The 2022 winter of football has been life-changing for Millicent young gun Kobe Gibson.

It started with him getting a maiden Glenelg guernsey and debut A Grade appearance for the Saints.

But the highlight came last month when national honours arrived at his doorstep.

Gibson and South Gambier’s Jacob Salmon earnt call ups to the South Australian Under 15’s team for the 2022 School Sport SA Australian Football Championships.

The emerging Saint’s divine skills shone brightly in the undefeated team as he received selection in the coveted All Australian team consisting of 25 of the best players from across the country.

Following the achievement, Gibson was successful in receiving financial assistance of $200 from Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll as part of the Council’s Youth Development Foundation to assist with costs associated with attending the big events.

The Millicent player spoke to The SE Voice whilst travelling to another Glenelg SANFL Under 16’s game and said being one of just six South Australians to receive All Australian selection instantly flashed up to the top of his list of sporting achievements.

“It is so good it does not really feel real,” he said.

“It is a good achievement and something that I will look back on for the rest of my life I guess.

“It is definitely up there and something that myself, my family and everyone around me are proud of.”

The competition played at Lavington, New South Wales itself featured some of the country’s best young talents including many potential future AFL stars.

Despite also representing the state in the Under 12’s championships, Gibson said the Under 15’s were on another level.

“I played in the Under 12’s carnival, but the Under 15’s was a huge step up,” he said.

“It was just a lot more structured and physical football.”

Gibson had an important role in the South Australian team playing as a forward, who rolled into the stoppages, trying to protect the inside of the ground.

Making the Saint specialise in the position proved to be a master stroke from the coaching staff as he and the Croweaters tore up the competition.

South Australia won every single game with Gibson playing a leading role alongside fellow Tenison Woods College student Jacob Salmon.

With the likes of Victoria mainly taking home the trophy, it was a breakthrough success for the Croweaters and Gibson said this was down to the team’s connection on and off the field.

“They said it was the first time we beat Victoria in ages, so that was crazy,” he said.

“The coaches setup the team and selected the players for specific reasons so they made the team and helped us across the entire week.

“We all bonded together and developed great relationships which is why I think we played such good football together.”

The win was months in the making after the South Australian coaches went through a rigorous selection process which proved to find the potion to success.

Gibson went through numerous trials and admitted he only had his sights set on making it through the first cut, let alone being named in the starting 18.

“You had to nominate yourself and the first try out was back in May,” he said.

“I went there hoping to get through to the first cut and seeing so many kids there made me both nervous and excited at the same time.

“I think after three or four try outs from 250 kids they cut it down to a 30-man squad.

“We trained as a squad for a couple of weeks before they picked the final 25-player team.

“As I got through I gained a lot of confidence and belief in myself to make the team.”

Before wearing the state colours with pride, Gibson was showing his stripes wearing the Glenelg Tigers’ sash in the Under 16’s SANFL competition.

Across six SANFL games he has kicked four goals and averaged 14 disposals per outing and hopes to make an impact in finals after learning a lot from the coaching staff.

“I am only a bottom age player, so it is a really good experience,” Gibson said.

“All the boys up there make you feel welcome and part of the team.

“The coaches made me feel comfortable playing football and have given me plenty of tips.”

The 15-year-old has also taken giant strides wearing the Millicent jumper in the Western Border Football League across the Under 16, 18 and A Grade sides.

Having excelled in the junior grades, Gibson was rewarded with an A Grade debut in round 4 against North Gambier which was a big achievement considering the Saints are last year’s premiers and remain one of the top contenders.

The youngster admitted playing against senior players almost double his size was pretty daunting at first.

However, he soon rose to the standard and overcame the butterflies kicking two goals on debut and playing another four games around his Glenelg commitments.

“It (A Grade debut) was a really surreal experience,” Gibson said.

“I was not sure what to expect and had a lot of butterflies in my stomach.

“But I have gained more confidence as a I played more games throughout the year.”

Gibson is a big Collingwood fan and has modelled his game off favourtie player Scott Pendlebury, trying to emulate his work rate and ability to read the play.

“I have developed a lot not just as a footballer but as a person,” he said.

“Playing against senior men, city boys and the whole of Australia has been crazy.

“My football has definitely developed and I cannot wait for next year already.”