Michael Gibbons and Matthew Cottrell signed by Carlton as rookies after strong pre-seasons

VFL star Michael Gibbons is officially an AFL player after a dominant pre-season was rewarded with a rookie contract from Carlton, capping his incredible journey.

Michael Gibbons in action for Williamtown.

A dominant match simulation performance and stunning hill sprint session on Friday capped Michael Gibbons’ incredible rise to the AFL.

On Friday Carlton told VFL star Gibbons and TAC Cup player Matthew Cottrell they had been signed as AFL rookies, the announcement in front of their teammates cueing pandemonium at the club’s training camp.

As revealed by the Herald Sun on Monday, Williamstown star Gibbons was certain to be listed after making strong improvement since being asked to train at Carlton in mid-December.

DEBUT: BLUES’ ODD COUPLE PRIMED FOR ROUND 1

CAMP: YOUNG BLUES SHOWING SIGNS OF GROWTH

COACH: BOLTON COOKING UP STRONGER BONDS

But the Blues also elevated Cottrell, a running machine and former middle distance runner whose grandfather Len played 12 games for Carlton in 1958-59.

He won the club’s pre-Christmas time trial, achieving the impossible in knocking off the club’s best runner in Ed Curnow.

Gibbons performed strongly in the club’s match simulation on Friday, before fitness guru Andrew Russell bussed the players to a surprise location for a series of hill sprints.

Michael Gibbons in action for Williamstown.

Matthew Cottrell in action for Dandenong Stingrays. Picture: Hamish Blair

He won every one of them, with Russell saying at the club’s camp this year that he has been transformed from a middle-of-the-road runner to one of the club’s best athletic performers.

Gibbons was continually overlooked for a series of national, pre-season and rookie drafts as he amassed an extraordinary VFL resume by the age of 23.

The fourth Williamstown player chosen by an AFL club this year and 14th VFL player, he was a carpet layer who would rise before dawn to work before attending university, then finally going to VFL training.

He boasts four VFL Team of the Year jumpers, was best afield in the 2015 Grand Final and best-afield in a representative state game.

The best midfielder in the VFL this year, he averaged 28.4 disposals, 6.2 inside 50m (ranked No.1) 7.2 clearances (ranked fourth) and six score involvements (ranked fifth).

Blues list boss Steve Silvagni could now invite another player to train with Carlton before the March 15 deadline or keep the one remaining list spot for the mid-season draft in June.

How good is this!?

We could not be prouder of this man. Michael Gibbons is officially a @CarltonFC player!

The 2-time J.J Liston Medallist and 2018 Gerry Callahan Medallist's dream has come true and we could not be happier!

Congrats Gibbo!! #WeStandAlone pic.twitter.com/YaBIJbTPGJ

— Williamstown FC (@WilliamstownFC) February 8, 2019

Not quite the ten year challenge, but good enough for us! #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/ubE5pvpUYv

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) February 8, 2019

“Michael and Matthew are talented players but more importantly they are quality people who we think will really add to our group on and off the field,” Silvagni said.

“Gibbo in particular has done everything he possibly can over the past five years to give himself an opportunity and now he has one. We believe he will really add some energy for us up forward and though the middle of the ground.

“Cottrell has really hit the ground running from the moment he walked in the doors of our club. His running ability will be a real asset to our list and we look forward to him developing his game even further.”

Gibbons had been rocked when overlooked again by VFL clubs through the draft period despite his amazing resume, with dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg another to be shunned by league teams.

But only days after Carlton captain Sam Docherty went down with a likely season-ending knee injury, he was asked to train at Carlton.

With no promise of a rookie spot and the financial reward of only $500 a week to help his expenses, he trained the house down and impressed coach Brendon Bolton with his off-field character.