“I DON’T see how you can’t improve.”

Michael Gibbons is loving life in the AFL system, and he believes there’s a lot of growth to come in his game.

Gibbons achieved a new frontier late last week when he ran out in the Navy Blue against Essendon.

After kicking three goals in the JLT Community Series opener, Gibbons said the game represented another landmark as he sets his sights on finally achieving his AFL dream.

Speaking to 1116 SEN, Gibbons’ sights remain on a potential blockbuster debut against Richmond in Round 1.

“I came in late to training and my first goal was to impress and to get on the list,” Gibbons said.

“Once I got the news that I was on the list, I set the goal of playing JLT and I got to play JLT.

“Hopefully I’ll play on Monday again against Collingwood. From there, hopefully I’ve done enough in the couple of games to get a gig in Round 1 which would be amazing.”

After outlining his intentions when he was officially signed a month ago, Gibbons reiterated his desire to have an impact at the elite level. However, he knew his work would be cut out for him.

After all, as he put it, “I’m no different to any other draftee”.

“I think it’s human nature… Round 1 is a marquee game of the year, it kicks off the season and there could be 90,000 there,” he said.

Having arrived at Ikon Park late last year, Gibbons got his first taste of the action and will look to keep a good thing going when the Blues head to Morwell on Monday.

With 90 games of VFL football under his belt with awards aplenty, Gibbons believed he is now a better player than when he walked in the door — and he’s hoping to show the AFL world what he’s capable of.

Gibbons said he’d been blown away by the professionalism of the AFL environment.

“The VFL is a professional standard but now being around footballers 24/7, living and breathing it, the amount of meetings you’re going to, studying it, the world-class coaches you’ve got access to… You’re around the superstars of the game.

“If you’re in the system, I don’t see how you can’t improve. I’ve loved it so far.”