Sam Gibson Biography

Sam Gibson announces his retirement, effective at the end of the 2018 season.

He has played 135 matches, with five for the Crows to date after moving from North Melbourne.

"I'm really grateful for the opportunity to play at the highest level with both the Kangaroos and the Crows," Gibson said.

"North Melbourne gave me a chance when no-one else would and I had six wonderful years at Arden Street with some friendships and memories I'll cherish forever.

"It was a privilege to come to Adelaide late last year and be a part of this football club."

Despite being an elite runner, Sam Gibson says he wants to see the number of interchange rotations stay where they are to prevent the extinction of the game's giants.

"We're a game of all shapes and sizes, and there are big, tall blokes who probably need a break a bit more often," Gibson said.

"You would hate to see those guys eliminated out of the game because we focus too much on running around and that sort of endurance-based athlete in the game."

Adelaide recruit Sam Gibson says his resounding 2km time trial victory on Monday was part of a conscious effort to make a strong impression at his new club.

"There is an element of putting your best foot forward in the first few weeks and trying to make that good impression, and let the guys know you're serious and let them know what you're all about," he said.

Adelaide recruit Sam Gibson has made a strong impression at his new club, with the former North Melbourne midfielder winning the 2km time trial on Monday morning.

"He's an impressive runner, he left a few of us behind," Crows teammate Richard Douglas said.

"He's a quality athlete and he's going to add plenty to our group.

"He brings a wealth of experience and he's a fantastic guy, so we're excited to have him on board."

After enduring a hard tag from Sam Gibson in 2017, Rory Sloane says he will be happy to have the former Kangaroo, now Crows recruit, on the same team in 2018.

"I've played on Sam a few times and he touched me up last season, so it's going to be great not to have to run against him next year and be running with him this time," Sloane said.

Sam Gibson is heading to Adelaide on a one-year deal to join the Crows in a surprise trade with the Kangaroos for pick 91.

"Having started his AFL career at 25 (after playing in the VFL with Box Hill), Sam is still relatively young in football terms," Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said.

"His professionalism and work ethic is well known around the competition and he will add flexibility to our midfield group."

North Melbourne list manager Michael McMahon says midfielder Sam Gibson is a victim of the club's "aggressive" rebuild.

"Some people look upon it as being reasonably aggressive in delisting a player like Sam and that's probably right because he's been a terrific player – he's played 130 games in a row, he's been a model of consistency," McMahon said.

"But at the same time we've got to be mindful of trying to build a bit for the future. We're mindful that having finished 15th we want to make every effort to make sure that we're evolving our list and unfortunately Sam is probably a casualty of that."

Sam Gibson is preparing to plead his case - face to face - with opposition clubs in a bid to prolong his late-starting AFL career.

"It still can be hard to fathom that you can be in the best 22 for 130 weeks, finish sixth in the best and fairest and not get a contract," Gibson said.

"It actually reminds me a lot of when I was 25 and I was hanging out for a draft and speaking with clubs. I was pretty driven then, without knowing what to expect.

"But I'm more driven now, because I've had a taste of it and I know I can compete at the level and it makes me all that more hungry to get excited about the next opportunity – and hopefully I get one."

Sam Gibson's record of having the AFL's longest active consecutive games streak has come to an abrupt end after the midfielder was delisted by North Melbourne.

Gibson had not missed a game since debuting for North in round 12, 2012, against Gold Coast, and extended his unbroken streak to 130 games in the Roos' round 23 win over the Brisbane Lions.

The hard-running midfielder has been one of the Roos' most consistent performers in recent seasons, recording top-10 best and fairest finishes in four of the five full seasons he played: he finished ninth in 2013, seventh in 2014, third in 2016 and seventh this year.

"Sam is without question one of the most determined and dedicated players going around," Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said.

"His durability, leadership, strength of character and persistence has all helped create one of the truly great and inspirational football stories."

Scott Thompson, Jarrad Waite and Ben Jacobs are among seven North Melbourne players whose futures are unlikely to be decided until after this year's trade period.

Thompson (restricted free agent), Waite and Jacobs are set to come out of contract at the end of October, along with Sam Gibson, Aaron Mullett and second-year players Declan Mountford and Corey Wagner.

It's understood North has told some of these players it won't be able to inform them whether they will be offered contract extensions until after the trade period finishes on Thursday, October 19.

Robbie Tarrant caps off a career-best 2016 season with his maiden North Melbourne best and fairest award, winning the club's Syd Barker Medal count narrowly from vice-captain Jack Ziebell.

Tarrant polled 263 votes to pip Ziebell by six votes, while hard-running midfielder Sam Gibson finished third on 234 votes.

Sam Gibson signs a one-year deal with North Melbourne to remain at the club in 2017.

"Sam's run and spread is as good as anyone's in the competition and his durability is another asset for us," North list manager Cameron Joyce said.

"We are rapt both players have recommitted for next season."

Sam Gibson suffers a broken nose and minor facial injuries in a gym accident.

"He's pretty sore at the moment," North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said.

"But the fortunate thing was it happened here, it happened with our club doctor here and he was sent to hospital just to rule out any facial fractures, which he's clear of."

Will Fordham signs a new one-year contract with North Melbourne.

Fordham says he models his game on Sam Gibson's and is aiming to dethrone the Roos' running man now that he has re-signed for 2016.

"I base my game really highly around 'Gibbo'. We've got the same sort of body type and the same sort of attributes – he's a very fit bloke and he plays on a wing as well," Fordham said.

"He's been really good at looking over my shoulder and telling me what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong.

"I had a knee arthroscope before the draft so I missed out on the pre-season time trials, but I can't wait to take Gibbo on next pre-season."

Jamie Macmillan is promoted to North Melbourne's leadership group, replacing Daniel Wells who has stepped down.

Andrew Swallow will continue as captain, with Drew Petrie, Jack Ziebell, Nick Dal Santo, Scott Thompson and Sam Gibson set to resume their official leadership roles.

"Primarily what we're trying to build here, like every club, is a really broad range of leaders," Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said.

"We really feel that to give our emerging leaders a chance to come through we need to have succession plan in place."

Sam Gibson is one of football's most successful late bloomers and his unlikely AFL journey will continue for another two years, with the midfielder signing a new deal with North Melbourne.

Gibson had to wait until he was 26 to make his AFL debut, in round 12, 2012, against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.

But the former Box Hill Hawks captain grabbed that opportunity and ran with it.

"I'm really happy North Melbourne gave me a chance when not many other clubs really considered me," Gibson said.

"To have another few years and be a bit more settled now is really good.

"You look at what I was doing five years ago and how much things have changed now – it's a big change and one I've welcomed."

North Melbourne's Sam Gibson made his AFL debut at the age of 26 in North Melbourne's round 12 victory over Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium and has played every game since.

"I think he's been outstanding," North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said.

"I've always had a lot of time for 'Gibbo'. I've got a lot of respect for the way he goes about things and the way his football journey's been a long and arduous one.

"But he's just an absolute credit to himself. We're rapt to have him at the club. He's a terrific role model. He's an outstanding professional and he's just a quality person.

After finally earning a taste of senior football on Saturday night, North Melbourne rookie Sam Gibson has no intention of letting go.

"That's the plan (to play more senior footy). I've waited this long for it so I don't plan on jumping out anytime soon." Gibson said after his debut against Gold Coast.

"[Coach Brad Scott] came to me during the week and said there was an opportunity to promote a rookie and it was going to be me. Now I just have to play my role every week".

Sam Gibson makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne with 18 disposals (13 kicks and 5 handballs), 5 marks and a tackle in a 7-point win over Gold Coast.

North rookie Sam Gibson will debut on Saturday night after being elevated to the club's senior list at the age of 26.

"He's a really top quality individual, a great character and someone we think can really add to our side. He's an elite endurance athlete and we need some more run and spread through the midfield and we think he can give that to us," North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said.

"It's been a long time coming for Sam but it's a credit to his dedication and persistence."

North Melbourne rookie Sam Gibson has had a perfect start to the New Year, taking out the club's first 2km time trial of 2012.

"He (Bastinac) went out pretty quick and it can be hard to find your place with 30 other guys running," Gibson said.

"You can get caught behind a few blokes, but I just stuck to my pace. I kept running as fast as I could and thankfully I got 'Basti' in the end."