.

Thats why West Coast Eagles are considered a
great running team !

mal wrote:

ORDoubleBlues wrote:As long as there has been sport/movie stars, there's been their associations with organised crime figures. This isn't exactly any big secret in regards to Gardiner, it's common knowledge in Perth.
His penalty is proof that Ben Cousins was right to run. No incentive to do the right thing when you can run and escape a harsher penalty.
The story regarding his state of mind is just a spin to justify his actions.

Thats why West Coast Eagles are considered a
great running team !

Especially given the actions of Quinten Lynch (similar to Cousins but didn't get the publicity as he wasn't considered a gun at the time) a couple of years ago to boot!

I reckon Carlton will be so desperate they'll try and pick him up in the off season

What a half forward line:

PICKETT.............GARDINER.............JOHNCOCK

mal wrote:What a half forward line:

PICKETT.............GARDINER.............JOHNCOCK

Don't forget their full forward line of

COUSINS..............LYNCH...............SCHULZ

ORDoubleBlues wrote:

mal wrote:What a half forward line:

PICKETT.............GARDINER.............JOHNCOCK

Don't forget their full forward line of

COUSINS..............LYNCH...............SCHULZ

Caught by the ordouble blues bus.

Almost as good as when Wayne Carey was going to be moving to Port Power instead of the Crows a few years back, to join a couple of his mates.

The starting lineup may well have included:

Carey

Lade

Stevens

Maddogmike wrote:Almost as good as when Wayne Carey was going to be moving to Port Power instead of the Crows a few years back, to join a couple of his mates.

The starting lineup may well have included:

Carey

Lade

Stevens

Lucky there wasn't a bloke with the name "Wife"....

St Kilda Half foward line

MONTEGNA SOMEPOORBITCH MILNE

regards,

REB

Rik E Boy wrote:St Kilda Half foward line

MONTEGNA SOMEPOORBITCH MILNE

regards,

REB

And their skills coach no doubt Gary Ablett.

What a Dill !!!

Cant believe it only took him to weeks to f%&* up !!!

Fremantle will try for Gardiner. Will trade him for Byron Schammer and Matthew Pavlich. LOL

Squawk wrote:Fremantle will try for Gardiner. Will trade him for Byron Schammer and Matthew Pavlich. LOL

& offer WC a 1st round darft pick!

Squawk wrote:Fremantle will try for Gardiner. Will trade him for Byron Schammer and Matthew Pavlich. LOL

Don't ******* laugh they got another has been Weagles Ruckman (Hynes) and in return didn't the Eagles get Wirrapunda with that draft pick????

1980 Tassie Medalist wrote:

Squawk wrote:Fremantle will try for Gardiner. Will trade him for Byron Schammer and Matthew Pavlich. LOL

Don't ******* laugh they got another has been Weagles Ruckman (Hynes) and in return didn't the Eagles get Wirrapunda with that draft pick????

No, they also had to trade A McLeod to Adelaide for Chris Groom as a part of the deal...

I would not be suprised if a club takes a punt on him

My opinion is, it is comon knowledge that he is mixed up with a bad social element in WA, so if you take him out of that environment, in to a new environment, he may be half a chance...

We have all made our mistakes in life, the microscope has been on HIM for sometime, maybe after this latest incident he might show some character and get his life back on track, new footy environment outside of WA may help

maybe worth a risk