It’s been the subject of much speculation in football circles, but Mick Malthouse is clear on where he stands when it comes to contract negotiations for Bryce Gibbs.
“I do want Bryce to stay,” Malthouse told radio FIVEaa last night.
“I do want him to be part of a football club that we think we can get together and go forward.”
The comments come after Gibbs yesterday gave his strongest indication yet that he intends to stay put at Carlton, telling reporters he is settled in Melbourne and if a deal “could be done tomorrow it would be done tomorrow”.
GIBBS SAYS CONTRACT PROGRESSING WELL
The 25-year-old was taken by Carlton with the number one draft pick in 2006. He has since played 162 games in the navy blue, and last year became the second-youngest player in Carlton history to notch up the 150-game milestone.
After a year away from Carlton’s leadership group to focus on his football, Gibbs was elected as part of the Blues’ eight-man leadership group for 2014.
Malthouse said he believes the likes of Gibbs and Blues captain Marc Murphy have the skills and leadership capabilities to take Carlton forward.
And the Carlton coach believes Gibbs is the type of leader who has the potential to step-up to the role of vice-captain in the coming years.
“I want Bryce Gibbs here – I enjoy him as a young bloke, I think he’s a wonderful young man, I love him as a footballer, (and) I think he’ll only get better as he takes on more responsibility,” Malthouse said.
“When you give people responsibility they grow. He’s growing already as a player and for my part of it, I want him here.”
