Anyone know?

All pre-season and now into the H&A season he seems to be playing a fair bit outside of the true midfield, and arguably not being as prominent as he could be.

I know he ended up with 25 touches last night, but stone me if he wasn't very quiet in the 1st half.

Are they protecting him? Or are they not playing him in the guts bec he hasn't signed yet? Or do they think he is best used outside of the middle where his good kicking skills can be utilised once the ball has been freed up, ie: he is the go-to-man in so far as he is the player we try to get the ball to out in the open?

Just think for such a talent he's not really having enough impact right now. Not necessarily saying it is his fault.

Want to see other posters' thoughts. Anyone out there know how we are using him and why we are using him that way?

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

Plays deep in midfield in a play-making role without truly dropping back into defence. The La Liga fans amongst us would call him a 'volante' or I guess 'steering wheel' is the relevant translation.

Personally I've seen him play up the corridor as much as anyone this pre-season and season, but he can only go where the ball is. Had 10 or 12 touches to half time and was one of our few prime movers getting more kicks away than handballs, which means he was either being released or finding space.

I have zero problems with a barely 21 year-old midfielder pulling the strings in our midfield seemingly unnoticed.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

He seems to be playing on a wing in the first 2 rounds, and in the midfield/ wing during the preseason.

I think he is a fantastic footy player when in the thick of it. He has an uncanny ability to get an accurate disposal even when tackled.

I think the engine room with McLean and Scotland there (and maybe Hadley at times), with support from Carrazzo and Murphy is ample weaponry for the hard get.

For this reason, I think we can afford the luxury of having Judd and Gibbs, and even Murphy and Simmo as the outriders positioned to receive the hard ball gets from our mids. This gives us an opportunity to carry the ball (usually Judd does that) and pass accurately further upfield to help set up, if not kick goals.

It's always hard to see the positives when we lose.
Last week I thought Gibbs didn't stand out in an even team contribution.
I thought the same about the mids last night. A good even contribution from a winning midfield combination.

Maybe some prefer to see Gibbs forward of centre kicking for goal, but that's just another option.
It doesn't make that thought right or wrong. Gibbs anywhere is a class act.
Where do we get more bang for our busk is the real question, and that will differ in every game.
I'm just glad we have Gibbs at our disposal. He's doing allright.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Houlihan is ahead of Gibba atm - Gibba is a class act and should be played forward of center without a doubt.

We need his ball use - players like Carrazzo should be used less forward of center.

Like most players of his ilk he is playing a variety of roles. He is doing pretty well too. Stitched up Deludio and last night was cleaner with his hands and his kicking than most. Probably not in the thick of it too much in the first half but worked his way into it and finished with good stats.

..a midfield play maker role i'd say.. ..he's not a ball carrier though [not usually], more often he'll set-up via a kick..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Might as well have been the missionary position last night...very ordinary. Get Boak.

Wouldn't say he stitched up Deledio. They both had about 22 touches and while Bryce kicked 2 gls I think Deledio got 1 too.

Last night he was fairly quiet up until half time.

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

Right now, he is that far behind Kruezer and Murph its not funny....in fact it's worrying. We did not pick him at #1 to be flowering tagger. He is a Nathan Buckley type and is being played as a Matthew Hogg type. He should be the midfield architect, pinpointing passes to the forwards, then slipping into the forward line to kick 1-1.5 goals a game. Right now, he is the most overrated player on our list!

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

he is having little impact with his touches. I think he needs to play a luke hodge style role off hakf back

Last year he dominated our stats in terms of setting up chains of possession that led to a goal, which would be the definition of a playmaker.

This season we're two weeks in. Wait a little bit.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Gibbs, unlike Murphy and Judd, actually cares about his opponent but he does need to be more attacking when the opportunity presents itself. Is already a quality player and will only improve.

Yeah sorry probably a wrong choice of words. He was asked to sacrifice his game to stop one of the only play makers richmond had and he did that and added to it by kicking a couple of goals. The stats i read had him ahead of Deludio on touches also.
Cant really complain about his lack of attack in that game.

+1

Also whoever thinks Gibbsy is overrated should have another think about it!

He is a freak!

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When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way!

+1

Definate quality but not turning it on at the moment. Is it because of his "position", coaches instruction or other who knows?

Also what is the go with his signing? Is he waiting for more, or is he ready to go at year's end?

Would like some commitment from a "number 1"; otherwise let's start to look for a better deal. If he isn't interested in staying, I'm not interested in keeping him.

Kruezer & Murph are true blue!!!

doesn't work hard enough.

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Dut, de dut, de daaa!

Simply playing his role in the team as the playmaker. Doesn't need to be in and under at Carlton, just use the boy to his strengths.

20 kicks
8 marks
8 handballs
1 goal
8 clearances
5 1st posessions
8 inside 50's

Maybe he could apply a few more tackles, but I wouldn't say that's a week point in his game, it could simply be the opportunity to tackle didn't present as often.

5 1st possessions and 8 clearances would suggest he was in the thick of it...

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

I am happy for him to gets stats like that (tackles aside) if it means we get an even spread of players contributing.

Collingwood players all seem to get low numbers but they play as a team and each player contributes and the get results.

Gibbs was in the thick of it, but several times he got the ball in traffic and scrubbed a kick without his normal time-bending calmness and vision.