VFL star Michael Gibbons to train with Carlton in hope of securing spot on Blues’ rookie list
Carlton has invited the best player from the VFL competition to train with the club, with Williamstown gun Michael Gibbons and a younger star to be given their chance to win a spot on the Blues’ list.
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Carlton have extended a lifeline to the VFL’s dominant player Michael Gibbons as they consider how to fill two vacant spots on their list.
Williamstown champion Gibbons has continually been overlooked by AFL recruiters despite a phenomenal record that includes two Liston Trophies and a runner-up placing in the past three years.
Gibbons, who was shattered to again be overlooked in the national and rookie drafts last month, will start training at Carlton on Friday morning.
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The Blues have also invited Dandenong Stingray Matthew Cottrell to train with the club as a running player they considered as a late pick in the rookie draft.
The pair are the only two players to training with the Blues list over the summer.
Carlton said the pair might train with the club through February, with the Blues having until March 15 to sign players under new rookie rules.
Gibbons has just re-signed with Williamstown for 2019, meaning he will play VFL again if the Blues do not sign him up.
This week his coach Andy Collins told the Herald Sun the rookie system was broken because clubs no longer were prepared to take chances with left-field selections.
But Gibbons, who works from 6am to midday as a carpet layer before going to university and then football training, now has a chance to prove his worth.
Gibbons is just 175cm but boasts a stunning record that includes four consecutive Team of the Year jumpers and best-afield honours in the 2015 Grand Final and a representative state game.
Gibbons, who tied with Richmond’s Anthony Miles in this year’s Liston Trophy, has few flaws in his game and amazing consistency.
In the TAC Cup he averaged 119 ranking points, in the Under-18 championships he averaged 141 ranking points and his last three seasons he has averaged 118, 105 and 110 ranking points.
The number one ranked VFL midfielder, he averaged 28.4 disposals, 6.2 inside 50 (ranked No.1) 7.2 clearances (ranked fourth) and six score involvements (ranked fifth).
In a competition where smaller players like Western Bulldog Caleb Daniel have still made a strong impact, it seems staggering a club would not hand him an opportunity.
Gibbons is the same height as Brisbane’s Dayne Zorko and taller than Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (171cm).
As a pure ball winner he might also be suited as a pressuring small forward if the Blues don’t need his midfield presence.
Carlton has already ruled out recruiting an experienced player like Essendon’s Brendon Goddard with its rookie list spots.
Originally published as VFL star Michael Gibbons to train with Carlton in hope of securing spot on Blues’ rookie list
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