Gardner finished 7th in our best and fairest in 2022, basically the only year on our list that he was fit throughout the year.
I think we can question his ability to stay fit, both in terms of staying on the park but also as an athletic player who provides value largely out of being an athlete more than a skilled footballer, that a bit of drop off of prime athletic fitness inhibits him as a player, but overall, this idea that he isn't a solid AFL list quality player, or that if his contract wasn't so long we wouldn't be looking to offer him a new contract anyway (we would have) is a bit strange to me. His 2022 season is his runs on the board. It's a far more proven productive contribution at AFL level and far more recent than many other players beloved by many here that have never shown that output.
IF he can get himself fit, he will probably get an offer from another team….
He is basic depth and can play AFL, so won’t be worth more than a future third (or similar).