Josh Gibcus is set to reprise his position in Richmond’s back six after returning from an overseas trip that has “worked wonders” on a dodgy hamstring, according to his teammate Nathan Broad.
Gibcus hasn’t played since the 2022 Elimination Final, a season where he burst onto the scene after being taken with a top 10 draft pick the year prior.
The now 20-year-old had his 2023 campaign corrupted by a hamstring injury, leaving him searching for answers.
Those answers came in Qatar, where Gibcus went post-season alongside Tigers physiotherapist Anthony Schache,
Now, he’s set to reap the rewards.
“He’s going awesome, Josh,” Broad told SEN WA Breakfast of his younger teammate.
“He went to Qatar with our head physio in the break and I don’t know what they did to him but it’s worked absolute wonders. He’s flying around the track and he’s making my life a hell of a lot easier having him down there.
“He’ll run around this Sunday against the Dees which is super exciting for the club but also for Josh, it’s obviously been a long road in the rehab group and everyone is excited for him to get a red hot crack at it.”
Gibcus’ initial hamstring grief revolved around a tendon issue that eventually required surgery. Further setbacks meant he wasn’t able to play any professional football in 2023 after 18 games in his debut season.
He spent much of the season in Richmond’s rehabilitation group alongside star forward Tom Lynch, who took no further part in the 2023 season after Round 4.
The details and severity of Lynch’s foot injury have constantly changed across the past 10 months, although the two-time All-Australian is now back training with the Tigers.
While he won’t play Round 1, Broad is confident of Lynch returning sooner rather than later to lead the Tigers’ forward line.
“He (Lynch) hasn’t had a setback as such, it’s just more he’s on the right track and we don’t want to push him too much,” Broad added.
“There’s no setback there, he’s going great guns. He’s in drills at the moment and looks like he hasn’t missed a beat, it’s been a long time out for Tom so there’s no reason to push him.
“We’ve got a five-day break after Gold Coast (in Opening Round) into Carlton, so these things are being weighed up by the fitness staff… we’ve just got to pick the right time and I’m sure the blokes on the big bucks will pick the right time to play him.
“But it will be early in the season, I would say.”
Prior to last year, Lynch had played at least 18 games in every season as a Tiger.
As Broad noted, Adem Yze’s men will step out against the Demons on Sunday morning at Casey Field before a practice game against Collingwood on Tuesday, February 27.