I'll just add something else, not sure if Gibson was the first to come up with this tactic, but he taught halfbacks and five eighth's to kick it to the seaguls, which might seem strange at first but makes perfect sense. Seagulls are normally in an area where there are no humans, so thats why the great playmakers have done well under Gibson.
And also cricketers used that tactic, they would hit the ball it to the seagulls.
I think it may have be a joint effort between John "Bomber" Peard and Jack Gibson, in his coaching days at Easts.
Jack Gibson was a man of few words, but every word was useful and powerful. The only coach to come remotely close to him nowadays is Wayne Bennett.
But Jack was and will always be the greatest coach the game has seen. He managed to have success in the game in times when the game changed rapidly and massively, which is a true testament to how good he really was. Even as a player he was unlucky not to go on to higher rep levels, such was the quality of players in the game at the time.
A true icon, he coached men to be men first, players second. The respect which is shown his way is of the highest order and rightfully so.
Jack Gibson Playing Career
Easts (1953-61) 132 games - 26 tries, 78 points
Newtown (1962) 11 games - 4 tries, 12 points
Wests (1963-64) 19 games - 1 try, 3 points
NSW (1954) 1 game - 0 points
TOTAL (1953-64) 163 games - 31 tries, 93 points.
He was Easts captain in their 1960 Grand Final loss to St.George.
He then moved to Wests and played in the infamous 1963 Grand Final loss to St.George.
He then moved to coaching in 1967 with Easts. In 1966 Easts lost all games, In 1967-68 they managed to make the semi finals both years.
In 1970 He coached St.George. They lost the grand final in 1971.
He then moved to Newtown in 1973 and helped not just their First grade team, but all three grades. That Year Newtown won their first and only Club Championship title.
He moved back to Easts in 1974-75, where Easts won consecutive Grand Finals.
He went to Souths in 1978-79, and although didn't have any premiership glory, he had a very young side lacking in talent and ensured they remained more competitive than people gave them credit for. Souths surge in the 80's was mainly due to his work in 1978-79.
He then moved to Parramatta and won three consectuive grand finals from 1981-83.
He coached at Cronulla in the mid 1980's before again returning to Easts in 1990 this time overseeing all club operations up until 1993 when he retired.
He studied Gridiron tactics and training methods and implemented them into Rugby League quite successfully.
He coached NSW in 1989-90.
Vale Jack Gibson.
Absolute Legend
