GIBCUS HAS “ALREADY PENCILLED IN THE DATE” OF HIS RETURN AS YZE SPEAKS ON SHATTERING BLOWSeb Mottram
SEN
17 March 2024Josh Gibcus has already pinpointed when he wants to return from ACL surgery with his coach, Adem Yze, revealing an insight into the Tigers youngster.
Gibcus went down in heartbreaking circumstances on Thursday night in Richmond’s eventual narrow loss to Carlton and was fearing a diagnosis of a ruptured ACL in the aftermath.
The devastating blow was confirmed on Friday.
The 20-year-old key defender missed 2023 in its entirety with persistent hamstring setbacks but had found full fitness after visiting specialists in Qatar.
He’s now out for the entire 2024 season and Yze – speaking on SEN’s The Run Home - said the club was shattered.
“Waking up this morning, walking into the footy club and seeing Josh Gibcus, it puts everything in perspective,” Yze said on Friday.
“He’s walking out with his mum, just been told he’s going to miss 12 months, it’s shattering for the kid. He’s a terrific player but an amazing character, he’s already pencilled in the date of when he’s going to be back and things like that.
“He’s already setting goals but you feel for him.”
Gibcus' ACL is the third for the code less than two weeks into the new season, with Brisbane's Keidean Coleman and Carlton star Sam Docherty also going down.
Recovery from ACL surgeries typically takes between nine and 12 months but can be longer. Blues defender Zac Williams ruptured his in February last year and returned in time for Round 1.
Gibcus played 17 games in his debut season, back in 2022, after being picked up with pick 9 in the year prior’s National Draft.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/03/16/gibcus-has-already-pencilled-in-the-date-of-his-return-as-yze-speaks-on/
