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AFL trade rumours: Is Bryce Gibbs going home?

Expert
29th September, 2016
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Bryce Gibbs divides the public, but can we all agree he's a bloody good footy player? (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Expert
29th September, 2016
40
8352 Reads

There’s been a flurry of rumour in the past day or two since it was reported by ESPN that Bryce Gibbs in potentially looking for a move back home to South Australia to join the Adelaide Crows.

I won’t lie, I have my doubts about this one. It’s one of those stories that seems to crop up pretty much every off-season, much like that all-time classic “will Richmond trade one of their big names” article you’ve read a thousand times. It never really comes to fruition.

That said, on the surface it certainly makes a lot of sense. Gibbs is a quality midfielder who has pushed A-grade status at times, and that’s the sort of player Adelaide could certainly make good use of.

On the Carlton side of it, while they’d be anxious to let go one of their best players, it does make a certain amount of sense economically to sell 27-year-old Gibbs and use the return to invest further in young talent.

Exactly what kind of return they’d get is the big question. The Crows will have pick 13 at the draft this year but the Blues would probably want something in the top ten at a minimum.

Perhaps the Crows could include uncontracted Jarryd Lyons in the deal, and that would get things over the line – while Lyons hasn’t officially declared that he wants to depart, it’s looking more and more likely the longer he remains unsigned.

It would be a logical enough trade that could benefit both parties – Adelaide in the short term, and Carlton in the long term. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is merely a false alarm, and nothing ultimately comes of the speculation.

Bryce Gibbs Carlton Blues AFL 2016

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Speaking of speculation, Damian Barrett stated on the Footy Show on Thursday night that he believes North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey is a chance to join Collingwood next season, as he weighs up his options after being told he won’t be offered a new contract at Arden St.

The Magpies are also expected to sign Daniel Wells from North Melbourne in a deal reportedly worth as much as $600,000 a year for three years – though that figure seems to be growing a little each time it gets mentioned.

While North have publicly stated a desire to keep Wells, in reality they don’t seem to be trying very hard to do it, and they reportedly have internal expectations that they could receive an end-of-first-round compensation pick if he departs.

For a club that say they are looking to perform an ‘aggressive reset’ that would be a great result, though my gut feel is that a second round pick is more likely.

It’s hard to tell what Collingwood are really up to though – if you’ll pardon the pun, they seem to have their fingers in a lot of pies at the moment.

Chris Mayne is reportedly likely to join them but they’ve also expressed interest in players like Lin Jong, Nick Dal Santo, and basically anyone, anywhere, who might be interested in kicking a footy. Jarryd Hayne, this is your opportunity.

It’ll be interesting to see what moves they make in the upcoming free agency and trade period as a result of that. Loading up with a little experienced talent might not be a bad idea – especially given Nathan Buckley reckons it’s finals or the sack for him next year – but bringing in too much could stifle the development of the youth they’ve drafted over the last few years. Mature recruits are tricky to get right and at the moment it’s debatable whether or not they’re targetting the right players.

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A last bit on North Melbourne’s departees – Drew Petrie looks to be pretty keen to pursue a potential opportunity at West Coast next year, but it will likely come down to whether or not the Eagles can find room on the list for him.

Drew Petrie Brent Boomer Harvey North Melbourne Kangaroos AFL Finals 2016

There continues to be talk about Brett Deledio and Geelong though I’m still a bit sceptical that anything could come of it. The latest mooted scenario is that Geelong could send Steven Motlop to the Tigers in exchange for Deledio – a swap that would see the Cats rid themselves a problematic player, and Richmond gain some young talent.

Not convinced there’s anything in it myself, but it would be fascinating to see how it plays out if so.

The Cats certainly do seem to be in the market for another mature, classy midfielder – in addition to Deledio they’ve also been linked to Daniel Wells and, most recently, Pearce Hanley.

With rumours that Hanley has grown a bit sick of all that losing they’re doing up at Brisbane, Geelong would potentially be a great destination for him. How the Cats afford him though is a tricky question – they don’t have a first round pick this year.

Hanley’s fellow Lion Tom Rockliff also continues to be mentioned as possible trade bait despite currently holding the club captaincy. Adelaide and St Kilda have been raised as potential destinations, but nothing appears certain here just yet and there’s every chance he stays at Brisbane.

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Hamish Hartlett is still looking at his options after being told by Port Adelaide that they’ll look to trade him in the off-season, with St Kilda thrown up as a potential destination. St Kilda coach Alan Richardson has previously worked with Hartlett when at Port Adelaide.

Hartlett’s teammate Matthew Lobbe is reportedly considering other opportunities as well, seeking to find a club where he can establish himself as the top ruckman. The Western Bulldogs made a play for him last year but their interest may have cooled in the time since.

Hamish Hartlett AFL Port Adelaide Power 2016

James Stewart is reportedly the most recent Giant to request a trade home with Carlton looking the likely destination as the Giants seek to secure the Blues’ No.5 draft pick.

Caleb Marchbank has already signalled his desire to be traded to Carlton and the Blues are interested in Stewart, though there are a few other clubs said to be interested as well.

That said the Blues traded a top ten pick to GWS for a similar ‘package deal’ two years ago and have so far gotten very little out of it. I suspect they’d be pretty wary of going in for the same kind of trade again.

Shane Kersten and Nathan Vardy are two tall Cats unlikely to be with Geelong in 2017 with Kersten linked to Fremantle in his home state of Western Australia, and Vardy a chance to be picked up by Port Adelaide or GWS.

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Jack Grimes has been told he won’t get a new contract at Melbourne and will no doubt be on the lookout for another club, although he hasn’t been linked to any specific destinations yet you’d think someone will take a punt.

Cam Ellis-Yolmen is looking likely to move on from Adelaide in search of more opportunities, but it’s not really clear how much interest there’ll be in him from other clubs.

Koby Stevens and Will Minson are both likely to depart the Western Bulldogs at season’s end with Stevens likely to join Essendon and Minson reportedly drawing interest from a number of clubs looking for ruck depth, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Richmond and North Melbourne.

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