The tough trade chat that helped get Bryce Gibbs to Adelaide

BRYCE Gibbs says it was hard to tell Blues’ coach Brendon Bolton he wanted to be traded home — for the second time — but believes their close relationship helped his cause.

Bryce Gibbs has departed the Blues for Adelaide.

BRYCE Gibbs says it was tough to tell Blues’ coach Brendon Bolton he wanted to be traded home — for the second time — but believes their close relationship helped his cause.

On an emotional day for the star midfielder, Gibbs found his way to Adelaide on the last day of the trade period in a complicated deal that netted the Blues picks No. 10, 16 (on-traded to the Western Bulldogs) and the Crows’ 2018 second-round pick.

Gibbs had requested a trade to Adelaide at the end of last season, but the two sides could not come to an agreement and he spent 2017 at the Blues.

REVIEW: TRADE AND LIST MANAGEMENT Q&A WITH GARY BUCKENARA

SUMMER BREAK: WHAT AFL STARS GET UP TO IN THE OFFSEASON

Bryce Gibbs has been traded to the Adelaide Crows. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

He says it was tough to tell Bolton for the second time he wanted to leave.

“As the year got to an end and then the trade period all started again, I started to think about it (going home) a bit more,” Gibbs said on SEN Breakfast this morning.

“I wasn’t actually sure if it was still a possible, if Adelaide were actually still interested in getting me across.

“Bolts came round to my house and we had a good chat a couple of days out from the deadline.

“Those conversations are pretty hard.

“But the relationship I’ve built with Bolts over the last two years — we certainly looked each other in the eye over that time and said to each other our feelings and thoughts and I think that’s why we’ve had such a great relationship.

“As tough as it was to tell him, for the second time, I would like to go home if it’s possible, he took that on board and shared his thoughts and feelings about it.”

Gibbs said Bolton did not try and talk him out of leaving the club.

“He’s got this young list at the moment — for one of his senior players to leave, he wanted to have as much return as possible to help fill that gap and I completely understand and respect that.”

Bryce Gibbs says coach Brendon Bolton did not try to talk him out of leaving the club. Picture: Getty Images

Bryce Gibbs says Carlton has been a second home for the past 11 years. Picture: AAP

Gibbs said it had been an emotional 24 hours and it had been sad to say goodbye to Carlton fans and teammates.

“I’ve got two homes now — 11 years of your life invested in a footy club — they certainly become your family,” he said.

“Talking about the club and my close friendships I’ve made over that period, I did start to get a bit emotional and I’m certainly going to miss the joint.”

He said, after 231 games at Carlton, he was excited to start a new journey in Adelaide.

“They have had a really good year or two and I still think I’ve got a lot to offer in my footy career and if I can help in any way shape or form, this footy club now to get that ultimate success, I’m cert looking forward to that challenge,” he said.

“By all means, it’s not going to be easy and by all means, by me coming to this footy club am I going to be the difference or anything like that.

“I’ve got to earn the respect of the playing group and I’m going to be playing a role within the team and try and fit in to this team as best I can.

“There’s certainly no guarantees in this game anymore, the competition’s that even.”