Josh 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.
He was one of a trio of injuries for Yze in his second game at the helm, with Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Tylar Young (concussion) also going down.
But those blows didn’t dampen the Tiger spirit, with Yze’s men still pushing Carlton to five points in a spirited contest.
Adem Yze speaks on how proud he was of Richmond's leaders for stepping up and making on-field adjustments to accommodate the injuries the Tigers had suffered during last nights game.
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The first-time senior coach says it’s an improvement on Opening Round, but Richmond remains far from the full picture.
“Last week (against Gold Coast) we weren’t happy at all with the way we played and the way the game looked,” Yze added.
“So that part of it was an improvement but in saying that, there were still elements of our game we’re still not getting everything we want… there are little elements where we’re not getting all three phases of our game in check.”
Richmond wasn’t tipped for much in Yze’s first season at the helm but the Tigers will be looking to break their duck against Port Adelaide in Round 2.