Bryce Gibbs says not suger-coating the cause of Adelaide’s poor 2018 season is key to success this year
The post-grand final blues, pre-season camp disharmony and debilitating injury list that marked Bryce Gibbs’ arrival at Adelaide have mercifully dissipated. And the former Blue has foreshadowed a monumental 2019 riposte from the Crows.
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Having noted the warning signs that lined Adelaide’s 2017 grand final hangover, Bryce Gibbs commands rare authority in foreshadowing a monumental 2019 riposte from Don Pyke’s men.
Gibbs, 30, gained perspective that only finals deprivation can afford after more than a decade at fallen power Carlton.
Gibbs returned to Adelaide last season eyeing a flag but refused to submit to negativity following the club’s slip to 12th.
“A lot of people in this state and Crows supporters thought we had a disastrous year. I loved my time last year even though we won 12 games that is 10 more than I would have won if I still had of been at Carlton,” reconciled Gibbs with Carlton enduring two wooden spoons in four years.
“That is the way I looked at it and tried to pick as many positives out of it as I could.”
A No. 1 draft pick subsequently restricted to five finals across 12 barren AFL seasons, humble Gibbs has long been accustomed to the melancholy of team failure.
Gibbs’ new Crows teammates carried the baggage of an upset 2017 grand final loss to Richmond through a flat and frustrating season.
Losing a grand final can’t be sugarcoated — “it is a big deal” notes Gibbs.
“It was probably a number of things and I wasn’t around at the time but I can imagine and speaking to the guys it would take you a while to get over the fact you have just lost a grand final,” said Gibbs.
“That probably took its toll for a while, the guys are human.
“People might have thought we will wave it on, get on with it but it is a big deal. It took a little bit of time to get over it.”
The post grand final blues, pre-season camp disharmony and debilitating injury list that marked Gibbs’ arrival have mercifully dissipated at West Lakes.
Green shoots are emerging.
“All the fun we had on the camp has been well documented over the last 12 months and the injuries as well. We just couldn’t get continuity in anything we did last year,” said Gibbs
“That is the way it goes sometimes, we had the review, took learnings from it and can only grow and move on.”
A coach with a new approach, appointment of co-captains Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker backed by a hungry, healthy list underpins Gibbs’ optimism.
“The vibe and mood of the group, compared to this time last year, I have seen a massive shift in enthusiasm to train hard,” said 253-game on-baller Gibbs.
“I am really excited about what we can do. I reckon we can bounce back really quickly It’s a group looking forward to getting the season off to a good start.”
It wasn’t until joining Adelaide that Gibbs appreciated the character underpinning co-captain Sloane’s glowing reputation across the football industry.
“The thing that has grabbed me the most since moving back last year is just the sort of person he is,” said Gibbs of dual club champion Sloane.
“He has great morals, invested in what he does off field and that starts with his best mate Tex down to the new rookies.
“He is just a quality person and really cares about not only what we do at the footy club but what we do off it.”
Crows coach Don Pyke has taken a leaf out of Tigers 2017 premiership counterpart Damien Hardwick and loosened up with plenty of “banter” this pre-season. Pyke has delegated responsibility to assistants Scott Camporeale, Ben Hart, Matthew Clarke and Marty Mattner observed Gibbs.
Adelaide — with Brodie Smith back flying — has six elite players on a list Champion Data rates the second best in the competition behind Melbourne.
Add the return of Brad Crouch to Adelaide’s midfield and Gibbs says there is substance behind the hype.
“It will be pretty tight for spots. We have a really competitive list. That is what you need and what will make a successful side,” said Gibbs who finished fourth behind winner Rory Laird, Matt Crouch and Josh Jenkins in the 2018 Malcolm Blight medal.
“I hadn’t seen much of Brad play before I got to the club and missed the whole of last year.
He is actually a superstar in his own right from what I have seen on the training track.
“We missed that hard edge around the ball with all the injuries he had.
“He is really tough in and under, breaks the lines and is like a new recruit.
“Darcy Fogarty has been training really well, had a taste of what AFL is all about, one to keep an eye on.”
Gibbs turns 30 in March but acknowledges the shadow of father time in pursuit of an elusive AFL flag. Gibbs is settled at West Lakes but says no-one should feel comfortable in an ambitious unit.
“Hopefully we can get that ultimate success which is what we all want,” said Gibbs.
“You always feel a bit better second up. I have been around the traps for long enough but even last year was a bit nervy for me with a new club and starting again. I am feeling good.”
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Originally published as Bryce Gibbs says not suger-coating the cause of Adelaide’s poor 2018 season is key to success this year
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