Tigers back hard luck Josh Gibcus, a long-term AFL player
Following his latest injury setback, luckless Josh Gibcus has been publicly reassured that he will be a “long-term” AFL player for Richmond.
The Tigers defender requires a knee reconstruction that will keep him out for the rest of the season after rupturing his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in Thursday night’s tight loss to Carlton at the MCG.
New Richmond coach Adem Yze remarked after the game that the 20-year-old’s latest professional setback is “gut-wrenching”.
But when the Tigers confirmed the worst on Friday, they also made it clear that they will stand by him.
“We’re all very disappointed for Josh. “It is terrible luck after what he has already experienced on the injury front in his brief career,” Tigers football performance manager Tim Livingstone said in a club statement.
“Josh battled through last year with his head up and put in a lot of work to come back to full fitness for this season.
“We see Josh as a long-term player and a vital part of our future, so we will provide him with all of the assistance he requires as he works toward his comeback in 2025.
“He is still so young and has a lot of football ahead of him despite this setback. We are aware of his character and professionalism.
Gibcus missed all of last season due to a hamstring injury, and Thursday night was his second game back.
However, he fell awkwardly on his knee following a marking contest in the second term.
Gibcus, distraught, was transported from the field to Richmond’s quarters via medical cart.
He follows Keidean Coleman (Brisbane Lions) and Sam Docherty (Carlton), both of whom suffered ACL injuries in last week’s first round.
In his post-game press conference, Yze stated that the Tigers were “touching all the wood we can get” and that the injury was not as serious as it has already been revealed.
Gibcus, a top-10 draft pick in 2021, has appeared in 20 games since his 2022 debut.
Richmond fought valiantly against the premiership-contending Blues, a significant improvement on the Tigers’ 39-point loss to the Gold Coast last week, which marked the start of the Yze era at Tigerland.
Gibcus was not the only player who suffered a fitness setback throughout the game; seasoned midfielder Dion Prestia also had a hamstring injury.
Prestia has suffered with soft-tissue injuries throughout his career, and Yze admits that starting him against Carlton was a risky decision.
Defender Tylar Young also did not participate in the second half after failing a concussion test, which placed him in the 12-day protocol.
Yze stated, “I feel for (Prestia).” A five-day break always entailed some danger. You talk about pride and being proud of the performance, coming off a five-day hiatus,
