Williamstown’s Michael Gibbons has stamped himself as a potential AFL target by a starring performance in the Peter Jackson VFL’s clash with the SANFL last Sunday.
The 21-year-old was awarded the Frank Johnson Medal – given to the best VFL player on ground in state games – after collecting an impressive 34 disposals in the 19-point loss, ass James Szabo reports.
Gibbons has continued to impress with high class performances this season, after gaining attention with a best on ground performance in the Seagulls’ drought-breaking premiership win last year.
The midfielder, who grew up in New South Wales, says being drafted as a mature age recruit is still an objective he’s hoping to achieve.
“I’m three years in (at VFL level) and getting drafted is still a massive goal for myself - one that would be awesome,” said Gibbons.
“Getting drafted was probably the only reason I came down to Melbourne. When I missed out on the draft I was 18… and the first thing I did was pack up and move down here to play for Willy (Williamstown).”
While being extremely enthusiastic about the possibility of playing in the AFL, the business management student still understands it’s not the “be-all and end-all anymore.”
He says he enjoys working, studying and his teammates at Williamstown – which makes it easier if he didn’t end up on an AFL list.
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Another aim for Gibbons at the start of the season was to make the state team. The former Murray Bushrangers player said the experience of achieving that and winning the Frank Johnson Medal was one that meant a lot to him.
“It was obviously a great feeling to win the award – a very special moment for me,” he said.
“It’s pretty awesome actually (to play in the state game). To represent the the ‘Big V’ was such a good experience.
“I said one of my goals at the start of the year was to make the state team and I was lucky enough to get a gig and meet all the other boys from all the other teams – they’re all ripper fellas, there wasn’t a bad bloke there.”
Since arriving at Williamstown, Gibbons has worked his way from a fringe player to one of the league’s best. He says the transformation is mostly due to the fitness staff down at the club, who have helped develop his elite endurance.
“I’d basically put it down to the fitness team really,” he said.
“They’ve taken my game from roaming around at half forward in my first year to helping me develop a pretty good tank.”
The ball magnet’s tank has helped him consistently perform for the reigning premiers this season, who sit second on the ladder with five wins and two losses.
All eyes will be on the star midfielder in this weekend’s clash with Footscray away from home, to see if his great run of form can continue.
Last Modified on 01/06/2016 23:38
