EX-CAT’S NEW LEASH OF LIFE
Geelong discard in ‘disbelief’ as grand final chance looms, writes Toby Prime
Three years at Geelong and not being able to get a game. Mentally, I probably thought, ‘am I ever going to get a go anywhere?’ – Ryan Gardner
WHAT do Joel Hamling and Ryan Gardner have in common?
A few things.
Both are no-fuss defenders.
Both had three years on Geelong’s list but were delisted without playing an AFL game.
And both were given a second chance at the Western Bulldogs, Hamling going on to feature in the 2016 flag in his 23rd game.
For Gardner, it would be his 22nd game if the Dogs play off in the decider.
“When I got delisted at Geelong, I had a really heartfelt conversation with (former Cats player welfare officer) David Johnson, who told me about Joel Hamling,” Gardner said.
“He had a similar thing happen to him – he got delisted and went to another club, obviously to the Western Bulldogs, and made a career out of himself from being delisted.
“I thought a similar thing that if I can do something similar to what he can do, obviously that would be great.”
Gardner is in “disbelief” as he prepares for Saturday night’s preliminary final against Port Adelaide.
He was delisted by Geelong at the end of 2018 and then juggled three jobs, including steam cleaning carpets with Johnson.
“He was an absolute workhorse,” Johnson said. “He did a few big jobs. We had solid days. We would drive up to Central NSW and do a whole heap of schools … which is a big job.
“He was so reliable and such a workhorse.”
Gardner juggled work with an opportunity to play VFL with Footscray in 2019 (he also signed with Bell Park as an aligned player) and was promoted to the senior list in the mid-season draft.
The following day he was told he would be making his AFL debut.
“Three years at Geelong and not being able to get a game. Mentally, I probably thought ‘am I ever going to get a go anywhere?’ ” he said.
“Then to be able to get on another list, just that growth in my game and now to actually be playing consistent AFL football.”
By his own admission, Gardner’s first few games “didn’t go the way I would have liked”.
Bulldogs fans were quick to express their doubts on social media but the former Cat has since become one of the side’s most improved players.
He won’t fill the stat sheet with Jack Macrae-type numbers.
His game is measured by his ability to win one-on-one contests and influence defensively.
“Definitely was very nervous playing and didn’t have the confidence I needed,” he said of his AFL start.
“There was a lot of external noise around why I was getting a game.
“I had the belief in my ability and that everyone in the club believed in me as well. They were the only kind of people I needed to listen to.
“I just tried to block out all that external noise. I think that’s what’s really helped me get to where I am at the moment.
“I feel really confident in my ability and I know if I can keep playing the way that the team needs me to, I’ll get the job done.”
Gardner has been one of the key members of the Bulldogs’ defence this finals series.
But there’s been a few sliding doors moments cross his mind this week as he quarantines in Perth, chipping away at his architecture degree.
He has had both shoulders operated on this season, the second of which came after the round 15 win over West Coast and left him in a race against time to be fit for finals.
The Tasmanian was then ruled out of selection late in the season as he had visited a Tier 2 exposure site.
And he only received a call-up for the elimination final against Essendon
as Zaine Cordy was a late out with illness.
“My whole year really in a way has been up and down in terms of injury, play a couple of games and then I’m unlucky and have the exact same (injury) happen to my other shoulder,” Gardner said.
“Again with Zaine getting sick and I’m in to play, it’s been one crazy kind of year.”
Johnson, as he experienced on the tools with Gardner cleaning carpets, took a shine to his work ethic in his final year at Geelong and believed he had more to offer.
“I just wanted him to know he shouldn’t give up on his dream of playing at the highest level,” he said.
“It just so happened the perfect example happened a year or two before that in Joel Hamling going to the Bulldogs. He was in a similar position. He was thinking of giving it away as well and he ended up sticking to it and obviously most of us are aware of the success he had.”
A win on Saturday night and Gardner will be dreaming of having a premiership medal in common with Hamling.