FORMER Geelong player Ryan Gardner has been thrown an AFL lifeline by the Western Bulldogs in Monday night’s mid-season draft.
Gardner, who was delisted by the Cats after three seasons without playing a game, has been playing with the Dogs’ VFL affiliate Footscray, while also being aligned to GFL club Bell Park.
They used pick No.6 to secure the 21-year-old.
Drafted by Geelong with pick No.59 in the 2015 National Draft from Tasmanian club Burnie, Gardner, who turns 22 on Saturday, failed to play an AFL game with the Cats, but made 52 VFL appearances.
Starting as a defender at Kardinia Park, he was swung forward with some success in the middle of last year, finishing with 20 goals, including six against the Northern Blues.
He has played six games for eight goals with the Bulldogs.
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Email: kingy@geelongbroadcasters.com
