Gibbs deal seems to be edging closer as Blues hunt midfielders

CARLTON may have given its first signal of conceding midfielder Bryce Gibbs to Adelaide by being linked to GWS midfielder Rhys Palmer — and, more sensationally, to Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe.

Bryce Gibbs celebrates a win with Blues fans. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

CARLTON may have given its first signal of finally conceding contracted midfielder Bryce Gibbs to Adelaide by being linked to GWS midfielder Rhys Palmer — and, more sensationally, to Fremantle’s Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe.

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The protracted Gibbs trade — one of three major deals that has held up more movement in the 11-day AFL trade period — on Monday night remained a battle of principles and pride for both Adelaide and Carlton ... and a challenge for Gibbs’ management team to break the impasse.

But the reports of the Blues having a focus on trading for midfielders — in particular Palmer, the 2008 Rising Star champion who started his AFL journey as a first-round draftee at Fremantle — suggest Carlton is moving away from its oft-stated position of holding Gibbs at Princes Park to his five-year contract, which has three seasons to run.

Rhys Palmer has been linked to Carlton. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The question remainsb what price Adelaide will have to pay for the 209-game Gibbs before the 1.30pm Thursday deadline to the trade market?

So far, Carlton has rejected as the “sweetener” players such as 22-year-old midfielder Rory Atkins and uncontracted midfielder Jarryd Lyons.

Adelaide and Carlton are staring down each other — from extreme positions — as the trade deadline looms.

The Crows maintain first-round draft pick No. 13 is “fair value” for 27-year-old Gibbs — and have even pointed to Hawthorn releasing 2008 premiership captain Sam Mitchell from his contract for late-order draft picks from West Coast.

And Adelaide notes it did not “pick off” Gibbs to have him break his long-term contract at Princes Park. Rather, the Crows maintain it was Gibbs who sought out Adelaide to engineer a “go home” trade while he dealt with personal reasons to be back in SA.

But Carlton insists “fair value” is irrelevant with a player who has completed only two of five years on his contract. And the Blues scoff at the Mitchell comparison, noting Hawthorn wanted its veteran midfielder to move to create salary cap room, while Carlton wants to keep Gibbs.

Carlton’s preference for two of Adelaide’s promising young players — second-year forward Mitch McGovern or speedy forward-midfielder Charlie Cameron — is a call Adelaide finds too rich to entertain.

The Gibbs deal is among three protracted top-shelf trades that have held up movement in the market — along with the release of Gold Coast midfield pair Dion Prestia and Jaeger O’Meara to Richmond and Hawthorn respectively.

Adelaide also has uncontracted midfielder Jarryd Lyons in a race to find a new home rather than return to West Lakes to again argue over a contract he has repeatedly rejected.

The 24-year-old Victorian last night was being linked to Gold Coast. His management has claimed there are six AFL clubs that have expressed interest in the 2010 draftee (No. 61, fourth round).

Lyons’ trade would help Adelaide close a void at next month’s AFL national draft in Sydney.

If the Crows hand over their first-round pick (No. 13) to the Blues for Gibbs, recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie will be waiting until call No. 53 (third round) for his first chance to claim a draftee. Adelaide last year gave up its second-round draft pick to Greater Western Sydney to recruit halfback Curtly Hampton, who did not play this season while being jinxed by injury.

Adelaide also has utility Ricky Henderson in the trade market after he surprisingly did not find a new home as an unrestricted free agent. The free agency market closed on Sunday.

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Originally published as Gibbs deal seems to be edging closer as Blues hunt midfielders