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Gardiner a "must" for Australian team
MEMO Australian Rugby League selectors: Don't let your prejudice against Queensland show when looking for wingers for the World Series team.
Queensland winger Brian Gardiner is the man you are looking for and, after all, he will probably in Sydney next season. Easts are the quiet tip.
Gardiner looked good last year- this year he really is the goods.
There is not an astute judge in Queensland, no matter what club or district he is from, who does not have Gardiner in his own Australian team.
The unfortunate thing for Queensland is that he is almost certain to accept a Sydney contract in 1978.
His contract ends with Redcliffe this year and I don't think they've got the money to hold him.
But he's given three very valuable years' service to the Dolphins.... And he's learned a whole lot in return.
Gardiner told me last week what he really is settled on the Peninsula, with a new home and all, but he wants to secure his future.
The way to do that, of course, is to accept the best money available while it lasts; and it doesn't last that long for a Rugby League player, so I don't blame Gardiner for getting in for his chop now.
At 23 years of age Gardiner has plenty of time left to make a tidy sum - and good luck to him. Football has become Gardiner's life in the last two years.
He even sacrificed his Australian beach sprint title this year because it interfered with his football.
Gardiner just won the title in 1974, was disqualified for breaking in 1975, and won it back again last year.
But because the final would have clashed with the football season this year, Gardiner did not even bother to defend it.
" I won't be trying for it again next year either if it clashes with the football season again," Gardiner said last week.
" I would like to, but football comes first with me these days."
Gardiner admitted that he might make a comeback to professional running at the end of this football season, though.
He first started pro running in the 1972 North Sydney Gift.
But over the years, as with all top sprinters, his handicap dwindled to almost nothing.
When it reached 2 ¾ metres early last year, Gardiner felt he was trying to run through a brick wall - and gave it away.
But he is interested once again and is looking forward to the summer and a chance at the big money.
He is also hoping that his handicap might have improved a little.
There is little doubt that Gardiner is the top winger in Queensland today, but there are a couple of other wingers who are right on his heels.
Gardiner's wing partner in the Queensland team this week, John Callus, is one, and Souths' unlucky Mitch Brennan is another.
There is so little between the three that it must give selectors nightmares.
And we still haven't seen the best of bush boy, Noah Savuro at Lang Park yet.
But for mine Gardiner has his nose in front and I think he'll keep it there long enough to pull on an Australian jersey.... Hopefully, in the next few weeks.
By Keith Lawrie - May, 1977.
Article courtesy of Rugby League Week