Blues “hold the upper hand” in Gibbs deal: McClure

SEN news breaker Sam McClure believes Carlton has the bargaining power in the looming trade negotiations surrounding Bryce Gibbs.

It is anticipated Gibbs will once again request a move home to the Adelaide Crows, after he failed to get to the club in last year’s trade period. It has been reported by multiple media outlets that the Blues are looking at Brisbane’s Tom Rockliff, and this has a link to the Gibbs situation, according to McClure.

“The Blues’ interest in Rockliff cones as the club waits by the phone daily to see when Bryce Gibbs’ manager will call, asking again for a trade to the Crows,” he told SEN Breakfast.

“The Blues hold the upper hand here. Not only is Gibbs contracted for two more seasons, but they also know that the Crows are asking for, and likely to get, two first round picks from Melbourne in exchange for Jake Lever. That is what the asking price is.

“Tom Rockliff’s manager is Tom Petroro, as Greg Denham writes in The Australian today, and he has taken over senior negotiations for Bryce Gibbs in an attempt to get home to Adelaide.”

At the end of last season, Gibbs was seeking a move to the Crows, but they wouldn’t give up the extra draft pick the Blues demanded in the deal.

Gibbs played 22 games this season, averaging 26.8 disposals, 381.2 metres gained, 10.1 contested possessions, 5.9 tackles, 5.6 score involvements and 5.0 clearances per game.

Rockliff amassed 24.0 disposals, 10.2 contested possessions, 6.4 clearances and 5.9 tackles per game this season.