New Crows coach Matthew Nicks backs struggling Bryce Gibbs to bounce back hard next season – possibly in a new position
New Crows coach Matthew Nicks says struggling veteran Crow Bryce Gibbs is poised to regain his best form in 2020.
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New Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has backed struggling veteran Bryce Gibbs to return to his best form next year and revealed he could be tasked with defensive playmaking duties.
After enduring a horror 2019 campaign when he was dropped to the SANFL four times, the Crows’ high-priced recruit – the No. 1 draft pick in 2006 – made an off-season statement on Thursday when he returned to training ahead of schedule, joining the club’s two-to-four year players.
And after the 30-year-old worked up a sweat with the young bucks at the club’s Football Park headquarters, Nicks declared he viewed him as a major part of his plans for next season.
“He’s a super player,’’ Nicks said of the 265-game veteran, who will be entering his third year at Adelaide after spending his first 11 AFL seasons at Carlton following his drafting from SANFL club Glenelg.
“He has outstanding experience in the game and it’s a matter of us helping him in that space and getting him where he can play his best.
“I have no doubt he will have a strong season for us.’’
But after getting lost in the midfield last season, where he has played most of his career,
Gibbs could be recast as creative defender.
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He played some strong football for Carlton across half-back, including taking kick-in duties.
“We’ve had that conversation, Bryce and I, about what can we do to allow you to play that style of footy you need to play,” Nicks said.
“My questioning to him was around what will allow you to play your best football?
“He had a couple of options about whether that was in and around the footy, as much as we could get him in there, but he also knows that a half-back position is somewhere that may suit him with where he’s actually at with his game at the moment.
“We’ll be working through that over the next two to three months, coming into round one, but nothing’s locked in stone.’’
Gibbs played just 12 AFL games last season, averaging a respectable 19.7 disposals but not influencing matches.
But Nicks said Gibbs had shown how keen he was to bounce back by training with his young teammates four days before he was due to return.
“No doubt Bryce is putting his hand up, already being out there,’’ he said.
“That’s the part about knocking the door down. There’s this balance you want to have with your players of, stay fresh, it’s a long season, you get to August and you want your players really running the season out.
“But the enthusiasm they are showing at the moment and getting around the young group is outstanding.
Nicks said he would “love’’ to see Gibbs play all 22 home-and-away rounds next season.
“And some finals,’’ he added.
“I’m really confident with Bryce.
“He's freshened up and has done a fair bit of work over the break.’’
