Super Ade Gardner : Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:29 pm  

You disrespectful tools haven't put anything on here about Ade's retirement I see. I think he deserves far more than that.

He was a player who when he initially signed looked like he could be world class. He looked very similar to Alan Hunte, another favourite of mine. Whilst a couple of injuries meant he never had that top level pace, he was still a fantastic finisher. His commitment to the club was always there and displayed later on in his career when his declining pace meant he was reduced to playing as an extra forward and carting the first and third tackles back, always with a blatant disregard for his health.

A few moments stand out for me. A length of the field run up the middle in a cup semi final against Huddersfield at Warrington is one, his leap against Brisbane to score in the WCC another. Anyone got any old photos of these moments or youtube clips?

Anyway, congratulations on the new job Ade, good to see you staying on as a Saint.

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:28 am  

Luckiest wing in RL

Playing outside centres like Willie Talau, then Lyon, then Gidley made him look much better than he ever was. I'd have scored a good few outside them!

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:36 am  

Decent winger. Never really lived up to his potential but did terrific for saints.

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Sat Nov 08, 2014 8:09 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

Luckiest wing in RL

Playing outside centres like Willie Talau, then Lyon, then Gidley made him look much better than he ever was. I'd have scored a good few outside them!

Quotes like this always make me laugh...

Obviously in terms of finishing tries, a lot of chances are created for wingers by centres so naturally playing outside a top class centre is going to create more try scoring opportunities. The winger has still got to finish those chances off (granted sometimes the majority of work has been done for them), but to imply Ade only ever scored tries/looked good because of his centres is just a joke.

I don't recall Lyon or Gidley sitting Gardner on their shoulders or giving him a boost up to jump in the air (for the countless tries he scored for us from kicks)...and I lost track of how many times Ade out jumped everyone to score - don't think many were better in the air than Ade was. His work rate & defence was generally good too and whilst never what you would call a "flashy" winger Ade consistently did a good job for us for a lot of years.

Obviously by your logic, Martin Offiah for example was only good because of the world class centres he was lucky enough to play outside of, and maybe Sullivan only ever looked good at Saints because of Newlove??

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Sat Nov 08, 2014 8:17 am  

wakey_saint wrote:

Quotes like this always make me laugh...

Obviously in terms of finishing tries, a lot of chances are created for wingers by centres so naturally playing outside a top class centre is going to create more try scoring opportunities. The winger has still got to finish those chances off (granted sometimes the majority of work has been done for them), but to imply Ade only ever scored tries/looked good because of his centres is just a joke.

I don't recall Lyon or Gidley sitting Gardner on their shoulders or giving him a boost up to jump in the air (for the countless tries he scored for us from kicks)...and I lost track of how many times Ade out jumped everyone to score - don't think many were better in the air than Ade was. His work rate & defence was generally good too and whilst never what you would call a "flashy" winger Ade consistently did a good job for us for a lot of years.

Obviously by your logic, Martin Offiah for example was only good because of the world class centres he was lucky enough to play outside of, and maybe Sullivan only ever looked good at Saints because of Newlove??

How did Ade play when our run of world class centres ended when Gidley left? Average winger, but we could afford for him to be because of the centres. Great clubman and professional though

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Sat Nov 08, 2014 8:28 am  

A good wing mans centre certainly helps but in ades younger days he was very very fast. He wasn't far off Albert in terms of pace but injuries took their toll and he went to big IMO.

Finishing tries is art and not just as easy as it looks. You need to put yourself in that position whether thsts staying outside your centre or coming inside. His understanding of his centres was excellent.

Don't forget he was very very brave as well.

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Sat Nov 08, 2014 8:32 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

How did Ade play when our run of world class centres ended when Gidley left? Average winger, but we could afford for him to be because of the centres. Great clubman and professional though

Gidley left at end of 2010...Gardner had picked up season ending injuries by the end of May in both 2011 & 2012 so missed over half a season both those years. By 2013, Tommy had broken through and taken his place (deservedly so). In total Ade only played 37 games for us after Gidley retired in 2010, scoring 19 tries, so to say he hasn't done anything since then is a tad harsh considering his run or injuries

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Sat Nov 08, 2014 11:12 am  

The lack of respect for a good servant to the club is astounding. In his younger days he was as good a British winger that we had. Injuries meant he never reached the heights of his potential, but he always gave 100% and for that alone I thank him for his service to Saints and wish him well in the future. Glad to see he is remaining at "The Greatest club in the world".

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:41 pm  

wakey_saint wrote:

Quotes like this always make me laugh...

Obviously in terms of finishing tries, a lot of chances are created for wingers by centres so naturally playing outside a top class centre is going to create more try scoring opportunities. The winger has still got to finish those chances off (granted sometimes the majority of work has been done for them), but to imply Ade only ever scored tries/looked good because of his centres is just a joke.

I don't recall Lyon or Gidley sitting Gardner on their shoulders or giving him a boost up to jump in the air (for the countless tries he scored for us from kicks)...and I lost track of how many times Ade out jumped everyone to score - don't think many were better in the air than Ade was. His work rate & defence was generally good too and whilst never what you would call a "flashy" winger Ade consistently did a good job for us for a lot of years.

Obviously by your logic, Martin Offiah for example was only good because of the world class centres he was lucky enough to play outside of, and maybe Sullivan only ever looked good at Saints because of Newlove??

He openly admits his centres made him look good. I agree with his aerial attributes, he should have played basketball. How dare you mention the likes of Offiah and Sullivan in a post about Gardner. Anyway good luck to the guy he was a loyal servant.

Re: Super Ade Gardner : Tue Nov 11, 2014 3:36 pm  

During the 2006 ear, he was simply imperious under a high ball, whether it be in attack or defence.
His finishing was also very strong and he often showed amazing strength to touch down in the corner under heavy traffic (in the days when the corner flag was out).

Just because he's not Ryan hall, doesn't mean he owes it all to his his centres. Very good on his day and adjusted his physical game to compensate for any loss of pace.

It wasn't Jamie Lyon or Matt Gidley that came up with one of the tackles of the season to smash Dan Sarginson t'other month.