Nathan Gardner (born 3 July 1990), also known by the nickname of "Gards", is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who has played in the 2000s and 2010s.

Gardner attended Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield a noted rugby league school.

[3][4][5] Gardner was signed by the Parramatta Eels for the 2008 season and began playing in their Toyota Cup (Under-20s) team.

[4] A shoulder injury kept him out for the beginning of the 2009 season but he returned to action against the Dragons in round 5 and scored two tries including an 80 metre effort.

[9] He came off the bench in the trial matches against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles[10] and the Wests Tigers,[11] although he began the season in the Toyota Cup competition.

[4] After Albert Kelly's poor form[12] and a knee injury to Nathan Stapleton, Gardner became the club's second debutant of the season after he played in his first first-grade match in round 10 against the Penrith Panthers at Toyota Stadium on 16 May.

[17] Despite his impressive performance against the Roosters, coach Ricky Stuart suggested that he was planning on giving Gardner a break from first-grade football at some stage during the season.

[21] Gardner kept up his impressive form after scoring a try and kicking 1 goal from 3 attempts in the 20 points to 19 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys in round 16.

At the 2010 Dally M Awards, Gardner was nominated for the 'Rookie of the Year' but lost out to Matt Gillett of the Brisbane Broncos.

[28] He was also nominated for the 'Peter Frilingos Headline Moment of the Year' for his try against the Roosters in round 13[28] but lost out to Jarryd Hayne who won the award for his try against the Penrith Panthers.

However, in round 7, Gardner struck down injured with an ankle sprain while making his well-known kick returns and being tackled and fell awkwardly.

In August 2014, Gardner was one of the Sharks players who accepted reduced bans from ASADA under the Sport Minister Peter Dutton for his part in the club's 2011 supplements scandal.

[35] On 19 November 2015 it was announced that Gardner had signed with NSW Cup team Wentworthville Magpies for the 2016 season.