Interest soars for Williamstown VFL star Michael Gibbons

RECRUITERS did not come knocking late last year despite Michael Gibbons’ breathtaking performance in the VFL decider.

Ball magnet Michael Gibbons racks up another state while representing the VFL on Sunday. Photo Tom Huntley

RECRUITERS did not come knocking late last year despite Michael Gibbons’ breathtaking performance in the VFL decider.

The 21-year-old Williamstown midfielder flaunted his full skill-set at Etihad Stadium, stacking up 28 possessions, 11 clearances and a goal as the Seagulls thumped Box Hill to claim their first VFL flag since 2003.

Gibbons was a deserved recipient of the Norm Goss Medal for best afield, coach Andrew Collins later declaring him the “VFL equivalent to a young, emerging Sammy Mitchell”.

You feel there won’t be a repeat this year, with Gibbons mounting an irresistible case to earn a chance at the top level at year’s end.

He is averaging 30 disposals and 6.3 inside 50s a game, which ranks him No. 1 in the VFL in both categories, along with 7.3 clearances.

Collins said it was “a real shame” Gibbons was overlooked by AFL clubs in 2015.

“He was probably the best player not to be drafted out of his draft (in 2013),” the premiership coach said.

“I think he’s one of the outstanding young midfielders of the competition.”

The snub did not faze Gibbons, who said his best football came at the end of last season.

The Murray Bushrangers product has been a model of consistency this year, named in the Seagulls’ best five times in seven games and securing a spot in the VFL team against the SANFL on Sunday.

He won the Frank Johnson Medal for the VFL’s best player and could collect the Fothergill–Round Medal at season’s end.

Gibbons was promised more midfield minutes during pre-season after Adam Marcon was rookie-listed by Richmond.

He swiftly turned his focus to improving his fitness base and has become a genuine prime mover.

“It’s been good fun so far,” said Gibbons, who is in his third season at Williamstown.

“We’ve sort of clicked as a group in the last few weeks I reckon, which has definitely helped.

“With Adam Marcon obviously leaving, Collo spoke to me and said I’d get more of an opportunity again this year in the midfield and I needed to step up my fitness in the pre-season.

“I’ve always had a belief that I can play at this level pretty well.

“I was lucky enough to show it on the big stage (in the grand final) and it was good the boys could see that.

“They’ve put their trust in me a lot more this year and that’s helped with the footy I’m playing so far.”

Michael Gibbons shows off his Norm Goss Medal after last year’s grand final. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Gibbons last month re-signed with the Seagulls until the end of 2017.

While Williamstown is hopeful he will pique the interest of AFL clubs, it was a show of faith nonetheless.

Gibbons grew up in Coolamon, a small town near Wagga Wagga in NSW, and moved to Albury when he was 16 to play TAC Cup with the Bushrangers.

He was contacted by Collins soon after the 2013 drafts, the former Hawk successfully selling the message of opportunity.

Seagulls football manager Chris Dixon said Gibbons was benefiting from his hard labour over the off-season.

“While it is not the be-all and end-all for him to get on an AFL list, it is a goal and he’s getting more attention (from the opposition) each week,” Dixon said.

Williamstown star Sam Dunell, who played 12 games for St Kilda, said Gibbons was capable of making the leap.

“He was terrific late last year, so he’s carried on his form,” Dunell said.

“You don’t know that he’s only 21 — he’s just a really strong character and works hard on his game.

“If he continues the way he’s going, there’s no reason why he can’t get an ­opportunity.”

Gibbons has previously scoffed at the comparisons with Hawthorn champ ­Mitchell.

“I think it’s thrown around a bit at training, which is a bit of a laugh,” he said.

“I think the boys take the piss out of me a bit at training whenever I roll on to my left foot or something.”

Asked to identify his strengths, Gibbons said there were similarities.

“As a smaller midfielder, I think being able to read the play and I like to think I know what’s going to happen a little bit before others . . . that’s massive for me,” he said.

“That gets brought back to that Sam Mitchell thing again. He’s not the quickest, not the biggest, but he just reads to play so well.

“That’s what I like to believe I’m strong in.”

Off the ground, Gibbons is studying a business management course and working with Seagulls vice-captain Cameron Lockwood.

“His grand final game and the way he’s started this season — I hope there are a lot of (AFL) teams looking at him,” Collins said.