Bryce Gibbs

Career : 2007 -
Debut : Round 1, 2007 vs Richmond, aged 18 years, 17 days
Carlton Player No. 1,100
Games : 83*
Goals: 40*
Guernsey No. 4
Height : 188 cm (6 ft. 2 in.)
Weight : 84 kg (13 stone, 3 lbs.)
DOB : 15 March, 1989
Best First Year Player 2007
Rising Star Nomination Round 10, 2007


In one of the most-hyped football stories of 2006, Carlton recruited Bryce Gibbs with selection 1 in the National Draft. Bryce's father Ross had had a sterling career with Glenelg in Adelaide, playing alongside Stephen Kernahan before ‘Sticks’ came to Carlton. The Crows had been hell-bent on recruiting the brilliant youngster under the father-son rule, until it was discovered that Ross Gibbs' tally of games for Glenelg prior to 1991 fell just nine games short of the 200 required to make Bryce eligible. Luckily for the Blues, we were able to land the best young player in the country, and continue rebuilding our talent base. Adding icing to the cake, Gibbs was given the number 4 guernsey made famous by Kernahan.

Bryce is a big (188 cm) strong (84 kg) classy midfielder with great awareness and super skills. He had an outstanding junior career, including captaining South Australia in the Under 18 Division 1 National Championships, and being adjudged their Most Valuable Player. He was named as ruck-rover in the Under 18 All-Australian team after an excellent 2006 carnival; captained the Australian Youth side against Ireland, and was an AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. Also in 2006, he played senior football with Glenelg in the SANFL, finishing third in their Best and Fairest award. Previous to Glenelg, Gibbs had played his football with Plympton, and Brighton HS, the same as teammate Mark Austin.

In early 2007, before he'd even played a match, Bryce was appointed as one of 11 members of the club's leadership group. He made his much-anticipated debut in the opening round of 2007, kicking a goal with his first kick, and doing everything right in our win over Richmond. It was a nice way to start the season; a great way to start a career. On that auspicious Sunday afternoon, Gibbs became the 1100th Carlton senior player since the VFL/AFL was formed in 1897.

Bryce was given mainly defensive roles through his debut year, and it was very quickly obvious that he was a player of composure; one who could get the ball out under pressure, and find space in the heaviest traffic. After a string of consistent performances, his efforts were rewarded with a Rising Star nomination for a remarkably mature display in the win against the Western Bulldogs in round 10, when he gathered 17 disposals at 100% efficiency.

In round 20, he picked up 20 disposals playing on Essendon champion James Hird, and in the last match of the season against Melbourne, kicked two goals and racked up 23 touches. Following in the footsteps of Marc Murphy the year before, Gibbs’ excellent first season was recognised when he was awarded the club's Best First Year Player award. He also managed a top ten placing in the Best and Fairest voting.

Gibbs’ development as a player and as a leader gained momentum during Carlton’s 2008 pre-season campaign, during which he was appointed captain of the team for a practice match against West Coast, and extended his contract with the Blues for a further two years. As the season proper got underway, he showcased his versatility when he was played in defensive roles against Port Adelaide star Chad Cornes, and in-form Magpie Heath Shaw. He clearly eclipsed both; restricting Cornes to 9 disposals, and Shaw to 6 - while helping himself to 13 on both occasions.

In the following weeks, he was released into a more attacking role and was equally as impressive. He kicked 3 goals and had 20 disposals in Carlton’s round 14 victory over Richmond (when he picked up the first two Brownlow votes of his career) then followed up with 28 disposals and five clearances in our round 15 loss to St Kilda. Round 16 saw Sydney’s dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes become Gibbs' third big-name scalp of the year, when the brilliant young Blue comprehensively beat his older, bigger and far-more seasoned opponent in numerous one-on-one contests. Bryce gathered 26 disposals, while keeping Goodes to a paltry seven. Then in the round 19 victory over Port Adelaide, Gibbs played arguably his best game to that point in his career. He was sensational with 30 disposals at 87% efficiency, 7 tackles, 6 hard-ball gets, a goal and two Brownlow votes. His marked improvement throughout the season was recognised when he finished fifth in the Carlton’s Best and Fairest award, and amassed 7 Brownlow Medal votes - outstanding achievements for a teenager.

The highlight (and equally, lowlight) of season 2009 for Carlton and for Bryce Gibbs came when the Blues made the finals for the first time since 2001. Thirteen wins from 22 matches clinched 7th place, and set up an Elimination Final clash against Brisbane at the Gabba. On that bitter-sweet night for all Carlton supporters, the developing class of our current list was plain to see, but Brisbane’s finals experience told and they finished better to win by 7 points.

Regardless of that disappointment, one of the many positives to come out of 2009 for the Carlton Football Club was the undoubted arrival of Bryce Gibbs as an elite player. In 23 games for the year, he had averaged 26 possessions a match, collected 15 Brownlow Medal votes and finished third in voting for the Blues’ Best and Fairest – all before his 21st birthday!

Even at this tender age, he is already a captain in waiting.

Prior to playing for Glenelg, Gibbs represented Plympton and Brighton HS, SA.

Milestones

50th Game: Round 9, 2009 vs Fremantle

Career Highlights

2007 Leadership Group
2007 Pre-Season Premiership Player
2007 Rising Star Nomination
2007 Best First Year Player
2007 9th Best and Fairest
2008 5th Best and Fairest
2009 3rd Best and Fairest

Links

Articles: Carlton's Top Tenners | That First Pick...Players taken with Carlton's first pick in the draft

YouTube: Bryce Gibbs | Bryce Gibbs 3 Goals vs Richmond - Round 14, 2008 | Gibbs to Stevens & Goal

Blueseum: Summary of Gibbs' playing career | Career Breakdown | Goals with first kicks | Gibbs' Blueseum Image Gallery

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