Kellie-Maree Gibson (born 9 June 1996) is an Australian rules footballer playing for West Coast in the AFL Women's competition. She was one of Adelaide's two marquee players in the inaugural AFL Women's season[1] and has also played for Fremantle. A multi-sport athlete, Gibson began her athletic career as a sprinter, and won a gold medal in rugby sevens at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.[1]

Medal record
Women's rugby sevens
Representing  Australia
Youth Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2014 Nanjing Team competition

AFL Women's career

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Gibson was selected to play in the first AFL-sanctioned women's exhibition match in 2013, when she was barely 17.[2] Over the following years, she played women's AFL exhibition games for both the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Football Club.[1]

Gibson was one of two marquee player signings announced by Adelaide in July 2016, in anticipation of the 2017 AFL Women's season.[3] After playing in all seven regular season games and the 2017 AFL Women's Grand Final with the premiership-winning team, Gibson expressed a desire to return to Western Australia. Unable to negotiate a trade with Fremantle, Adelaide delisted her on in May 2017. At the start of the free agency period, Fremantle signed Gibson for the 2018 AFL Women's season.[4]

Gibson sustained a hip flexor injury in a practice match before the beginning of the 2018 AFL Women's season. An initial diagnoses suggested a six-to-eight week recovery time.[5] She made her debut for Fremantle in the final round of the 2018 season, kicking a goal as Fremantle defeated Carlton at Fremantle Oval.[6]

In April 2019, Gibson joining cross-town rivals West Coast for their inaugural season.[7] It was revealed Gibson signed on with West Coast on 25 June 2021.[8]

Statistics

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Statistics are correct to the end of the 2017 season[9]
Legend
  G  
Goals
  K  
Kicks
  D  
Disposals 
  T  
Tackles
  B  
Behinds 
  H  
Handballs 
  M  
Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2017 Adelaide 2 8 4 2 38 16 54 9 11 0.5 0.3 4.8 2.0 6.8 1.1 1.4
Career 8 4 2 38 16 54 9 11 0.5 0.3 4.8 2.0 6.0 1.1 1.4

Personal life

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Prior to being selected by Adelaide as a marquee player, Gibson moved from Perth to Adelaide in June 2016 to work for the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) as female engagement coordinator.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Player profiles". AFC.com.au. Adelaide Football Club. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b Gill, Katrina (27 July 2016). "Gibson's golden opportunity". afc.com.au. Adelaide Football Club. Archived from the original on 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b McGowan, Marc (28 July 2016). "Star Crows Chelsea Gibson and Kellie Gibson won't call Darwin home". Northern Territory News. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  4. ^ "AFLW: Freo snap up Gibson as free agent". fremantlefc.com.au. Telstra Media. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  5. ^ Black, Sarah (24 January 2018). "AFLW: Major blow for Dockers' star recruit". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  6. ^ Marsden, Matt (17 March 2018). "Match report: Dockers win fiery affair to hand Blues the wooden spoon - Girls Play Footy". Girls Play Footy. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  7. ^ Dickinson, Rhys (17 April 2019). "AFLW: Eagles add more star power to inaugural squad". West Coast. Telstra Media.
  8. ^ Henderson, Emma (25 June 2021). "AFLW: Star trio pen new deals". West Coast Eagles Media. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Kellie Gibson–player stats by season". Australian Football. Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
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