Not all bad for Carlton

CARLTON gun Patrick Cripps says the defection of Bryce Gibbs to Adelaide is frustrating, but there’s a silver lining for the Blues.

Cripps, who has fully recovered from the leg break he suffered in Round 15 last year and is taking part in the first full pre-season of his career, remains friends with Gibbs and was understanding of the club’s decision to trade the No.1 draft pick.

“I had a beer with him the other day and I said, ‘We’ll still be good mates but once we step over that white line I might have to give you one under the ears’,” Cripps said yesterday with a grin as the Blues trained at Princes Park.

Asked if the Gibbs trade showed that Carlton was now a few years away still from challenging for the AFL flag, Cripps said: “Internally we know the direction we’re heading.”