The thing is however; the more I watch Gibbs, the more clear the comparison with Travis Johnstone becomes. It is no doubt a disturbing one for Carlton fans, but valid nonetheless. Travis Johnstone, now at Brisbane but initially drafted by Melbourne in 1997 has been reincarnated as another number one draft pick 9 years later and wears the number 4 jersey for the Blues.

Saturday night was his 50th game and while Gibbs is still young and has shown promise, he shows several frustrating and worrying traits. I should know, as a Melbourne fan I’ve seen it all before with Travis Johnstone.

In the late nineties, many Demons fans thought Johnstone was a gift from god until most of us suddenly realized in mid-2007 that his career had been a waste. He was a favourite, but inconsistent and upon reflection he left myself and many other fans feeling empty and unfulfilled. In his time at the Demons he only delivered two top-ten club ‘best and fairest’ awards. Let us not forget that he pulled on the Blue and Red Guernsey for a decade. That return, in that sort of time from a player with that much ability is undoubtedly an under achievement.

Travis Johnstone had supposedly elite pinpoint disposal yet his career kicking efficiency reads 68%. Any time there was pressure on his disposal, he would crumble and turnovers would result. I see the same worrying trends with Bryce Gibbs and even more worrisome is the tendency for ‘clanger’ or ineffective kicks that Gibbs can commit whilst under no pressure. Technically his action is suspect and almost looks like he stubs his toe in his kicking action. His 5.3 ineffective kicks per match in 2009 is testament to this. 

Bryce Gibbs has shown he has the ability to get the ball in the same manner Travis Johnstone has over the last 10 years. Smart players know where to position themselves and can rack up the touches. The problem lies in the fact they are both receivers and just as Johnstone has been a front runner for a decade, I feel Carlton have one on their hands in Bryce Gibbs. Gibbs averages 2 contested possessions per match in 2009, an unacceptably low number for any midfielder. He seems a champion when others around him give him supply, but is far too reliant on others to perform. Downhill skiers like Johnstone and potentially Gibbs are nowhere to be found when the team needs leadership and the game is there to be won.

The lack of toughness Travis Johnstone possesses was my biggest source of frustration. He picked and chose which contests to enter and was heinously inconsistent. Against Essendon in round 3 and Sydney in round 4 Gibbs continually avoided tough physical contests when the game wanted just that. Gibbs waits outside the contest as a receiver leaving the grunt work for Carlton’s other midfielders. The Essendon match was particularly disappointing as he was nowhere to be found when the game intensified and over the course of the match he was smashed by Jason Winderlich.

I am not condemning Gibbs to a career of failure, but I don’t believe he is destined for the great achievements that many have foretold. At times he will amaze Carlton fans but for consistent periods he will frustrate with a constant lack of consistency, toughness and periodically sloppy kicking skills. It’s certainly not all doom and gloom for Carlton fans. Gibbs is young and can improve if he works on his deficiencies. Travis Johnstone arrived at Melbourne and his bad habits were nurtured by a lack of leadership. Gibbs has one of the greatest leaders and mentors in Judd and one of the worst on and off field leaders in Fev.