IF YOU tallied up every time Michael Gibbons has been asked about his football journey in the last 12 months, you’d probably have 10 for each of the 21 AFL games he’s played.

However, as Carlton embraces another pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast, it’s hard not to look back on the pathway of the 24-year-old.

After all, it was this time and at this place one year ago when Gibbons was informed that he - alongside Matthew Cottrell - would be a Blue in 2019.

Now, 12 months on, Gibbons and Cottrell have returned to the very place where their dreams became reality.

Speaking to Carlton Media upon arriving at the camp, Gibbons said he immediately looked back on that day in February last year where years of hard work finally paid off.

“It was amazing news this time last year. Of course, I reflect now that I’m back here: it’s been a whirlwind 12 months,” Gibbons said.

“I have loved every minute of it and every bump along the way has been a learning curve.

“I’m definitely proud. The best thing about being here is the lads are all very close mates and I’ve bonded with them. I’ve got mates here for life and I can’t wait to spend more years with them.”

Gibbons’ story is one familiar with the football world: a two-time J.J. Liston Trophy winner, Gibbons was the clear standout as the best player in the state league competition.

While the landscapes of Williamstown and Mooloolaba aren’t quite the same (“the beaches are quite similar,” Gibbons reckons), both bear plenty of significance for him.

His journey may have been a frustrating one, but it’s one which he is ever so thankful for.

“It’s funny how people always say they wouldn’t change their journey: I definitely wouldn’t. Sure, it probably took me a little bit longer than I wanted to get to the AFL,” he said.

“Some of my best mates are from Williamstown and I was lucky enough to win a flag there. I wouldn’t change that five years for the world.”

The occasion for Gibbons is much different this time around, as he has now got 21 games under his belt compared to 12 months ago when he was still fighting for a spot on the list.

However, he said that with that experience now comes greater responsibility — and he’s not shying away from it.

“I’ve put a bit more pressure on myself: I came in last year and there weren’t a lot of expectations on me,” he said.

“I wanted to play one game, then I wanted to play 10 games… I ended up playing 21 and missing the last one because of injury.

“It might be a bit of a cliche but I just want to get the first game out of the way once again. I want to get selected for Round 1: I’m not putting any limitations on it.”

Having had that experience at the elite level in 2019, Gibbons is now keen to see the man who joined him 12 months ago as the latest player to debut in the Navy Blue.

Gibbons said it was hard not to have a soft spot for Cottrell, given how closely linked their journeys were last year.

“We were both late call-ups, we both got announced on the same day and we both didn’t know what we were doing for two months while we were training [without a list spot],” he said.

‘Cotts’ is actually flying: he’s probably been one of the most impressive ones on the track.

“Everyone knows how well he can run, but the way he’s been taking it on in match simulation this year… he’s been turning a few heads.”

Stay tuned to Carlton Media tomorrow for the interview with Matthew Cottrell.