Bryce Gibbs’ future remains unknown as Carlton midfielder hits career-best form

COACH Brendon Bolton and Brendan Fevola lavished praise on Bryce Gibbs after he dominated in Saturday night’s win over Gold Coast. But will the midfielder stay a Blue?

Bryce Gibbs is the Blues’ “best player” by a long way, according to Brendan Fevola. Picture: AAP

CARLTON must keep Bryce Gibbs if it’s to continue its upward trajectory, according to former star Brendan Fevola.

The morning after Gibbs was best afield in his side’s thrilling win over Gold Coast, the star midfielder’s future was a hot topic.

Gibbs requested a trade to Adelaide at the end of 2016 but after the two clubs couldn’t come to an agreement, vowed to “move on” and concentrate on his footy with the Blues.

It’s unknown if the under-contract Gibbs and the Crows will again request a trade at the end of this season, but Fevola says his old club simply can’t let that happen.

“Bryce Gibbs is my favourite player at Carlton and the best player Carlton has got,” Fevola said on Channel 7’s GameDay.

Bryce Gibbs celebrates a goal against the Suns. Picture: Jason O'Brien/AFL Media

“They need to keep him for a long time. He is a superstar.

“He is an Adelaide boy but he is entrenched in Melbourne now. Even when he came to the club when I was there at an early age I knew he would be the pick of the bunch. He is the best player at the club by a long way.”

The 28-year-old midfielder is arguably in career-best form, on Saturday night gathering 43 disposals, laying 10 tackles and booting two goals as his team blanketed the Gary Ablett-led Suns.

After the match Blues coach Brendon Bolton said he’d be “remiss” to overlook Gibbs’ efforts.

“It was huge,” Bolton said.

“It was a super effort. He should feel proud about it.”

Gibbs himself has remained focused on the future following last year’s failed bid to return to his home state.

“Once the decision came through that a trade couldn’t be facilitated I said to myself ‘that’s it, I’m not going to think about it, I’ve got to move on’,” Gibbs said in April.

“That’s what I’ve done. I haven’t put any thought into the end of the year or next year or the year after that.

“I’ve still got a couple of years to go on my contract at Carlton and that’s purely my focus.

“There is going to be a lot of speculation probably for the rest of my career and that’s just something you learn to put up with and deal with.

“I’ve just got to let my footy do the talking and keep that chatter as quiet as possible.”