Bryce Gibbs - Football Phenom

He’s not yet 17-years-old, but Bryce Gibbs is already a wanted man. The subject of an ongoing tug-of-war battle between the AFL and the Adelaide Crows, he’s one of the best young footballers in Australia and is expected to soon become a superstar at the highest level. Antimo Iannella finds out what’s behind all the hype.

It’s a pleasant summer’s day in the Adelaide beachside suburb of Glenelg and amidst the lunchtime rush on Jetty Road, a tall, lean teenager, with a mop of shaggy hair and a Boost Juice in hand emerges from the crowd.

“Hey, I’m Bryce Gibbs,” he says towards me, offering a firm handshake.

The name may not yet produce instant recognition among the average football observer, however, to the die-hard supporters of lowly AFL clubs, he represents hope and the prospect of future on-field success. To the Adelaide Crows and their legion of devotees, he’s simply the youngster that got away.

The 16-year-old son of Glenelg legend, Ross Gibbs, Bryce has been the talk of the town for more than nine months, after it was first revealed the incredibly-gifted young player would be available to Adelaide at the 2006 National Draft under the AFL’s father-son rule. However, the league dashed those dreams in July last year, determining that his dad had in fact failed to chalk up the required 200 SANFL games between 1970 and 1990.

While the ruling devastated expectant fans and disappointed all associated with the ‘Pride of South Australia’, it seems the lifelong Kangaroos supporter was left largely unconcerned, only querying the widespread reaction and heavy media coverage.

“I thought early on it was blown a bit out of proportion. Getting drafted and playing at the highest level was still a year and a half away,” he said. “I’d prefer to stay in Adelaide among family and friends, but I’d venture anywhere to play AFL. I’d play in Tasmania if I had to.”

The Crows have since appealed to the League regarding the decision in what many see as a futile exercise- a final verdict is anticipated before the end of the month- but their persistence comes as no surprise when you delve into the exceptional talent that is Bryce Gibbs.

As with most footballers, he began his career at primary school in the Year 3 team at Paringa Park, where he delighted in having a kick and a catch amongst friends and developed his strong love of the game. Soon after, Gibbs joined his local club, Plympton, allowing him to devote his entire weekend to the sport.

“I’d play with Paringa on the Saturday and with Plympton on Sunday. And after dad retired from the Tigers, I’d also go down to Victor Harbor and help out with his team there, running water, in the change rooms, wherever.”

Football was now definitely in the blood and every night, Gibbs senior would take his young son down to the local oval, where they’d hone the skills that would dazzle in coming years.

By the age of 14, Gibbs graduated to the Glenelg Under-17s side, which was coached by none other than his old man. Already exceptionally skillful with an intuitive feel for the game, Gibbs junior was so good the team’s game plan was reportedly simplified down to the one instruction: ‘Kick it to Bryce’.

It’s a claim he lightheartedly disputes, emphasizing that he worked hard and didn’t get any preferential treatment.

“Nah, that wasn’t really the case. When I first started I didn’t want to be seen as making the team because my dad was coach, so I wanted to make sure that I could make the side on my own. I’m sure a few of the boys in the team thought it was a bit funny, but he (Ross) knew and I knew I was good enough.”

SANFL reserves football followed the next season though Gibbs still managed to win the Tigers’ 2004 Under 17s best and fairest award, while also captaining the South Australian under 16s team at the national championships. His impressive performances at that level moved Port Adelaide Power’s coach Mark Williams, to describe him as the most talented young player he’d ever seen at that age.

The buzz surrounding Gibbs was growing, and it would only increase when he made his league debut for Glenelg in round seven of last year, just weeks after his 16th birthday. In a fairytale start, he booted a goal with his first touch and before long, the Adelaide media picked up on his story.

Gibb’s potential to be a bargain third-round draft choice for the main team in town had the spotlight firmly positioned on the prodigy. It’s a focus that perplexes Gibbs even now, and he refuses to let the hype or uncertainty bother him.

“I find it all a bit weird; I’m just a kid that loves playing footy. They (the media) all go on about this and that, I don’t even know what’s going on,” he said. “I just try to get a kick and a handball each week, play with my mates and enjoy myself.”

Clearly, the young phenom has not let his early brush with fame go to his head. Attentive to my questions and articulate in his responses, the laid-back Gibbs seems perfectly suited to the beachside café scene and he’s completely relaxed as we chat about the season ahead.

“The goal is to play the whole year in the league team, preferably on-ball in the midfield. Mark (new coach Mark Mickan) sees no reason why I can’t do it. If I just try to have as good a year as I can with Glenelg, then the rest will take care of itself.”

It is a constant refrain from Gibbs, named the club’s most outstanding junior in 2005 despite 13 senior games. He’s not taking anything for granted and preaches caution when discussing a future AFL career. Gibbs is well aware there’s a lot of toil ahead but importantly, he’s relishing the possibility.

“I’ve been working hard, hitting the weights over the off-season, trying to get buff,” he says with a grin. “I have put on about 5kg so far, and I’m up to 80kg now. I’m hoping to get even bigger.”

As one of the South Australian winners of an annual scholarship to the AIS/AFL academy, Gibbs was invited to train for a week with the Crows during their tough pre-season and it is an experience that has left him salivating for more.

“I just loved it. It inspired me even more, I thought it was the best lifestyle, training all day and playing footy. All the boys were fantastic, especially Brett Burton, Kris Massie and Nathan Bassett.

“It was just a taste of what it could be like, if it happens, but I had an awesome time.”

Outside of his burgeoning football career, the 187cm tall Gibbs is like any average teenager. Spending time with his close mates ranks as a high priority, as does listening to his favourite music, which varies depending on his mood. The Brighton Year 12 student also has aspirations that extend beyond the sporting field.

“I hope to get there (AFL) first but at the same time I want to keep studying something, though I’m not sure exactly what yet. They always say there should be something after footy, and I think so too, so regardless if it happens (AFL), I’ll be trying to go to uni or do some sort of study.”

It’s that level-headed, mature outlook which remains Gibbs’ most impressive quality.

Before concluding our conversation, I asked for his standout football moment thus far, anticipating a reply detailing a brilliant personal game or a particularly memorable goal.

“One comes straight to my head: first league game, the match finished and we’ve won…we were walking off the oval and all the boys were pushing me in front to walk off first, and all my mates and family were standing at the race as I was walking in and they were all clapping and cheering ... I couldn’t believe it, it was great.”

And for this young man, it’s only going to get better.

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