Serena Gibbs

Serena Gibbs
Serena Gibbs
Personal information
Date of birth	3 June 2000 (age 24)
Original team(s)	Eastern Ranges (NAB League Girls)
Draft	No. 44, 2019 AFLW draft
Debut	Round 5, 2021, Carlton vs. North Melbourne, at University of Tasmania Stadium
Height	178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Key forward/ruck
Club information
Current club	Fremantle
Playing career1
Years	Club
2020–S7(2022)	Carlton
2023–2024	Fremantle
Total
	1 Playing statistics correct to the end of the 2023 season.
	Source: AustralianFootball.com

Serena Gibbs (born 3 June 2000) is an Australian rules footballer, who played for Fremantle in the AFL Women's (AFLW).

Junior career

As a junior, Gibbs initially played netball in the Victorian state league.^[1] She switched to football in 2019 on the recommendation of the mother of Gibbs' friend Emerson Woods. (Gibbs and Woods would later reunite as teammates at Carlton).^[2] Gibbs began playing for the Eastern Ranges in the NAB League Girls. Although she lacked the football knowledge of more experienced players, she nevertheless had a successful season, leading the club's goalkicking with 11 goals and ranking among the top three players in the club's best and fairest.^[1]

Gibbs also played six matches for Hawthorn in the VFL Women's (VFLW). Her performance in a game against Melbourne University, in which she kicked two goals and took four marks against a defence featuring AFLW players, was particularly noted for establishing her footballing potential to clubs' scouts.^[1]^[2]

AFLW career

Gibbs was selected by Carlton with pick 44 in the 2019 AFLW draft, their fourth selection.^[1] In 2020, she focused on developing her football skills and gym work, but ultimately would not play any AFLW matches in her first year.^[3] In the lead-up to the 2021 season, Gibbs played as Carlton's full-forward in a practice match against St Kilda, and kicked two goals in a strong display.^[4] Carlton's co-captain Kerryn Harrington predicted Gibbs would "get her opportunity" in 2021;^[5] she went on to make her AFLW debut in round 5 against North Melbourne.^[6] It was revealed Gibbs signed a one-year contract extension with Carlton on 10 June 2021.^[7]