Carlton would be better placed for the future by trading Bryce Gibbs now, writes Jon Ralph
IN THE space of the next 24 hours Carlton has a chance to trade Bryce Gibbs and set itself up for a march towards that historic 17th flag, writes Jon Ralph.
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IF BRYCE Gibbs wins a premiership with Carlton, it will be as a 33-year-old half back flanker holding back time.
In the space of the next 24 hours they have a chance to trade him and march towards that historic 17th flag.
Gibbs is a star and might have 120 games left in him given his remarkable durability at only 28.
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But if the Blues can get multiple picks for him - and secure a third consecutive draft of quality talent - then maybe it’s time to just bite the bullet.
Especially if Adelaide is prepared to pay overs to get its man.
As we speak Carlton and Adelaide are in talks over what it might take to secure him, possibly with GWS midfielder Matthew Kennedy thrown into a trade.
Gibbs is an extremely good player but he is only one player.
If the Blues can keep their No.3 selection, add Adelaide’s pick 10 and maybe next year’s second-rounder and also secure Geelong’s Darcy Lang, it is clearly a net win.
Even if they have to give something back to get Kennedy over the line.
What is Bryce Gibbs worth? @RalphyHeraldSun and @heraldsunmick disagree pic.twitter.com/5u8ANebHpC
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) October 18, 2017
Even the best list builders didn’t amass premiership-worthy talent with just one trade.
Carlton’s 2014 trade and draft period was a disaster - Blaine Boekhorst, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, Clem Smith, Jayden Foster, Kristian Jaksch (trade), Mark Whiley.
The one exception was some kid called Liam Jones who last time we looked resembled footy’s version of Superman.
Then they got going with two excellent drafts.
In 2015 they added Jacob Weitering, Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow, Jack Silvagni, David Cuningham, Matthew Wright, Lachie Plowman and Jed Lamb through the trade and draft period.
Last year they picked up Sam Petrevski-Seton, Zac Fisher, Harrison Macreadie, Cam Poulson, Tom Williamson, Pat Kerr, Caleb Marchbank, and Jarrod Pickett.
But even the most optimistic Carlton fan would realise they need to stockpile even more talent to one day get into the premiership window.
Taking pick 3 to the draft and giving up a second-rounder for Kennedy would mean they add some talent to their list.
Is it enough?
If the Blues can secure Lang, Kennedy, take a midfielder with pick three who is ready-made, they might just have enough midfield cover to absorb the loss of Gibbs.
Especially if they are turning him into multiple players who can play for 12 years at the club.
The best case scenario would be taking to the draft their pick No.3 and Adelaide’s pick No.10 and 16, a superb hand even in a draft a little thin on talent.
It seems clear Brendon Bolton wants to keep Gibbs and if he had his druthers might have been more aggressive last year at the trade table to bolster the midfield.
So get him off the rolling contract and give him a three-year extension, enough security to absorb what might be another year of growth in 2018.
Then Carlton fans know that while Gibbs has gone, they are building for premiership glory, not a quick bounce that gets them 10 wins next year.
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