Bryce Gibbs attitude was crucial in winning recall for Darwin clash against Melbourne

He’s been in and out of the side this year because of injuries and form but Bryce Gibbs could not have been more impressive in the lead-up to the Crows’ Top End game against Melbourne.

Bryce Gibbs celebrate a goal against Brisbane this year. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

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They have been on the outer for much of the season but coach Don Pyke has evidence both Bryce Gibbs and Josh Jenkins are ready to fire instantly as the Crows face Melbourne in Darwin on Saturday night.

Both have had heated discussions with Pyke about being dropped — neither was happy about their fate — but Pyke could not speak more highly of Gibbs’ efforts in particular as he came to terms with his omission from last week’s game.

Bryce Gibbs of the Crows celebrates kicking a goal during the round nine match against the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It is understood more effort had been required from Gibbs in the defensive part of his game and he had not wasted a minute during the week.

“Bryce clearly didn’t get an opportunity to play last week but he’s been fantastic this week — his attitude, the way he’s trained,” Pyke said. “And obviously with Matty Crouch not coming up (from hip injury) we felt like we needed another midfielder so he gets a chance.

“He’s an experienced player.

“Bryce is a good enough player to play AFL footy. He didn’t get an opportunity last week, he gets it this week.

“Talking to him last night, he’s excited, ready to get up there and put his best foot forward.

“What I’ve liked about Bryce this week is, clearly he had some disappointment and frustration last week but from the moment he walked into the rooms last week before the game his attitude has been fantastic and he’s carried that through the week.

Adelaide’s Josh Jenkins and Bryce Gibbs at training ahead of their recall to the Crows side on Thursday. Picture: Sarah Reed

“When it got time to train last week he was clear on the things he wanted to work on, he’s working on those things and he’s training with real intensity and purpose.

“It sends me a signal as a coach and as a match committee that we’ve got a guy who’s fully engaged in the program and is now looking for the next opportunity.

Pyke dismissed the notion that being in and out of the side had rocked Gibbs’ — and Jenkins’ — confidence.

Neither were expected to do anything they hadn’t done before and their positions were now theirs to lose.

“Any time you’re not in the team or you’re in and out of the team it’s natural to go through that (having doubts).

“But these guys have also got a lot of experience and have played some really good footy at a high level.

“They’re not reaching for something that they’ve never experienced.

“They know they’re good enough to play at the level and they’re in the side to do that.”

The Melbourne game comes at a crucial juncture of the season.

After two close losses, the Crows finals chances are again under threat after a four-week winning streak was snapped with losses to the Lions and the Eagles.

“We sit here at 5-5 and are we happy where we’re at? No we’re not,” Pyke said. “We want to be better than that and think we are capable of better than that.

“The last two weeks we lose by a point, we lose by two goals being right in it late.

“The reality is that against the best teams we’ve just got to do it for longer.

“We have another test against Melbourne, which in terms of a quality viewpoint they are also getting a lot of their good players back.

“But it comes down to winning and ultimately it’s our ability to find a way to win in a tight contest that becomes important.”