The 31-year-old has shouldered the brunt of the Saints’ ruck work this season and is the oldest player in the side that won the preliminary final.
He said on Monday he would make a decision on his playing future after the match and in the off-season.
If it were the end of the line, Gardiner said he felt fortunate that he had been able to revive a career that looked all but over when he was axed by West Coast in 2006.
He played 129 matches with the Eagles after being selected with the No.1 pick in the 1996 AFL national draft.
Gardiner said he was eternally grateful for the lifeline thrown to him by the Saints.
“It would have been pretty sad to end my career at the end of West Coast,” he said.
“I’ve been able to come here and make some ground up and play some reasonable footy for the club. It means a lot to me for the rest of my life,” he said.
“I had three or four years where I really struggled and didn’t play many games at AFL level. I’ve been able to string a few games together, especially in the last two years. You get that base fitness back, which is really good.”
Gardiner thanked coach Ross Lyon for having the faith to give him another chance at the elite level and said fitness guru Dave Misson had worked tirelessly to help him prolong his career.
“He (Misson) has been fantastic. I think [in] modern football now everyone has different programs and I think that has really suited me. One size doesn’t fit all,” he said.
“They’ve modified my program that fits me and it works really well, along with a few other people who have helped me out along the way.”
This week will be Gardiner’s third appearance in a grand final. He played in the losing Eagles side in 2005 and last year’s St Kilda loss to Geelong. He missed West Coast’s 2006 flag.
