South Barwon all rounder Ryan Gibson has left the club and returned to England

A star all rounder has left South Barwon amid the club’s run for finals. Find out why here.

Ryan Gibson in actio for South Barwon, GCA1. Picture: Wes Cusworth

SOUTH Barwon all-rounder Ryan Gibson will miss the rest of the GCA season after returning to England mid-season.

Gibson left the Swans halfway through his second season in the GCA after the loss against St Joseph’s, with his father battling illness back home.

Gibson has been the centre of controversy in the 2022-23 season, earning an initial 10-week suspension for two separate incidents in a game against North Geelong.

While bowling, Gibson made contact with opening batter Ned Cooper and was reprimanded by the on-field umpire, before also giving a directed send-off towards dismissed batter Casey Meehan.

Ryan Gibson in action for South Barwon, GCA1. Picture: Wes Cusworth

Gibson fronted the GCA tribunal to appeal his 10-week suspension, reducing the sentence down to three weeks served and a further four weeks suspended.

South Barwon president Simon Breuer said after his suspension that Gibson was “a fiery unit”.

“He is bloody remorseful, he is incredibly embarrassed,” he said in December.

“We know he is a fiery unit, that is partly why we love him at the club and in the team but blind Freddie could see he’s overstepped the line a bit.”

Upon his return to cricket, Gibson was charged with level one dissent towards an umpire after waving his hands in disagreement towards a decision against Grovedale, with the charge activating the suspended sentence.

However, Gibson went back to the tribunal and successfully appealed the sentence, meaning he was free to play against East Belmont and St Joseph’s.

Gibson featured in the following two games, but because of his father’s sickness he returned to England and missed the return match against North Geelong.

The all rounder has taken seven wickets in 40 overs, as well as made 136 runs across five innings, including two half centuries.

It is unclear whether Gibson will return to the club next season.

Originally published as South Barwon all rounder Ryan Gibson has left the club and returned to England