‘I’m not crying, you are’: Everything about Bryce Gibbs’ AFL farewell was perfect

Bryce Gibbs couldn’t have asked for a better send-off.

His Crows won and he found plenty of the ball. Then the post-match respect from teammates and opponents – and former teammates – was heart-warming, his final words were classy and his final walk from the ground was beautiful.

It was a series of moments Gibbs will never forget – and he’ll have plenty of images to put in the pool room to remember them by.

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In his 268th and final AFL game — his 37th at Adelaide after 231 at Carlton — Gibbs collected a season-high 27 disposals to help Adelaide produce its third win in a row, upsetting the Blues by 16 points at Metricon Stadium.

Although Gibbs post-game was lamenting the fact he had a chance to boot a goal with his final kick in the AFL, only for his set-shot attempt to fall short and wide of the mark.

“The old legs couldn’t get that last one home there,” Gibbs told Fox Footy with a cheeky smile.

“It was really nice to end my career on my own terms, playing against my old club. It was a really special day and to get the win was even better.”

But Gibbs’ missed shot, the Blues’ botched finals chance and the possibility Adelaide could remarkably avoid the wooden spoon was all forgotten during six awesome minutes that [paid tribute to the former Blue.

As the final siren sounded, Gibbs was mobbed by Carlton players – many of them teammates he played alongside across his 11 seasons at Princes Park. Veteran Blue Kade Simpson handed him the match ball after the game, while the likes of Zac Fisher, Patrick Cripps, Eddie Betts and many more congratulated him on a great career.

“They’re my best mates, some of these guys were in my wedding party,” Gibbs said.

“The bonds and the friendships I created with these guys are going to last for a lifetime. To share the last game was pretty special.”

Holding the couple’s young daughter Madison in the grandstand, Gibbs’ wife Lauren was in tears as the former Pick 1 came from the ground. She was one of several close family members that were able to fly north to see Gibbs play his final AFL game.

“For them to share this moment as well, we’ll look back in a few years’ time and have really fond memories,” he said.

As he finished up his interview with Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch, Gibbs was all class. He said he hoped Crows fans could see the work coach Matthew Nicks had put into the club’s young players and the improvement they’d shown in recent weeks, adding there were “some exciting times for the Crows ahead”.

Then he looked down the barrel of the camera and delivered a message to Crows and Blues fans that couldn’t farewell him in person.

“I just wanted to say to the Carlton and Adelaide fans that couldn’t be here today, thanks for supporting me over the last 14 years. I really appreciate it,” he said.

Perhaps the most moving part was saved until last.

The two teams formed a guard of honour for Gibbs, who was lifted up and chaired off the ground by Simpson and Marc Murphy to a warm round of applause.

“I’m not crying, you are,” former Carlton teammate Dale Thomas tweeted.

“Bryce Gibbs, class to the end xx”.

And as he walked off the ground with his head held high, Gibbs and Simpson swapped jumpers.

“He’s been a star,” triple premiership forward Cameron Mooney told Fox Footy.

“He was a fantastic player for Carlton, didn’t quite get the career at Adelaide we all thought he was going to have in the last couple of years, it hasn’t quite worked out.

“But to finish off with 268 games, that’s an amazing career.”