Sam Walsh and Michael Gibbons look likely to debut in Round 1 after impressing Carlton coaches
Carlton’s midfield odd couple Sam Walsh and Michael Gibbons look increasingly likely to debut together in Round 1 after flawless pre-seasons for the injury-hit Blues.
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Carlton’s odd couple Sam Walsh and Michael Gibbons could be part of a new-look midfield by Round 1 after flawless pre-seasons for the injury-hit Blues.
No.1 draft pick Walsh has wowed Carlton’s players and coaches with his flawless pre-season, winning a series of recent one-lap time trials around Ikon Park.
Gibbons is certain to be a Carlton player by March 15, impressing Bolton in match simulation as he auditions for one of three vacant spots on the Blues list.
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He has been given positive indications about his progress at the club but is yet to be officially been told he will be listed by Carlton under new rookie rules.
The 23-year-old Williamstown VFL star has already won over Carlton’s coaches and players, thrilled with his talent and buy-in at Ikon Park.
His final hurdle is to impress in intra-club contests in coming weeks so Carlton’s recruiters are comfortable giving him the tick-off for one of three vacant spot lists.
The carpet layer and university student has been training on an AFL mandated $500-per-week stipend at the Blues, desperate to achieve his life dream of playing AFL.
Carlton has been told by the AFL he is not able to play in their official practice match against Hawthorn on February 21 or in their two JLT Series games.
Yet there is little doubt he will be a Carlton player before the March 15 cut-off to list rookies under new rules.
The Blues are on the Sunshine Coast for a week-long training camp at Mooloolaba.
Alex Fasolo, who put his Round 1 availability in doubt after breaking his arm in a drunken play fight with a mate, will not face more punishment over his actions.
Geelong Falcon Walsh has long been touted as an AFL wunderkind, with Carlton veteran Kade Simpson saying of the midfielder: “I’m yet to see a weakness, to be honest. He’s a serious athlete.”
But dual JJ Liston Trophy winner Gibbons has repeatedly been shunned by AFL clubs, only invited to train with Carlton when Sam Docherty went down in December with another ACL rupture.
The retirement last week of ex-Melbourne utility Tom Bugg cleared another spot, with the Blues already going into the season with one spot on their list.
If not for the new rules they would have been two men down before the home-and-away season started.
AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking said the new rookie rules, allowing clubs to replace injured or retired players, had already proved a success.
“It’s great to see the opportunities it has provided,’’ he said.
“It is really stimulating a part of the industry that was really dormant. Those windows have opened up and it’s pretty exciting sitting here and witnessing that. How exciting is it for those players to get these opportunities to play AFL? It’s pretty good for the game.”
They have a number of injury concerns including Matthew Kreuzer (knee), Mitch McGovern (back), Liam Jones (hand), Fasolo (arm), Docherty (ACL) and Jarrod Pickett (patella tendon).
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