2015 Norm Goss Medal winner Michael Gibbons didn’t know what to do with himself when the siren sounded to mark Williamstown’s first Peter Jackson VFL premiership victory since 2003 on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Seagulls midfielder had played one of the games of his life in the 54-point triumph over the Box Hill Hawks and was busy celebrating accordingly when he was announced as the best player on the ground.
“Once the siren goes, it all sinks in and you just don’t know what to do with yourself – I was just running around jumping on blokes,” Gibbons laughed.
“I was still pretty wrapped up in getting around to all the boys and hugging them, and didn’t actually hear my name get called out.
“I wasn’t paying much attention until (Williamstown captain) Ben Jolley called me and told me to hurry up and get up there.”
The 2013 Murray Bushrangers captain earned his place on the dais at Etihad Stadium with 28 disposals, 11 clearances, five inside-50s and a goal, joining the likes of current and former AFL players George Horlin-Smith (Geelong, 2012), Jonathan Simpkin (Box Hill, 2013) and Brett Goodes (Footscray, 2014) as recent winners of the Norm Goss Medal.
But when he woke up “very nervous” on Sunday morning, he probably couldn’t have imagined he’d produce a performance to remember on the biggest stage of the VFL season.
“I was talking to my folks about it on Sunday night and said everyone goes to bed dreaming about having a good game on Grand Final day,” Gibbons recalled.
“But I was lucky enough to actually put in a good performance on the big day.”
Luck certainly wasn’t the sole reason for his performance though.
The Lavington, NSW product moved to Melbourne at the end of 2013 to further his prospects of making an AFL list after missing out on being drafted from the Bushrangers.
He paid tribute to his parents, who helped set him up in the big city and contributed to a year of football at Williamstown that culminated with a Development League premiership medal around their son’s neck.
Across 18 senior games in 2015, Gibbons has established himself in a star-studded Seagulls midfield after playing only 12 VFL matches last year.
“About Round 3 or 4, I really started gelling with the boys and having an influence on games,” he said.
“That was good for my belief and also good that I could repay the faith of (head coach) Andy Collins and the coaching staff who had given me a crack in the midfield.”
Gibbons went on to average almost 24 disposals per game and had the chance to learn from fellow on-ballers such as 2015 VFL Team of the Year selections Jolley, Adam Marcon (also the 2015 Fothergill-Round Medallist) and Mitch Banner.
“We’ve got an unbelievable midfield there – blokes who are team-oriented and do the little things well,” Gibbons said.
“Ben Jolley just works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen on and off a footy field, and the game knowledge of blokes like Adam Marcon and Mitch Banner is just great.
“It’s hard to not go alright in the midfield with those blokes leading the way.”
Michael Gibbons has worked hard on improving his fitness and kicking efficiency this year, and after demonstrating his ability to perform on the big stage, it may not be long before he’s spoken of in the same breath as some of his star teammates.
NORM GOSS MEDAL VOTING
Karen Lyon (AAP)
3 Nick Meese – Williamstown
2 Michael Gibbons – Williamstown
1 Leigh Masters – Williamstown
Campbell Brown (Channel 7)
3 Michael Gibbons - Williamstown
2 Anthony Anastasio - Williamstown
1 Mitch Banner - Williamstown
Ben Waterworth (3WBC)
3 Michael Gibbons - Williamstown
2 Nick Meese – Williamstown
1 Ed Carr - Williamstown
Nick Carnell (VFL Live)
3 Ed Carr - Williamstown
2 Nick Meese – Williamstown
1 Michael Gibbons - Williamstown
TOTALS
9 Michael Gibbons – Williamstown
7 Nick Meese – Williamstown
4 Ed Carr – Williamstown
2 Anthony Anastasio - Williamstown
1 Mitch Banner – Williamstown
1 Leigh Masters - Williamstown
Last Modified on 30/09/2015 12:53
