Mick Gibbons is officially a Carlton player after the Blues announced his signing on Friday night.
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The Coolamon junior was informed of the news at Carlton’s pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast, ending what many believe to be one of the biggest injustices in the game.
Gibbons had been knocking the door down for the last five years at VFL level, only to be continually overlooked by AFL clubs.
Carlton offered Gibbons a lifeline in December when they invited him to do the pre-season with the club.
Less than two months later, Carlton announced Gibbons as one of two signings under the new pre-season supplemental selection period system.
Gibbons took to social media to thank everyone for their support.
“Want to say thank you to everyone for reaching out today, been a crazy afternoon,” Gibbons wrote on Instagram.
“Firstly, thank you to Carlton for giving me an opportunity to live out a dream.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. From Coolamon, Lavington, Murray Bushrangers and of course Williamstown for the past five years.
“Cant wait to get started. #BoundByBlue.”
Blues great and Carlton general manager of list management and strategy, Stephen Silvagni, praised Gibbons as a quality person on and off the field.
“’Gibbo’ in particular has done everything he possibly can over the last five years to give himself an opportunity and now he has one. We believe he will really add some energy for us up forward and through the middle of the ground,” Silvagni said on Carlton’s website.
Respected Riverina mentor Matt Hard coached Gibbons at Coolamon and has been one of his biggest supporters since.
He was thrilled by Carlton’s decision.
“Most could say he was unlucky five years ago not to get drafted but in that time what he has achieved along the way with many knock backs and at no stage lost sight of his dream,” Hard said.
“Watching the Carlton reaction just gives you goosebumps. I’m confident it’s the start of an exciting chapter and career for Micky, and we couldn’t be happier for him.”
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