Gardiner’s solo mission
Tall order for in- form Lions defender facing Freo without his injured mate
DARCY Gardiner says the excitement of playing at Perth’s new Optus Stadium has overtaken his misgivings about going into battle against Fremantle without defensive linchpin Harris Andrews.
Andrews will miss at least two matches due to a severe concussion suffered when he was elbowed in the head by Giant forward Jeremy Cameron ( pictured right) at the Gabba last Saturday.
Although Dan McStay has been named to return in defence, it would not surprise if he played forward leaving Gardiner as primary key defender.
All the talk this year has been of Andrews’s elevation to elite status and he was on track for his first All Australian jumper before he was knocked out last week.
But Gardiner is also in the middle of a career- best season.
He has taken the best forward in the past, he played on both Cameron and Swan Lance Franklin this year, but each time he had Andrews patrolling the back fifty.
There was a time when the absence of a player such as Andrews would create panic among the back six but Gardiner says the pressure further up the ground had improved under Chris Fagan and the defenders did not feel as under siege as early in his career.
“Obviously, it hurts a lot, the way Harris has been playing is outstanding and he will leave a big hole down there,’’ he said.
“We all have to try work to help each other out.
“But we know the team defence is a key for us and it will be a focus again this week and we have trust that whoever comes in will know their role and how to perform it. We play the same way in the NEAFL as we do in the seniors and it means players can come in and fill a position and slot in to do the job.’’
“It is always a tough trip going to Perth but this is one we are really looking forward to. We haven’t been to the new stadium yet and I can’t wait to play there.’’
Fremantle appear to be on the rise again and have won six games to be just outside the eight. Brisbane are also receiving positive reviews from football commentators about their list rebuild and potential for the future but, unlike the Dockers, have yet to convert that to wins.
Gardiner said there was no panic in the Lions camp despite just the one victory over Hawthorn because every player could see a bright future.
“When you look at it externally that’s probably what people think but internally we trust what we are doing is right,’’ he said.
“We have definitely improved a hell of a lot, and we have stats that back that up, we desperately want a win, that’s what we are out there for. But it is not the be all and end all at this point in our development.’’