Games – 13 (21)
Disposals per game: 21.7 - 5th (17.1 – 13th)
Contested possessions per game: 7 - 9th (6 - 15th)
Uncontested possessions per game: 14.8 – 1st (11.3 – 9th)
Handball efficiency: 87.9% - 5th (78.5% - 18th)
Kicking efficiency: 72.3% - 9th (69% - 17th)
Marks per game: 8.2 – 2nd (5.2 – 8th)
Marks from opposition kicks per game: 2.5 - 1st (1.6 – 15th)
Tackles per game: 2.5 – 17th (2.2 – 22nd)
Spoils per game: 2.1 – 7th (1.6 – 10th)
Goals conceded per game to direct opponent: 0.5 – 2nd
*rankings are at Freo and players must have played at least four games to qualify.
Highlight – After missing the first four games of the season, Ibbotson returned in round 5 and made an instant impact, collecting 24 possessions and 11 marks to play a crucial part in a thrilling win. The ball fittingly was in his possessions at the final siren, when he beat a Richmond player in a desperate race to the ball deep inside the Tigers’ attacking 50. With Freo only a point up, the game could have been lost or drawn if not for his presence. Ibbotson kept this sort of form going for most of the season until injury ended his year.
Summary – This was the most comfortable Garrick Ibbotson has looked on an AFL field since becoming a Fremantle Docker. He was always a brilliant athlete, but in 2013 ‘Ibbo’ put it all together. He played on Freo’s half-back line, leading the team for intercept marks per game because of his loose-man role. ?
Finals
Did not play – an Achilles injury ended his year after round 18.
Outlook: 2014 is all about consolidation and availability for Ibbotson. He must continue to improve on the great form he displayed in his 13 games this season, but he must also stay out on the park to ensure he doesn’t miss out at the business end of the year again.
