Toast Bryce Gibbs

[blues4flag]

Perhaps not the best time after a loss but after his past fortnight, he looks back to his best. After appearing lost in defence, looking weak and unable to affect the contest, I thought he was phenomenal with his effort today.

A better tackling performance I can not recall seeing. While the Dockers seemed to break tackles at will, when Gibbs tackled, they stuck. Hardest tackle in football to stop a guy running straight at you but Gibbs did it beautifully and was rewarded for it.

Also, how good was his reading of the ball and defensive marking? Looked like Luke Hodge out there at times. Took a game high 4 contested marks and was clearly our best defender on the night.

Like most, I've been critical of the MC for playing him in defence. The idea was clear but the execution was lacking. He's shown how damaging he is forward of centre however he was forced down back for team balance even when it wasn't working.

Credit to the MC for sticking to it though and it's starting to pay dividends.

 

[Tas]

I think if he was playing in the middle you guys would have won, hate seeing mids play too much time in defence like Hodge, Wells, etc.

 

[Sin City]

Yep, he was excellent tonight.

 

[Bic]

Good post.

No doubting his talent, he is a beautiful kick, and can win the ball in the middle, but the only reason I see him down back is the same reason St Kilda play Goddard down there and the Hawks did with Hodge the past couple of years...

He doesn't have the penetration with the ball as Goddard does, but he hits targets, and showed tonight he can take a contested mark.

Will be interesting where we see Gibbs in the future.

 

[goreds]

I think he plays more like Goddard with more footy smarts and a better tackler...

He will be our best player in 12 months time!

 

[Silvagnis]

Gibbs would be close to the best overhead mark I've seen play for Carlton.

Bryce's reading of the play and clean grabs is a delight to watch.

Disagree to an extent with the call on Gibbs not being a long kick.

Roosted a 65 metre pass off one step against Essendon and hit Kade on the tit. Also unloaded another ball burster against Port from half back that set up a goal and quick break.

A shame Lucas isn't available to release Gibbs to the midfield because he's a similar player and size.

Jack Riewoldt should have gone at one...

 

[scomac]

Gibbs would be close to the best overhead mark I've seen play for Carlton.

Wow thats a statement hes no Ken Hunter but okay.

 

[Bic]

Gibbs would be close to the best overhead mark I've seen play for Carlton.

Bryce's reading of the play and clean grabs is a delight to watch.

Disagree to an extent with the call on Gibbs not being a long kick.

Roosted a 65 metre pass off one step against Essendon and hit Kade on the tit. Also unloaded another ball burster against Port from half back that set up a goal and quick break.

A shame Lucas isn't available to release Gibbs to the midfield because he's a similar player and size.

Jack Riewoldt should have gone at one...

Maybe based off my post, not saying Gibbs isn't a long kick, but a penetrating kick is a far different thing... A Goddard 65 metre pass will put a bruise on your chest.

 

[blues4flag]

Maybe based off my post, not saying Gibbs isn't a long kick, but a penetrating kick is a far different thing... A Goddard 65 metre pass will put a bruise on your chest.

He does lack the penetration that Goddard does but he's an incredibly smart user of the footy and tends to always kick it to the advantage of his teammates.

Our most penetrating kick at the moment is probably Ellard...

 

[Sir CJ]

Was awesome tonight, he's got his confidence back, his tackling and marking have been a feature in the last few weeks, he just reads the play really well when on

 

[zeeCFC]

He was huge tonight

 

[Silvagnis]

Wow thats a statement hes no Ken Hunter but okay.

I didn't get to see Hunter play.

Hope ROK, Tuohy and Lucas are AFL fit and in form next year to release Gibbs up the field.

 

[KoutoufidesGhost]

He's always been a good tackler.

Gibbs is a perfect fit for the Goddard / Hodge / Enright role, and should be left there forever. In the era of frontal pressure we're in, getting clean ball out of the backline is difficult and incredibly important. Most goals these days will come from attacks launched off of half back, and Gibbs is our launcher.

His reading of the play is also superb - see 4 contested marks tonight, as well as numerous defensive spoils.

 

[scomac]

I didn't get to see Hunter play.

Hope ROK, Tuohy and Lucas are AFL fit and in form next year to release Gibbs up the field.

Gee now i know im getting old.

 

[The Big Sticks]

Gibbs' form has improved during the last few games. So has Jamison's. I would say we are in with a chance against Sydney

 

[Kades_Dad]

RATTEN! WHERE ARE YOUR FOOTBALLING BRAINS?

Please, please, please, please please....

PLAY GIBBS IN THE MIDDLE!

 

[jimsta10]

Gibbs would be close to the best overhead mark I've seen play for Carlton.

Bryce's reading of the play and clean grabs is a delight to watch.

Disagree to an extent with the call on Gibbs not being a long kick.

Roosted a 65 metre pass off one step against Essendon and hit Kade on the tit. Also unloaded another ball burster against Port from half back that set up a goal and quick break.

A shame Lucas isn't available to release Gibbs to the midfield because he's a similar player and size.

Jack Riewoldt should have gone at one...

What he said

 

[PooMonkey]

B.J. Goddard mark II!!

We missed out on Goddard back in the day - but Gibbs looks like he is moving more and more into that mould of player and will be a "Quarterback" style player for the remainder of his time at the Blues IMO.

He has the smarts and skill to really hurt teams from there and I believe we have enough midfield depth to warrant playing him back.

 

[Silvagnis]

According to the Herald-Sun, Gibbs was number one for metres gained last night.

667 metres put Gibbs ahead of Hill, Mundy and Simpson.

Top game.