He agreed the tussle between two quality loose forward units will have a huge impact on the outcome of today's game.
"Our forward pack stood up last week. If we can repeat that effort and stick to our structures we'll have a good chance. Both teams have a lot of fire power ... I would love to be watching this game but it's better to be out there playing."
Clive captain and No 8 Lucas Goodin has returned to peak form at the business end of the season after missing 10 games with a dislocated collarbone earlier in the season.
"I can't complain and it's good to get another crack at them," Goodin said referring to NOBM's 31-26 victory when the two teams met in last year's final.
"There's a good buzz within our squad but we can't get ahead of ourselves."
Like Gardner, Goodin, 23, has missed out on a Magpies contract this season but is eager to use the Saracens programme to put himself in contention if replacements are required. He believed if Clive could retain possession for long enough periods they could cause an upset today.
The William Colenso College teacher aide who is in his third season of playing in the Bay after representing the Queensland Reds Under-20s and Queensland Country Under-20s on home turf has yet to decide if he will be back in the Bay next year.
"I'm just worried about this weekend's final for now. Next year is a long way off," Goodin added.
Clive head coach Vaine Maui has resisted the temptation to start Hurricane Jonah Lowe at centre and will start him on the right wing. Maui was happy with how his midfield combination of Sebastian Visinia and Sasa Tofilau has functioned during the past three weeks while Lowe has been on Super Rugby duty.
Chiefs utility back Tiaan Falcon will be used off the subs bench as will Magpies wider training group loosie Josh Kaifa who will make his first appearance since collecting a leg injury in the May 2 encounter against Tasman. Maui said the visitors can't afford to leave things until the last minute like they did in last weekend's 32-29 win against Hastings Rugby and Sports in their semifinal.
"We've still got to respect NOBM. They have been the leaders for the last three years," he added.
Having the likes of Falcon and Kaifa coming off the bench should keep Clive in the hunt until the final whistle. It's no secret NOBM get away on opponents during the final 10 minutes and with the likes of halfback Zac Donaldson and speedsters Mitch Drew and Craig Sharplin on the hosts subs bench this has the potential to happen again today.
Several of the Clive players have siblings or partners in the Clive women's team which host Taradale in their final at Farndon Park today. It would make it a memorable weekend for the riversiders if both teams deliver.
Clive lock Rana Huata's sister Kara is a tighthead prop for the Clive women. Her partner Kereama Peni is the tighthead prop for Goodin's side.
While Napier Old Boys Marist head coach Craig Gowler is thrilled to have Gardner back he hasn't lost sight of the enormity of his troops task.
"It's awesome for Clive to have Jonah and Tiaan back. We're going to have to do something special to beat Clive. We must not forget Hastings were the hottest team in the competition until Clive beat them in the semifinals. There's no doubt this final will be one hell of a game."
This is Gowler's fifth season with the Green Machine. He has yet to decide whether he will be back next year and considering the level of his success in recent seasons a three-peat would be an appropriate send off.
Should Napier Old Boys Marist complete the three-peat today they will become the first team to win three consecutive Maddison Trophy titles since the old Marist Old Boys club completed the feat in 1985, '86 and '87. In 1985 Marist Old Boys shared the title with Celtic and Taradale and outright wins were recorded in '86 and '87.
There were no finals in those three years and the trophy was for the Napier-Hastings competition, not the provincial-wide comp as it has been since 1990.
Today's curtainraiser will be the Premier Reserve Jack Swain Cup final between Napier Old Boys Marist and Taradale. Other finals today will see Otane host WCUMR for division two's Arthur Bowman Cup and Taradale will host Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports in the clash for the colts Pat Ryan Memorial Trophy.
Division three Big Barrel Ron Parker Memorial Cup semifinals will see Hastings Rugby and Sports host Havelock North at Elwood Park and Takapau host Taradale.
Teams for the 3pm final:
■WIT NAPIER OLD BOYS MARIST: Sam Weber, Michael Buckley, Shae Tucker, Paul Bickle, Saia Paese, Johnny Lauano, Ellery Wilson, Chris Johnston (captain), Jack Nelson-Murray, Matt Gardner, Matt Thompson, Sean Skeet, Terry Marsh, Willie Benson, Chris Benson.
Substitutes, forwards: Lee Moleili, Tyler Symone-Bourke, Max Martin, Migao Lauano.
Backs: Zac Donaldson, Mitch Drew, Craig Sharplin.
■K9 PETFOODS CLIVE: JJ Taulagi, Jonah Lowe Sasa Tofilau, Sebastian Visinia, Eti Collins, Tianua Poto, Bronson Hokianga, Lucas Goodin (captain), Jesse Tuhua, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Rocky Pohatu, Rana Huata, Kereama Peni, Sam Ebbitt, Etu Tuanaki.
Substitutes, forwards: Adam Jones, Sam Purotu, David Tuanaki, Josh Kaifa.
Backs: Brendon Pena, Charlton Karauria, Tiaan Falcon.