Gibbons has spent the past five years at VFL club Williamstown where he has built up an impressive resume including two Liston Trophy wins before being able to finally convince the Blues to include him as cover for the injured Sam Docherty and Thomas Bugg, who quit to pursue business interests last week.

Gibbons and Matthew Cottrell were signed as rookies following the Blues camp on the Sunshine Coast this week.

The Blues list manager Stephen Silvagni said the club was excited to officially welcome both players to the club.

“Michael and Matthew are talented footballers, but even more importantly they are quality people who we think will really add to our group on and off the field,” Silvagni said.

“Gibbo in particular has done everything he possibly can over the last five years to give himself an opportunity and now he has one.

“We believe he is ready to add some energy for us up forward and through the middle of the ground.”

Gibbons also won the Norm Goss Medal for best player on the ground in Williamstown’s 2015 premiership win.

Originally from Coolamon, Gibbons also played for the Murray Bushrangers and played his last match for Lavington in the heart-breaking one-point defeat to Albury in the 2013 Ovens and Murray league preliminary final.