Sam Gibson will be making his AFL debut for North Melbourne this Saturday when the Kangaroos travel to Metricon Stadium to take on the Gold Coast Suns.
Gibson was recruited from the Box Hill Hawks in the 2011 NAB AFL Rookie Draft with selection 63, after a successful year in the VFL being named in the Team of the Year and winning Box Hill Hawks best and fairest in his first year as captain - recording an average of 28 possessions during 2011.
The AFL possesses a rule that allows clubs to upgrade one rookie after Round 11 even if they have no long-term injury and Gibson, who has been putting forward outstanding performances for VFL affiliate Werribee, was the Kangaroos player of choice. Gibson is in the top 20 this season in the VFL for total kicks (143), handballs (93), marks (53) and tackles (43) – showing why the Kangaroos have upgraded him from rookie status.
His efforts during the NAB Cup competition proved to North coaches that Gibson could challenge the best at the top level.
This is not Gibson’s first time on an AFL list, 2007 saw him selected as a rookie by the Hawthorn Football Club, but he did not make an official AFL appearance.
Gold Coast Suns vs North Melbourne
7:40pm Saturday 16th June
Metricon Stadium
Photo: Jenny Owens
Last Modified on 15/06/2012 10:45