Michael Gibbons (footballer)

Michael Gibbons (born 15 May 1995) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited from Williamstown after he won two J J Liston Trophys, the best and fairest in the VFL.

Michael Gibbons
Personal information
Full name Michael Gibbons
Date of birth (1995-05-15) 15 May 1995 (age 29)
Original team(s)

Lavington, Murray Bushrangers

Williamstown (VFL)
Debut Round 1, 2019, Carlton vs. Richmond, at MCG
Height 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 75 kg (165 lb)
Position(s) Inside Midfielder / Medium Forward[1]
Club information
Current club Carlton
Number 40
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2019–2021 Carlton 47 (35)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2021.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life and junior career

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Gibbons began his football journey with Coolamon (NSW) before playing under 18 football in the TAC Cup with the Murray Bushrangers. Overlooked in the draft he moved to Melbourne to further develop his game. The versatile midfield-forward spent five years at Williamstown in the VFL. In that time, he became a dual J.J Liston Medal winner and Norm Goss Medallist in the 2015 VFL Grand Final.[2]

AFL career

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Carlton (2019-2021)

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Gibbons was recruited by Carlton as a supplemental rookie recruit in February 2019.[3] He made his senior debut later that month in the opening game of the season against Richmond, and immediately established himself as a regular member of the club's senior team, primarily as a small/mid-sized forward, rather than the midfield position he had played at Williamstown. He signed a one-year extension contract for the Blues for the 2020 season as a rookie, and then signed to the club's senior list at the start of 2021.[4] He missed only three games in his first two-and-a-half seasons, and kicked 35 goals in that time, before missing the latter half of 2021 with a hamstring injury. He was delisted at the conclusion of the 2021 season.[5]

Post-AFL career

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Gibbons joined Yarrawonga in the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League for the 2022 season. After missing the 2022 grand final due to injury,[6] he helped the Pigeons win the 2023 premiership and was named the H.J. "Did" Simpson Medalist as best on ground.

Statistics

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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
2019 Carlton 40 21 16 14 196 112 308 69 57 0.8 0.7 9.3 5.3 14.7 3.3 2.7
2020 Carlton 40 15 11 6 144 63 207 51 42 0.7 0.4 9.6 4.2 13.8 3.3 2.9
2021 Carlton 40 11 8 5 98 58 156 39 27 0.8 0.7 9.3 5.3 14.7 3.3 2.7
Career 47 35 25 438 233 671 159 126 0.7 0.6 9.4 4.9 14.3 3.3 2.8

References

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  1. ^ "Blueseum - History of the Carlton Football Club | Michael Gibbons". Blueseum - History of the Carlton Football Club. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Draft Me: Michael Gibbons - Williamstown Football Club".
  3. ^ "Blues sign Gibbons and Cottrell".
  4. ^ "Gibbons signs on to senior list". Carlton Football Club. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Blues make list changes". carltonfc.com.au. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  6. ^ Tervet, Steve (21 September 2023). "Michael Gibbons comes full circle to play in Ovens and Murray grand final at Lavington". The Border Mail. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
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