Tassie young gun picked in mid-season draft

A Tasmanian young gun has been given another chance at the big league after he was snapped up by the Bulldogs in the AFL mid-season draft.

TASMANIAN Ryan Gardner’s AFL career has been revitalized by the Western Bulldogs at the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft but the other 12 home-grown players will have to go on dreaming.

Gardner, 21, was taken at pick six in last night’s draft, snapped up by the Bulldogs from their VFL affiliate Footscray.

Gardner was a promising key defender when he came through the ranks at Burnie Dockers and the Tassie Mariners in 2015, but has also added rucking and key forward to his curriculum vitae.

Ryan Gardner in full flight at Geelong. Picture: ARJ GIESE

The 197cm Tasmanian’s height, marking and closing speed caught the eye of Geelong in the 2015 draft.

He was snapped up by the Cats at pick 59 and spent three years at the Cattery as a key position player.

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Mathew Armstrong coached the rookie bigman at the Tassie Mariners and thought he had the right stuff to be an AFL player.

“He was a great competitor, a great athlete and we played him as a key defender but he was also able to roll forward in games,” Armstrong said.

“It’s a great opportunity for him. He must have been playing well in the VFL. I know he’s been kicking goals as a forward.

“I always thought he had the talent to be an AFL player.

“He had all the attributes — he was 197cm and could run and could catch it.

“It’s great to see him get a second opportunity.”

Ryan Gardner works hard in the VFL. Picture: CORMAC HANRAHAN

Gardner played 52 games for the Cats’ VFL side, but was one of six players delisted by Geelong last year along with Stewart Crameri, Aaron Black, Cory Gregson, Matthew Hayball and Timm House.

The Bulldogs said last night: “Known for his competitiveness, athleticism and versatility, Gardner has impressed in his appearances for Footscray.

“He kicked eight goals in his first three matches this season, and has also spent time in defence and in the ruck.

“He was a durable performer for the Cats at AFL level.”

Tasmanians playing interstate who also nominated for the draft were Mackenzie Willis (Southport), Jesse Lonergan (Woodville-West Torrens), Mitch Hibberd (Williamstown), Baxter Norton (Werribee) and Brady Grey (West Coast).

Local players who nominated were Mitch Anderton (Lauderdale), Nic Baker (Lauderdale), Lachlan Gadomski (Kingborough), Ethan Jackson (Clarence), Corey Laoumtzis (Lauderdale), Kieran Lovell (Kingborough) and Sam Siggins (Lauderdale).

Originally published as Tassie young gun picked in mid-season draft