AFL 2024: Richmond gun Josh Gibcus out for season with ACL injury

Richmond coach Adem Yze will try to resist pressure to throw Noah Balta into defence after scans confirmed luckless defender Josh Gibcus would miss the entire season.

Gibcus ruptured his ACL in a heavy landing on his right leg during a marking contest in the second quarter of the Tigers’ five-point loss to Carlton on Thursday night.

The 20-year-old will be forced into another long rehab period after only just overcoming a series of hamstring issues which kept him sidelined in 2023, as Richmond prepares to revamp a backline which will also be without Tylar Young next week due to concussion.

Yze said on Thursday night it would be “gut-wrenching” to see Gibcus out for the season if the Tigers’ fears were confirmed.

Young’s departure from the game during the third quarter forced Yze to move Balta into defence after the explosive tall had booted three goals in one of the best performances of his career.

The coach said he was reluctant to make that switch a permanent one while Gibcus was sidelined, after the Tigers “looked really potent” with Balta partnering the fit-again Tom Lynch up forward.

“We tried to hold Noah just because of his ruck work and some of his forward craft … and obviously Tylar Young started feeling some (concussion) symptoms at halftime – to lose both defenders then we had to pull the lever with Noah, and to his credit he was terrific,” Yze said after the game.

“We went in with a smaller team, so to lose two guys close to 200cm was always going to be tough to cover.

“The balance of our team looked better (with Lynch and Balta forward) – we had more opportunity at ground level, we looked really potent when we sent the ball in deep … our small players really enjoyed playing underneath them.”

Yze said he was leaning towards recalling a key defender for the Tigers’ clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG next Sunday, with 198cm Ben Miller likely to move to fullback after strong VFL form since returning to a defensive role over the pre-season.

“(Balta) has produced two really strong games – I really believe in what he’s doing as a ruck and power forward,” he said.

“So if we’ve got to cover the other end, I think I’ll be leaning with bringing in a key defender and not throwing him back just yet.

“I think (backs coach) Ben Rutten might want to get him back to cover for Youngy or for Gibbo, but I’m really enjoying what I’m seeing from Noah and Lynchy.”

Tall utility Jacob Bauer and Hawthorn recruit Jacob Koschitzke would be alternative options to Miller in defence, although Koschitzke looks set for a stint regaining confidence in the VFL after a difficult four-disposal debut in opening round.