Darcy GARDINER

2017 Digest:   Developed into a strong-bodied defender and looking to build on top 10 in last year’s best and fairest.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

1	GCS	Played on a variety of opponents through defence and was defensively sound all evening.	5
2	Ess	Outpointed by Fantasia in first half before being more effective after the long break.	5
3	StK	Started on Membrey and gave Saints’ forwards too much room, early. Injured quad/knee in second term.	1
4	Rich	Did his best when leaping to spoil effectively on several occasions. The downside was lack of effective disposals and foot speed.	4
5		Calf.
6	Port	18 possessions, all uncontested was his haul. Also spoiled well in defence.	5
7	Syd	Manned Reid, who wasn’t a massive factor. Did his job, but provided little going forward.	4
8	Haw	Did manage to shut down O’Brien in the first half. Didn’t provide much offensively, though.	4
9	Adel	Undisciplined act off-ball two seconds before quarter time resulted Crows' goal. Never looked capable of holding Cameron.	5
10	Coll	Beaten by Elliott in first half and let frustration get better of him at times. Gave away a too many free kicks.	3
11		Bye.
12	Frem	Kept Kersten to just two first half kicks and a key cog in hard working defence.	6
13	Port	Had the difficult assignment of lining up on Robbie Gray, lucky for him Robbie was off target.	4
14	GWS	Stood Johnson with some effect while worked well out of defence and then had to tag Greene.	6
15	Ess	In trouble against Stewart early then dislocated elbow in second term and took no further part.	2
16		Elbow.
17		Elbow.
18	Carl	Quiet achiever. Vital part of the defence which kept Carlton to just three first-half goals.	5
19	WCE	Didn’t get involved enough until the Eagles were too far in front.	4
20	WB	Was groggy after landing heavily in a marking contest. Returned to field and took up his usual post in defence. Ok.	5
21	GCS	Cut up early by Martin. Later shifted on to Ainsworth where he had more success.	5
22	Melb	Kicked his first goal of the year early but played down back. Courageous spoiling a feature of his play.	5
23	NM	Okay down back without being exceptional.	5

2016 Season

1	WCE	Another young defender who was chasing a gun forward. Good luck.	3
2	NM	Had his hands full with Waite.	3
3	Geel	Did what he could down back in a solid effort, albeit under pressure in most contests.	5
4	GCS	In the wars. Wounded during game but still gave his all.	6
5	WB	Positioned himself well at times but gave away five free kicks in his desperation. Tried hard.	5
6	Syd	Slowly building a reputation as a close checking defender. Numbed Heeney early.	7
7	Port	Played as the plus-one in defence and read the game well.	5
8	Coll	Can lay claim to Fasolo having a quiet night but still needs to get the ball more often.	4
9		Finger.
10		Finger.
11		Finger.
12	Frem	Alternated opponents in defence and did OK.	4
13	WCE	Found the physical size of Darling and Kennedy beyond his level. Battled hard though.	5
14	Rich	Matched up on Deledio who started out of the goalsquare then had Cotchin. Toiled away.	4
16	GCS	Defensively OK on a variety of opponents.	4
17	GWS	Spent a lot of time shadowing Johnson to some effect.	5
18	Ess	Didn’t have a massive outing down back but didn’t do too much wrong.	5
19		Ankle.
20	Adel	Tough tussle with Betts conceding four goals.	4
21	Carl	Gutsy effort to play on after appearing to suffer a shoulder injury early in the match.	6
22	Geel	Plugged away down back on Henderson among others. Held his own.	5
23	StK	Applied some misplaced vigour early in defence, but then disappeared.	3

2015 Season

1		Shoulder.
2		Shoulder.
3	Rich	Low stats despite being in defence. Subbed out in third term.	3
4	WCE	Tried hard in an under-manned defence.	5
5	GCS	Found the going tough against Dixon. Good learning experience.	2
6	Carl	Gave away one goal through stupidity but fought hard to play his role.	4
7	Port	Possibly the only Lions defender to struggle.	4
8	Ess	Spirited defender who jousted with Daniher and others early.	4
9		Calf.
10		Calf.
11		Calf.
12	NEAFL	Defended well on return from calf niggle.	–
13	NEAFL	Had work cut out for him at times down back.	–
14	Frem	Competed hard on return to senior team in defence.	6
15	Syd	Serious arm injury ended his night late in first term.	1
16		Shoulder.
17		Shoulder.
18		Shoulder.
19		Shoulder.
20		Shoulder.
21		Shoulder.
22		Shoulder.
23		Shoulder.

2014 Season

1	PM	Played down back and competed hard.	–
2	NEAFL	Learning experience at NEAFL level, competed well.	–
3	NEAFL	Staunch game in defence.	–
4	NEAFL	Tried hard on Cleve Hughes but overwhelmed.	–
5	Rich	Tough ask in first game to have defensive role on Martin. Beaten but spirited.	4
6	StK	Young half-back again showed he has a hard edge.	3
7	Syd	Rookie (third game) who found the going a bit hot.	4
8	Ess	Started on another youngster in Ambrose and not prominent.	4
9	NM	Youngster wasn’t the worst.	4
11	Carl	Didn’t have a big game.	3
12	WB	Had Grant and did well but barely touched the ball. Spent a lot of time wrestling.	4
13	GWS	Only occasionally sighted at half back.	3
14	Frem	Started on Sylvia and copped a corkie, but had little use of ball. Subbed off.	2
15		Rested.
16	Rich	Showed a willingness to compete and throw his body at the contest.	6
17	WCE	Had no real influence.	4
18	GCS	Serviceable in defence as he continues developing.	4
19	Melb	Got more of the ball than he is used to and was assured by foot.	5
20	Adel	Topped stats in first quarter. Hardly sighted after that.	4
21	Coll	Tough effort in defence. Worked off man well before being subbed out.	5
22	Frem	Only three touches in second half when Brisbane were more competitive.	4
23	Geel	Copped a heavy hit early when ball hit him in head. Never looked right.	2
QF		–
SF		–
PF		–
GF		–