Could Ross Gibbs have made it in the AFL?

[Hondo]

With his son now a no 1 draft pick, my hypothetical is could Ross Gibbs have made it at AFL level, if the opportunity presented?

[MagareyLegend]

Yes probably, but so could hundreds of others who either did not get drafted, did not want to, did not have the discipline on/off the field or could not be bothered.

[JK]

Yes probably, but so could hundreds of others who either did not get drafted, did not want to, did not have the discipline on/off the field or could not be bothered.

Spot on

[bayman]

NO, BUT HE WOULD HAVE COMFORTABLY PLAYED VFL, HE WAS CONSIDERED A BETTER PLAYER THAN HARDIE IN PERTH BUT CHOSE TO COME TO GLENELG BECAUSE OF THE INFLUENCE FROM GRAHAM CAMPBELL TO COME HERE TO GLENELG RATHER THAN TO GO TO MELBOURNE

[mal]

Ross GIBBS was good enough to play AFL football.
One of the best marks for his size Ive seen
Has a great dropkick is my 'final' remark

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Good point Bayman, VFL definitely!
But the AFL only came into being in the twilight of Ross Gibbs' career so he would've been to old!
Unless this being a hypothetical question about Gibbsy when at his peak during the mid-Eighties!

[GWW]

The guy had freakish skills, could play forward or back equally well. I remember seeing him play for Victor in the GSFL in his late 30's, some of the marks he took and goals he kicked were quite unbelievable.

To me Bryce just looks to be adequately skilled in just about every facet of the game, but as has been mentioned quite a bit, he really doesn't excel too much in any area. His old man, whilst perhaps not the most disciplined player in his day, had all the skills to exceed in the AFL/VFL.

*As a Port supporter not easy to admit this, just trying to give an honest appraisal.

[Hondo]

Good point Bayman, VFL definitely!
But the AFL only came into being in the twilight of Ross Gibbs' career so he would've been to old!
Unless this being a hypothetical question about Gibbsy when at his peak during the mid-Eighties!

Don't get too hung up on the AFL / VFL distinction. My hypothetical was about Ross Gibbs at his peak. His son is maybe a case study of what Ross could have done had he been playing in today's environment of identifying and developing young talent. I think Gibbsy could have easily been a success at the next level - quite a few SANFL players in the 70s and 80s are underrated due to not playing in the VFL, even though many of them could have successfully made the transition.

[XXXXRooster]

Gibbs better than Hardie?? Very interested in that assesment(the Blood-Nutted one was my fav 80's player) Can see the comparison though, Ross definately better in the air

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Ross Gibbs?
Brad Hardie?
Both backmen!
Both Superstars in their respective Leagues round the same time!
Remembering Bulldog Hardie WAS the 1985 Brownlow Medallist!
Borat, you're the Footscray/Glenelg man...
Whad'ya reckon?

[TroyGFC]

R.Gibbs hated training, used to stop off for a punt allegedly while he was meant to be going for a run. (something like that was said at Hall of Fame night??)

[McAlmanac]

To me Bryce just looks to be adequately skilled in just about every facet of the game, but as has been mentioned quite a bit, he really doesn't excel too much in any area.

Neither does James Hird.

[am Bays]

To me Bryce just looks to be adequately skilled in just about every facet of the game, but as has been mentioned quite a bit, he really doesn't excel too much in any area.

Neither does James Hird.

Are you talking strictly footy skills Macca? Hird in his prime had exceptional aerobic power, as an ex-Essendon fitness coach once said to me its no coincidence that our best player is our best athlete....

Bryce's draft camp results make his physical skills average at best where as Hird was in his prime one of the best athletes in the game (and player too)

[McAlmanac]

To me Bryce just looks to be adequately skilled in just about every facet of the game, but as has been mentioned quite a bit, he really doesn't excel too much in any area.

Neither does James Hird.

Are you talking strictly footy skills Macca? Hird in his prime had exceptional aerobic power, as an ex-Essendon fitness coach once said to me its no coincidence that our best player is our best athlete....

Bryce's draft camp results make his physical skills average at best where as Hird was in his prime one of the best athletes in the game (and player too)

Yes, he had a big motor in his prime. I was more referring to the fact he doesn't make many mistakes - not the biggest kick, highest mark, fastest etc, but no real weakness in his game either. Even late in his career, he exerts enormous influence on matches.

[am Bays]

Yep I concur with those sentiments not the best at any one skill but the total package was sensational, best player in the comp for mine 2000-2002

[Benchwarmer]

Put simply, Yes.

I reckon he would have been a 100+ game player if he had gone to Victoria.

[Aerie]

Hird excels in courage (no one is better than him at this in the AFL) and reading the play. Do these count as areas?

[GWW]

Hird excels in courage (no one is better than him at this in the AFL) and reading the play. Do these count as areas?

Fairly reasonable kick, including kick for goal, as well.

[sturt1]

With his son now a no 1 draft pick, my hypothetical is could Ross Gibbs have made it at AFL level, if the opportunity presented?

no