Michael Gibbons says Will Setterfield, Zac hits ground running in first full pre-season

It’s the old pre-season cliche — so-and-so is flying and ready for a big year. Carlton forward Michael Gibbons is loving his first chance at a full pre-season with the Blues and he says two young guns have looked strongest.

Michael Gibbons is loving life at Ikon Park. Picture: AAP

Back in training for his first full pre-season as Blue, second-year Carlton forward Michael Gibbons says he is relishing the certainty of simply having a list spot at Ikon Park.

Passed over at the 2013 draft, Gibbons became a star of the VFL, winning two Liston Trophies, but could not crack the big leagues.

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Michael Gibbons is loving life at Ikon Park. Picture: AAP

That was until he trained the house down in last year’s pre-season with Carlton and was finally rewarded with a rookie contract in February this year.

“(Pre-season is a) bit different for me this time round,” Gibbons told the club’s website.

“This time last year, I was leading into the draft not knowing what was going to happen and unfortunately missed out again and didn’t get here until December, so it’s been really good fun coming back first week with the boys.

“I made some good friends last year, so I missed them and I’m glad to get back into it.”

Gibbons played 21 games for the Blues in his rookie season. Picture: Michael Klein

Gibbons was in Carlton’s Round 1 team and did not miss a game until Round 23. All of it was made possible by the misfortune of co-captain Sam Docherty’s knee injury, which opened a spot for Gibbons.

The small forward, who booted 16 goals, is excited to see Docherty fully recovered and back out on the track.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever got to train with Doc, his injury last year was why I got a chance to come down and train., so it’s quite a surreal feeling to actually see him running around,” Gibbons said.

“Just the energy and the professionalism he brings around the club, it’s going to be exciting for him to be back out there for us.”

Gibbons is happy to see Sam Docherty back out on the training track. Picture: Getty Images

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The old pre-season cliche’s apply for Gibbons — he wants more midfield time and he’s earmarked two young guns who have trained the house down.

“(I’m) definitely going to push my case this year throughout pre-season to hopefully get myself a bigger role through the midfield this year,” he said.

“Will Setterfield has probably been the one for me so far this year, him and Zac Fisher have both come back in really good nick.

“We expect big things from them boys this year.”

Drafted by GWS fifth overall in the 2016 draft, Setterfield played just two games for the Giants before suffering a serious knee injury.

He was traded to the Blues at the end of 2018 and played 18 of a possible 22 games, without setting the world on fire.

This year looms as a make-or-break year for the 21-year-old, given Carlton’s increased midfield depth.

Will Setterfield has hit the ground running at the beginning of Carlton’s pre-season. Picture:" Getty Images

A freshly shorn Zac Fisher has put in a big early run in pre-season. Picture: Getty Images

Originally published as Michael Gibbons says Will Setterfield, Zac hits ground running in first full pre-season