Yet only has 1 B&F. Curious.
There are countless trades in recent history of a "very good but not elite player" being traded for a single pick in the 15-30 range. It's crazy to assume he will cost the Crows roughly 2 picks in the top 20 like some are suggesting.
I know stats aren't the "be all" of measuring a players worth, but if you go by the AFL player rankings, Gibbs is 99th and there are 47 non-midfielders ahead of him. That makes him 52nd best midfielder in the comp over the last few years.
In my opinion, it's crazy to think he's Crows will pay anything near 2 first round picks. More likely pick 13 and some cheap steak knives or pick 13 on it's own. Take the emotion out of it and tell me what makes Gibbs worth so much more than other players who've been traded before him?
Carlton have had depth issues the entire time he has been at the club. Chris Judd was our most prolific player the time he was there and naturally Gibbs and Murphy have been our 2nd and 3rd mids.
Perhaps there have been examples for uncontracted players or free agents but Gibbs is a contracted player, who is very much required by the club.
You can think it is crazy all you want, your club was overzealous in announcing Gibbs wanted to come home before having preliminary discussions with Carlton; gauging how realistic a trade would be. You've backed yourself into a corner.
We're not just evaluating the trade on emotion, we're looking at other intangible factors, many of which have already been discussed
1. Contracted until 2019. We've reiterated we're happy to retain him should a trade not eventuate.
2. Provides leadership and experience in a midfield group bereft of it. Is required not just for his footballing ability but also his mentorship and guidance.
3. Crows need to inject a player of his calibre right away before GWS, The Bulldogs and Sydney get too far ahead. They know the opportunity is now.
4. The Crows back out and they've let their supporters and members down. Rarely do they get a gun asking to come home and if they cannot organise a trade there will understandably be some dissent.