John Worsfold is happy to see that former Eagles bad boy Michael Gardiner could be selected for St Kilda in its clash with West Coast this weekend.
With Justin Koschitzke suspended for a match for striking Hawthorn's Michael Osborne last Saturday night, Saints coach Ross Lyon raised the possibility that Gardiner, who has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in Round 12, could be selected to play his ninth game this season against his former club.
But Worsfold said he didn't think Gardiner would have a point to prove against the Eagles despite the club letting him go in 2006 after 129 matches due to a combination of injury and a series of off-field indiscretions.
"I think he'd be excited about it," acknowledged Worsfold on Wednesday. "But, I think he's been around long enough, he'll be jut rapt if he's selected and back playing AFL."
"I mean, I haven't spoken to Michael directly but we've followed how he's going and from all accounts, he's going extremely well both on and off the field which is great."
"I hope he doesn't come out and play to his ability 'cause he's a very good footballer ... but I'm certainly glad to see him back and up and going."
Worsfold denied any ill-feeling towards Gardiner, despite the player being heavily involved with the drinking and drug culture at the club that eventually led to Ben Cousins' departure last year and two inquiries into the Eagles' off-field behaviour.
"I'm rapt for him," said Worsfold. "And, (his departure) it wasn't that acrimonious, it was a decision that we made and I think Michael understood why."
"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 I didn't hold any hard feelings against him 'cause we're all different," Worsfold said.