Jack Gardiner began his senior football career with Carlton in 1900 at the age of 17.
His father played with Carlton in the 1870's both in and prior to the VFA. His
brother Vin also played with Carlton playing for about 154 games. In 1902 Jack
Gardiner transferred to Melbourne where he remained for 5 years until he accepted the appointment as Tasmanian Football League coach and umpire in 1908.
Following the completion of his umpiring duties for that season he went back to
Melbourne and played the rest of the VFL season with Melbourne.
Jack also coached the inaugural Tasmanian carnival team in 1908 when Tasmania won the second division of the carnival.
He was assisted by Northwest Coast coach Dick Gibson.
The 1908 Tasmanian carnival team. Jack Gardiner is second from left in the third row. Bruce Carter is pictured fourth from right in the second row. Algy Tynan is third from right in the back row while HK Littler is sitting next to carter.
He returned in 1909 to Tasmania and decided to
play football again accepting the captaincy of Cananore thus beginning his
association with Bruce Carter. In those days teams often had Captains and Vice
Captain/Coaches and Gardiner suggested that Carter be offered the job as coach. They became a famous combination.
In 1909, Cananore, the team that had not won a match in the previous season, did not lose a match. It was the start of a great era that will probably never be surpassed.
At the helm of the "Canaries" as Cananore were known they went on to win the premiership in 1909,1910 and 1911 winning the State flag as well in 1910.
The 1910 Cananore team - TFL and State premiers. Jack Gardiner is pictured sitting in the middle holding the shield. Sitting next to him fourth from the right in the second row is Bruce Carter.
The 1911 Cananore team - TFL premiers. Jack Gardiner is pictured sitting in the middle holding the shield. Sitting next to him fourth from the right in the second row is Bruce Carter.
Jack Gardiner also represented Tasmania again in the 1911 carnival team as captain.
Jack Gardiner is pictured sitting in the middle of the second row. Also in the team were Algy Tynan who is pictured second from right in the back row.
The Gardiner/Carter combination again tasted success in 1913 taking Cananore to another premiership despite Jack playing only a handful of games.
He returned again to umpiring in 1914. In 1915 he returned to Cananore for one
season.
During the first world war he organised the Southern Tasmanian Football Association, captaining City during this period.
When football resumed in 1919 Jack took up the reins at Cananore again from 1920 to 1923 steering them to
TFL and State premierships in 1921 and 1922. After the 1923 season club members
went to the mainland and signed up a new coach called Sid James who proved to be
a dud. Jack Gardiner was incensed by this betrayal and left the club so enraged
he handed in his life membership.
Cananore - 1921 TFL and State premiers - Jack Gardiner is pictured sitting in the middle of the front row with the premiership cup. Also pictured sitting next to him fourth from the right is Horrie Gorringe. Sitting on the floor in front of Gorringe is Hec Smith and standing in the second row third from right is Fred Pringle. Jack Charlesworth is pictured fourth from left in the second row.
The 1921 Cananore premiership at North Hobart Oval on grand final day.
Jack Gardiner in the grand final day lineup on North Hobart Oval.
In 1924 Jack Gardiner
moved to coach North Hobart for two years taking over from Les Stevens. His
first season he played as non playing coach and in 1925 he was playing coach at
42 years of age playing 10 games during the season. He also took on the job of
club secretary during that season and continued in this capacity in 1926.
He retired from playing football in 1925 aged 42.
After coaching North he coached Kingston, New Norfolk , Hobart High School, Friends School, St.Virgils College and Cananore seconds.
In later years Jack was Secretary of Hobart and a League delegate in 1950-51.
He had also served on the Cananore committee from 1909 to 1913 and again from 1919 to 1923. he formed the North Hobart Old Players Association in 1939 being President of the Cananore Old Players Association in 1954.
Jack Gardiner was a life member of Cananore and the League.
He was also a prominent cricket player and member of the Derwent club achieving
life membership of the TCA.
He died in Hobart in 1967 aged 84. His son Jack Junior also was a senior
footballer for Cananore and Lefroy and Tasmanian representative cricketer.
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