Ratten said today Gibbs had been one of the standout performers at Carlton so far this pre-season and he expected him to step up in the midfield next year.

Gibbs, 22, has been recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained in the Blues' elimination final win over Essendon, but it has not hindered his summer.

"His pre-season has been outstanding; he has done all the work," Ratten said.

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Rebecca Williams | Herald Sun
December 3rd, 2011



CARLTON draftee Sam Rowe has thanked former Norwood teammate and fellow mature-age recruit Nick Duigan for helping pave the way for his second chance in the AFL.

Rowe, 24, said his selection in last week's national draft was largely due to Duigan's success in his first year at the Blues.

Duigan, who played 22 games in his debut season, was drafted as a 26-year-old in 2010 after impressing with Norwood, where Rowe has spent the past four years.

Rowe said he owed Duigan for giving the Blues the confidence to take a punt on him.

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Murphy polled 678 votes to salute comfortably ahead of Judd (469) and Bryce Gibbs (448), capping a brilliant season, in front of more than 1500 guests at Crown Palladium.

The blossoming midfielder's win put an end to Judd's extraordinary run, with the former Eagle winning the best and fairest in each of his first three seasons with the Blues.

Murphy's award comes after he was judged the AFL Coaches Association champion - also pipping Judd - and was named in the All-Australian side for the first time.

He was also judged Carlton's best finals player.

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