Adelaide recruit Bryce Gibbs savours first Showdown win in 250th AFL game
HUGE crowd and a dramatic Showdown win for the Crows makes 250th AFL appearance extra special for Adelaide recruit Bryce Gibbs.
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BRYCE Gibbs has not played in a final for five years but said that Saturday night’s Showdown win over Port Adelaide in his 250th game was “as good as it gets”.
The former Blue who was traded to Adelaide in the off-season was the Crows’ best in their thrilling three-point win over the Power on Saturday night.
Gibbs finished with 29 disposals and nine inside 50s as the Crows kept their faint finals hopes alive and put a dent in Port Adelaide’s top-four hopes.
It was also some redemption for Adelaide after they were denied victory in Showdown 44 with Steven Motlop’s heart-stopping goal in the final minute.
“That’s just about as good as it gets,” Gibbs told Fox Footy after the final siren.
“How’s the crowd in that last quarter – it was unbelievable and JJ (Josh Jenkins) – was a bit nervy whether it was going to be a goal or not but they paid it and how good is that!”
Gibbs, 28, played 231 games for Carlton before seeking a trade back to Adelaide last year.
He is one of four Crows players to have played every game this season and it is expected he will go close to winning the club’s title for best and fairest.
“Obviously Carlton has been a massive part of my life to play the majority of my footy,” he said.
“But now I’m here to finish off my career, it’s very special.”
Gibbs finished second in the Showdown Medal voting on Saturday night with eight votes – two behind Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray who won the award for the fourth time.
Gibbs has played a mixture of midfield and forward in his first year at the Crows and has averaged 26 disposals per game which is equal to his past two years at Carlton.
He has also kicked nine goals this season.
Gibbs’s teammate Rory Sloane told The Advertiser post-match that the former Blue had been an enormous addition to the team with his grunt around the footy.
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