Famous Jack Gibson Quotes
Gibson is a massive supporter of modern technology being used in top-grade Rugby League to clear up any decisions that the match referee may not be able to adjudicate on definitively.
“They'd boo Santa Claus, this mob.”
On the Lang Park crowd during a State of Origin series.
On how he displayed the ability to deliver a one-liner or quote that always perfectly summed up a situation.
Jack Gibson Quotes
“That guy is so quick, he can switch off the light and get into bed before the room is dark.”
Gibson making an assessment on fast winger Andrew Ettingshausen during his summary of a match on television.
“In football, if you are standing still, you're going backwards fast.”
Gibson shows his passion for constant innovation in his coaching.
“Waiting for Cronulla to win a premiership is like leaving the porch lamp on for Harold Holt.”
Gibson on Cronulla Sharks' long premiership drought.
“Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead!”
Gibson quotes the title of the song from The Wizard of Oz at the start of his post-game speech to fans after his Parramatta Eels side win the club their first-ever Australian Rugby League premiership title in 1981 after thirty four years in the competition. Gibson then promptly ended the speech and went back to his celebrating players.
“I think he must have an egg-timer - every four minutes, he blows the whistle.”
On Queensland referee Barry Gomersall.
“There is nothing in the contract that says a football coach has to be sane or a good loser.”
Jack on the the science of coaching.
“They all seem to limp a little extra when they are replaced.”
After a player was replaced during the 1984 Origin series.
“He is about as big as Clive Churchill was when he played and he owns an ugly dog.”
When asked about the weaknesses of his former Parramatta charge Paul Taylor.
“Talent is secondary to whether players are confident.”
Gibson often put trust above pure playing ability when selecting teams.
Gibson told a young Peter Sterling to kick the ball into open spaces rather than into the opposition's hands at the end of his team's set of six tackles in possession; seagulls often congregate on empty spaces on sports fields in Australia.
When Mal Meninga had missed a succession of penalty goal attempts during the second Ashes Test in 1984 and another chance hit the upright.
