Blessed with high marking and strong hands, as well as having no trouble kicking the ball 50 metres on the fly even into the wind, Lindner made his league debut for West Adelaide on 16 June 1980 but failed to cement his place in the top side, playing only 4 games and kicking 2 goals for a season mainly spent in the reserves.
Following this, Lindner was given his chance by senior coach Neil Kerley and he became a regular in Wests top side in 1982, playing 15 games and kicking 37 goals.
This, combined with their fast and skillful ruck and mid-field plus a tough back line saw The Bloods win 18 of their 22 minor round games to finish minor premiers and easily won their way into the 1983 SANFL Grand Final with a 76-point win over reigning premiers Norwood in the Second Semi-final.
Playing at half forward in the Grand Final in front of 47,129 fans at Football Park, Lindner kicked five goals, including a 60-metre goal from the centre square only seconds before the final siren, described by Channel 7 TV commentator Robert Oatey as having "really pile driven this one", as West defeated Sturt 21.16.
Lindner first represented South Australia during 1983, playing a starring role in the win over Victoria at Football Park after coming into the side as a late replacement for Norwood full forward Neville Roberts.
Lindner later played for the Croweaters in their loss to Western Australia at Perth's Subiaco Oval during the 1983 round robin series.
Despite being a noted goal kicker, he mostly played in the backline in 1991 and was among The Bloods best players as their form continued by defeating defending premiers Port Adelaide 24.12 (156) to 10.7 (67) in the Elimination Final.
Lindner left Geelong after the 1990 season and returned home to South Australia to play for the newly formed Adelaide Football Club.