Carlton’s cheer squad build great relationships with their on-field heroes and often extend an open invitation to retired players to join them behind the goals at any time that suits.
But even they got a surprise when one of their favourites Bryce Gibbs, who ended his career at the Crows, turned up to sit with them at Adelaide Oval in the opening match of Gather Round.
That is a brave enough move at the best of times, but when the opposition is your former club, making your way into the cheer squad is an admirable gesture, with Gibbs’ son Charlie also joining in the fun.
It wasn’t a provocative move, however, as Gibbs is one of footy’s good guys who never hid his love for the club where he played 231 games before crossing to the Crows for the final three years of his career, notching up 37 games in their colours.
The remarkable thing about the visit was that Gibbs wasn’t the only former Blue in the cheer squad, with former Blue Barnaby French – who played 71 games at Carlton after 62 with Port Adelaide – also spending the game among the Blues’ cheer squad’s flags and chants.
From left to right: Nic Caruso-Wishart, Charlie Gibbs, Bryce Gibbs, and Jovan Kurilic.Credit: Nic Caruso-Wishart
Nic Caruso-Wishart, who is on the cheer squad committee, said Gibbs’ and French’s presence meant a lot and went some way to softening the blow that came when the Crows kicked eight of the first nine goals to put the result beyond doubt.
“It was an ongoing joke we had with Bryce that we were going to get him [to sit with us] one day,” Caruso-Wishart said.
“Then, sure enough, he lobbed unannounced … he is the sort of bloke who has always been asking how can I pay back to the fans.”
Caruso-Wishart said Gibbs even took the time to explain to some of the children sitting beside him why Carlton was struggling in the contest, and posed for a photo with anyone who asked.
After a couple of losses in a row, the spirit at Carlton remains: Once a bagger, always a bagger.
Wait man, have you got a spare pair of jocks?
On the Saturday night of Gather Round, as the rain bucketed down, livewire forward Cody Weightman made his return for the Western Bulldogs as they took on Port Adelaide.
Having been on the sidelines through injury, it had been a while since Weightman had travelled and he forgot to pack the trusty pair of jocks he wears during games. Not one for speedos, he wears more loose fitting ones, with a club source confirming he decided – upon arrival at the ground – he had no other choice but to borrow a pair from his teammate, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
Weightman played well, kicking four goals in the loss and all was in order when he got to Perth for Friday night’s match against Fremantle. The friendly character wore a big grin in the post-match interview with Fox Footy, when Jordan Lewis cheekily asked Weightman if he had the chance to shop for new underwear.
The return of Cody Weightman has given the Bulldogs a boostCredit: AFL Photos
Meanwhile, on the final day of Gather Round, as SA Premier Peter Malinauskas and Gillon McLachlan prepared to announce to Sunday’s crowd at Adelaide Oval that the round would remain in Adelaide until 2026, the AFL CEO was on the phone seeking agreement from the AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh for the extra round.
That agreement wasn’t forthcoming, although Marsh pointed out to McLachlan that the round could occur whether it was an extra round or not, but any extra round would need to be agreed to in the upcoming CBA negotiations.
Snap Shot has no doubt it will, but whether standby jocks can become a clause … who knows?
On the coach’s whiteboard
Before you go, here are …
Five lines Snap Shot believes Gillon McLachlan could use to justify staying on as AFL CEO beyond mid-year if that is what he wants:
- When Richard and I sat on the couch in front of the MAFS experts and he wrote ‘Stay’, I had no other option.
- When I announced my intention to leave I never said ‘for good’, so until I do – a la Tom Brady – I’m here.
- Succession is just a TV series.
- Leaving means different things to different people.
- I wanted to prove that a souffle can rise twice.
He said:
“A night I won’t forget, thank you.” – Carlton’s Alex Cincotta on Instagram after a hard-earned debut.
But he forgot to say:
“With the roof and the debut, and the lack of sleep due to nerves, I thought it was night by the time 3.20pm rolled around.”
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