Gibbs steps down from Carlton leadership group

BRYCE Gibbs has revealed he decided not to nominate for Carlton's leadership group this season to get his "own backyard" in order.

In December, the Blues reduced the size of their leadership group from eight to five, with former skipper Chris Judd, Gibbs and Michael Jamison dropping out.

One of Carlton's official leaders in five of his past six seasons since joining the Blues as the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, Gibbs said he consulted some close confidantes before relinquishing the leadership role in the best interests of both the team and his own football.

"It was a tough decision. I thought I'd step away, purely just to get my own backyard right," he told CFC TV.

"As a leader, you strive to play consistent footy every week and probably at times I didn’t feel I was doing that last year and maybe found it hard to give some guys some feedback on different things that maybe I wasn't doing myself."

Gibbs, who will turn 24 in March, insisted there was "no pressure" from his teammates or coaches, and that it was entirely his decision.

He would like to return to a leadership role once he had his game under control as he spends more time in the midfield and attack after playing predominantly in defence under previous coach Brett Ratten.

"I'd like to think I'm well respected within the playing group and what I say around the place is valued (and) the players have certainly given their feedback to me around those issues," he said.

"Hopefully in the future I could step back in there."