Michael Gardiner
| Michael Gardiner | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael Strickland Gardiner | ||
| Date of birth | 5 July 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Albany, Western Australia | ||
| Original team(s) | Claremont (WAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 1, 1996 National Draft (West Coast) | ||
| Height | 199 cm (6 ft 6 in) | ||
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Ruckman | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1997–2006 | West Coast | 129 (87) | |
| 2007–2011 | St Kilda | 52 (23) | |
| Total | 181 (110) | ||
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1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2011.
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| Career highlights | |||
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| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Michael Strickland Gardiner (born 5 July 1979) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles and the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Originally from Albany, Western Australia, Gardiner played for the Claremont Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) before being drafted by West Coast with the number-one pick in the 1996 National Draft. He made his debut for the club in 1997, and over the next seasons replaced Ryan Turnbull as the club's first-choice ruckman. After being named in the All-Australian team in 2003, Gardiner missed most of the 2004 season due to injury. Loss of form and a series of off-field controversies led to him being traded to St Kilda at the end of the 2006 season, having played total of 129 games for West Coast. During his time at St Kilda, Gardiner added another 52 games, including St Kilda's 2009 and 2010 losing grand final teams, before retiring at the end of the 2011 season.
Gardiner was born in Albany, Western Australia, and played junior football for the Royals Football Club before heading to Perth Western Australia to play for Claremont Football Club in the WAFL.
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