Injured Richmond defender Josh Gibcus has been helping out with the club's AFLW group as he recovers from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), joining the backline ranks.
Gibcus showed plenty of promise after being taken with Pick 9 in the 2021 National Draft, but has struggled to consistently find himself on the field, battling with multiple hamstring issues and more recently, his knee injury in Round 1 this year.
During rehabilitation, the 21-year-old has been working with the Tigers' women's side assisting in their backline with coaching.
Coach Adem Yze expressed that Gibcus is the type of person that is needed around football clubs.
"For him, right now, he's going through his rehab but he's helping out with the AFLW program, and he's travelling with the team this week for their last practice match," Yze said, according toย AFL media.
"It's the type of character we want around the footy club."
Gibcus commitment to the club has earned him a contract extension to see him remain at the Tigers till at least the end of 2026.
"I'm rapt for him, and that's the kind of kid he is. He really deserves it, and he deserves a go, he deserves a free run at it. He has a heart of gold, works so hard on his game, and he's just been so unlucky," Yze said.
"I wish I could have given him more, Blair (Hartley, GM football talent) only gave him a couple. But he's the kind of guy you would give a really long-term deal to. He's a great leader around our footy club."
The 21-year-old is not the first player to spend some time with his club's AFLW side while rehabbing a long-term injury, retired Western Bulldog Josh Bruce did the same back in 2021 and 2022 when he was recovering from a ruptured ACL.
