From Sunday Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
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ST KILDA'S injury-prone ruckman Michael Gardiner emerged unscathed in his return VFL match and looms as a vital inclusion for the Saints in the run home to the AFL finals.
Not only did Gardiner get through the whole match yesterday, the former Eagle was also one of the most impressive. He dominated the hitouts for Sandringham 19-11 against former Western Bulldog and Hawk Wayde Skipper, who was playing for Port Melbourne yesterday.
Sandringham coach Brett Lovett said Gardiner's display, which netted 18 disposals and seven marks, has him in line for a recall to the Saints.
He said it was a vast improvement on his comeback game from a chronic knee injury and hamstring issues a fortnight ago when he struggled to get through the first half in the VFL.
''He's working his way back into fitness,'' Lovett said. ''He got his hand on the footy and got around the ground quite well with no signs of any soreness so that's a good positive for him.
''The Saints had a terrific win so he might find it hard to find a spot.
''After missing out for so much of the season, another game is probably not going to hurt him.''
There had been lingering doubts surrounding the 32-year-old and whether he could return to form and fitness following a knee injury sustained in last year's drawn grand final.
Gardiner's availability will provide the Saints with some much-needed ruck relief, after youngster Ben McEvoy has been forced to do most of the ruck work this season.
However, it wasn't all good news for the Saints yesterday as midfielder Andrew McQualter, who was dominant for Sandringham for much of the match, sustained a suspected broken collarbone in the final term and went to hospital for scans.
McQualter was the Zebras' best with 28 disposals before the injury.
''He [McQualter] played on the wing and really used the ball well,'' Lovett said. ''I thought after the first quarter, he really helped us get back into the game.''
Youngster Tommy Walsh also sustained a chest injury and went to hospital, while Nicky Winmar had concussion and came off the ground in a frenetic final term.
St Kilda midfielder Steven Baker was also one of the best for the Zebras yesterday with 12 disposals and shut down dangerous Port forward Patrick Rose. Jason Blake was also among the better players in the 24-point loss.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn midfielder Cameron Bruce is also in line for a recall after an impressive return from a knee injury for the Box Hill Hawks yesterday.
Bruce, who hasn't played for the Hawks since round five, collected 22 disposals and played about 80 per cent game time.
''He got through really well,'' Hawks development coach Damian Carroll said. ''He played the majority of game time and had some good touches.''
Clinton Young sustained a corked thigh but Carroll said he was likely to be available for selection for Hawthorn this week, as was Riley Milne who was impressive in Box Hill's 57-point win over the Northern Bullants yesterday.
Carroll said he was also impressed with Rick Ladson, who kicked two goals.
''Ladson was really good. He kicked two and he probably should've kicked four but he played as a real leader,'' he said.
Carlton's Setanta O'hAilpin got through the match unscathed and kicked two goals but was well held for most of the match by former Bulldog Jarrod Boumann.
Brock McLean and Jordan Russell were also among the better performers for the Bullants.
North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington was best on ground for North Ballarat in its 72-point win over the Coburg Tigers.
Lindsay Thomas also finished with four goals and was among the best in his second week in the VFL.
