ST KILDA ruckman Michael Gardiner remains a chance to face West Coast this Saturday, the club he played 129 games for, and Eagles coach John Worsfold is rapt the 29-year-old has re-established his career.

Gardiner was traded by West Coast at the end of 2006 for pick 43 in the NAB AFL Draft, but because of injury has only managed eight AFL games since.

Worsfold said the 2003 All-Australian had undoubted talent but consistently fell short of West Coast's off-field expectations.

"It (Gardiner's departure) wasn't acrimonious, it was a decision that we made and I think Michael understood why," Worsfold said on Wednesday.

"He wasn't able to live the values that we were looking for and consistently fell short in those areas. So it was a pretty straightforward decision for us to make.

"(But) we didn't hold any hard feelings against him, because we’re all different."

Worsfold said he had followed Gardiner's battle to re-establish himself as an AFL player in Melbourne and was not surprised his former first choice ruckman had turned things around.

"I haven't spoken to Michael directly, but we've followed how he's going," Worsfold said.

"And from all accounts he's going extremely well both on and off the field. He's enjoying life and doing well.

"I hope he doesn't come out and play to his ability (this week), because he was a very good footballer, but I'm certainly glad to see him up and going."

If St Kilda coach Ross Lyon does opt for Gardiner as the replacement for suspended Justin Koschitzke it will also give Dean Cox the chance to face his former teammate and ruck mentor.

"He (Cox) learnt a lot. Michael was the number one ruckman here as Dean joined the club and was coming through so I'm sure he learnt a fair bit," Worsfold said.

"Michael Gardiner was an All-Australian ruckman, and Dean Cox has stepped up into that role the last couple of years."

Click here to view Worsfold's press conference