Gibbs has the Blues after deal falls over

CARLTON star Bryce Gibbs could still play for Adelaide one day, his father says, after a proposed trade for the homesick midfielder fell through.

The Crows finished the AFL trade period as arguably the biggest loser after failing to strike a deal for Gibbs, having gone public with their desire to bring home the contracted 27year-old.

Gibbs was keen to return to Adelaide so he and his partner could reconnect with family and receive help with their young son but the Blues played hardball, demanding two firstround draft picks or a firstround selection combined with a quality player.

His father Ross yesterday said he was disappointed but hadn’t given up hope of a future trade for his son, who is contracted until the end of 2019.

“The Crows have had a couple of cracks at Bryce before and haven’t quite got it right and they went harder this time so there was genuine hope that he would be able to come home,” he said.

“But we’re a footballing family and know the rules. Obviously we’re disappointed that something couldn’t be done but Bryce is a contracted player and he’ll have to honour that contract.

“Carlton stuck to their guns and the Crows’ window of opportunity didn’t work out so we all move on. One day it might be a different story.”

Adelaide powerbroker Mark Ricciuto admitted on Friday the Crows thought Carlton were bluffing when they refused to accept an offer for Gibbs.

Ricciuto, chairman of the Crows’ list management committee, said it would have been irresponsible to give up what the Blues were demanding.

“We thought that they might have been playing the game and then come back late and said ‘OK, he wants to go home. He is probably not going to be in our next premiership side so we’ll take somewhere in between’,” he said.