I want to be in the best 22, says Adelaide’s veteran recruit Sam Gibson

NEW Adelaide running machine Sam Gibson has warned his teammates that he is not at the club just to make up the numbers.

ON THE RUN: Adelaide defender Luke Brown breaks clear of rookie-list teammate Lachlan Murphy during training at Bond University on the Gold Coast. Picture: Adelaide Football Club.

NEW Adelaide running machine Sam Gibson has warned his team-mates that he is not at the club just to make up the numbers.

Signed by the Crows from North Melbourne as insurance for injured hard-running defender Brodie Smith, Gibson has been training with the midfield group and is targeting more than Smith’s position.

“I want to play as much AFL as I can,’’ he said.

“It’s going to be a really hard team to break into and I’m aware of that.

“But I feel like I’ve got some good footy in front of me and if I can find a role that will help the team and help us go one better this year that’ll be great.’’

Gibson turns 32 in May and has instantly become Adelaide’s oldest player.

He is six months older than star small forward Eddie Betts.

While Gibson, who was originally delisted by the Kangaroos and then traded for a late draft pick (No. 91), has been brought to West Lakes as cover for Smith (knee), he has put all of his team-mates on notice.

“Hopefully there’s a few different roles that I’ll be able to target in that best 22,” he said.

“I’ve been training with the midfield group and spending a lot of time with (midfield coach) Scott Camporeale in just really trying to nut out those midfield roles.

“I’m trying to figure out, one, where I fit, and, two, have a really good grasp of the roles to have some flexibility.’’

Smith will miss most of the season after breaking down against GWS in the qualifying final at Adelaide Oval in September.

Veteran Crow and regular midfielder Richard Douglas also is being considered to play his playmaking backline role.

Adelaide Crows forward Mitch McGovern training at Bond University on the Gold Coast as part of the Adelaide Football Club's pre-season training camp. Picture: Adelaide Football Club.

Renowned for his strong endurance, Gibson is Adelaide’s new 2km time trial king, having won consecutive tests in his first pre-season at the club.

“Being able to come in and do the bulk of sessions and being able to get a lot of really good work in was really important in the early days for me,” he said.

“Now it’s about transitioning into the footy stuff and figuring out the subtle nuances between the Adelaide game plan and the game plans I’ve been used to in the past.”

Gibson is a fitness freak, having played 130 consecutive games for the Roos after debuting as a mature-age recruit six years ago.

He said he is enjoying getting to know his new team-mates more during the club’s pre-season training and bonding camp on the Gold Coast.

“Getting to know guys on a more personal level is important for me and will hopefully help us to bond in the footy sense as well,” Gibson said.