Toast Bryce Gibbs Appreciation Thread

[Wickzki]

#4 - Bryce Gibbs



2007 Rising Star Nomination
2007 Carlton Best First Year Player
2014 John Nicholls Medal Winner

When Bryce was first drafted to Carlton I was living in the United States. I never had access to watch any of the games. For his first two seasons the reports that I got from family and friends back home were that Carlton had found its next champion. That champion was Bryce.

Throughout the journey there have been ups and there have been downs. We were never able to put a capable enough team to aide our Big Four (our 3 #1s and Juddy) to win a premiership. Injuries have slowed the other three but throughout it all there has been one constant. That constant has been Bryce. Regardless of whether or not Gibbsy was played out of position, he was to his detriment, he has almost always been the consummate professional.

I've seen champion players leave the team that I love before. The most recent example before Gibbs was LaMarcus Aldridge (Rip City represent!). Some of those feelings have returned. I am excited and full of hope to see the next iteration of the Carlton Football Club. However, what was lacking with Aldridge but is present with Gibbs is that rare feeling of sadness. Of emptiness.

I was sitting down watching Fox Sports 500 at my ex girlfriend's place this morning when the news filtered through. First, BigFooty and then Fox. At first I was akin to a child on Christmas morning. I wanted to unwrap my new presents. "What did we get? What magic did SOS create this time?" and then almost as quickly the polar opposite reaction came to me. I felt similar feelings to when my mother passed away and when I've known friends have left my life to move on with theirs in other parts of the world. I felt my body shake. I was overcome with sorrow. For several minutes I cried.

I cried when Juddy broke his knee and everyone knew he was retiring. I've cried after heartbreaking losses (the West Coast travesty comes to mind). But it wasn't supposed to end this way for Bryce and for the Blues. I've had this dream where Matthew Kreuzer lifts the premiership trophy aloft in his last ever game. But I always pictured Gibbsy alongside him. Two old savvy veterans who could have delivered last more ending their careers in a blaze of glory.

And while you can never say never when it comes to football... I say thank you, Bryce. Thank you for the eleven season and 231 games that you have bled navy blue. Ask your new teammate, Eddie Betts. He still bleeds navy. And I believe that you will too. I hope you guys win a premiership. I truly do. So many of us do. I wish you the best of luck at home in Adelaide. But most of all, I say thank you.

You'll always be welcome back.

 

[LordLucifer]

Happy to see him go, played some decent footy with us but was always a chance to go back to SA at some stage.

 

[The Edukator]

SOS is an animal. Good luck to Bryce.

 

[SHOWEY]

Thanks Bryce for been a true professional this year when you could have easily let your standards drop. Thanks for the years of service and hope you get a well deserved premiership

 

[blues4flag]

My favourite footballer. Shattered to see him down, but ever onwards and upwards. Footy in 2017 has no place for sentiment, unfortunately.

Will be a bittersweet moment to see him and Eddie wearing premiership medallions, hope they get it done next year.

 

[gandaal]

Thanks Bryce. You're time at the club didn't really work out the way we all wanted but I appreciate all the great moments you provided to the navy blues.

 

[3rd Grade Maggy]

Thanks for everything except the man-bun.

 

[BlackGoanna]

Bryce who???

 

[Broadside]

Good luck Bryce.

#putyourmanbunsout

 

[nike1]

thank you bryce.
good luck, just not against us.

 

[kingkingston]

Great player for us. He earned a lot more respect for the way he handled himself after last years failed trade

 

[BlueBoyKarva]

Thanks for everything Gibbs! I loved watching you play from day 1! All the best!

 

[KohPhi]

Thanks Gibbsy.. will always be a Blue.

 

[gbatman]

Thank you Bryce, good result for all providing we use these draft picks! Up to us to make it work!

 

[ODNBlue]

Thanks Bryce. You've seen the worst of us. I'm just sorry you'll be playing for someone else when you see the best of us.

 

[1shay]

Thanks Gibbsy - best of luck over in Adelaide.

Will be good to see you in Adelaides, Blues team!

 

[Just Kreuzing]

All the best Gibbsy, one of our my favourite players during the past decade or so, exquisite skills and always played multiple roles/positions for the greater benefit of the team.

He will be a great addition to the Crows with this versatility to fill the holes Lever, Smith have created or push into the midfield to support Sloane and the Crouch brothers with a bit of class.

 

[ajb72]

Thanks for your efforts Bryce.

 

[Faz 2000]

Thanks for the service, Bryce. Probably never quite hit the heights we'd hoped for, but you're 2/3s into a seriously good career.

Hope it works out at Adelaide for you, and hope your final gift to the Blues is the stars we discover with these picks.

 

[Navy Cream]

Thanks Bryce. All the best for the future.....just not against Carlton.

Go BLUES!!

 

[bluemahogany]

Catcha champ

 

[jimsta10]

a gentlemen during the trade period...didnt want him to go..but it had to be done. good luck Gibba!

 

[BlueVision]

Thanks Bryce for your years at Carlton, sorry to see you go, but footy is a business & this certainly seems a win for the Blues long term.

 

[therubbernub]

You and Eddie are welcome back any time. Thanks for years of service. A very unselfish player, always willing to do the team thing- even today ... willing to leave his girlfriend in Melbourne!

 

[AB_Blue]

Happy/sad/excited/daunted and that's juts how I feel

Imagine how Bryce feels

Good luck I hope your footy is great and we beat you when we play