GARDINER, Ralph

Balfour Gardiner, known as "Ralph", was a rover and half-forward who came from North Melbourne in the VFA. Prior to that he had played at Lang Lang.

He played three games in 1920. He kicked off the 1921 season with three goals in a draw against Melbourne in the opening round. He played four more consecutive games for a total of eight games.

Although Teddy Gardiner took over Ralph's number 10 in 1921, there is no evidence that they were related.

Ralph was one of five Essendon players who served in both World War I and World War II. He served with the Light Horse in the Middle East in World War I and with the 2nd AIF in World War II.

It's ironic that he survived two world wars but died in Sydney Hospital on the 3rd May, 1945, after being knocked over by a motor cyclist when alighting from a tram. He was only 48 years old.