Carlton vice-captain Bryce Gibbs is trying to look on the bright side of his season-ending injury, saying it’s been great to see his younger teammates “relish” more game time.

Gibbs injured his left pectoral muscle against Richmond in Round 15 and subsequently had to undergo surgery to attach the muscle back to the bone, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s a bit unusual for me, it’s the first surgery I’ve had in nine years so it’s all new to me,” he told Triple M’s Rush Hour on Wednesday.

“It has been a bit annoying and a bit of a pain, but I’m going to have to put up with it and find a way to get things done.”

Carlton has 13 players on its injury list including Andrew Walker, Dale Thomas and Dennis Armfield, and Gibbs admits the club “can’t take a trick” at the moment.

“We haven’t had a good run this year with injuries, there’s always one or two that pop up each week,” Gibbs said.

With so many experienced players unavailable for selection, the 186-gamer says interim coach John Barker has really encouraged the baby Blues to step up to the challenge.

“He’s playing some younger guys and we’re seeing them relish getting some game time and showing their skills off – I think he’s been really good for the group.

“He’s driving those standards back to what’s necessary to play AFL footy and we’ve got those foundations there now – we’ve got to keep growing and winning games off the back of that,” Gibbs said.

After a valiant effort last weekend against Fremantle, this Friday night the Blues take on another premiership contender: Hawthorn. Gibbs says with each round “it definitely doesn’t get any easier”.

“Friday night, a big stage against probably the best team in the competition – it’s going to be a good opportunity for our young group,” Gibbs said.

At the end of the interview, Gibbs, who owns fashion label Tushay with former teammate Jordan Russell, couldn’t help critiquing Billy Brownless’ oversized t-shirt: “It looks like an art smock from here!” he joked.