THERE'S no looking back for Adelaide as the Crows prepare to face Bryce Gibbs for the first time since their failed pursuit of the Carlton star.
Gibbs could have been wearing a red, yellow and blue guernsey rather than a navy blue one when the two sides square off at the MCG on Saturday.
The Crows opened last year's NAB AFL Trade Period by declaring Gibbs' interest in returning home to South Australia.
But with Gibbs having three years left on his contract with the Blues, the two clubs were unable to agree on terms for a trade.
Gibbs is in the middle of a purple patch of form, the midfielder racking up more than 30 possessions in four of his past five games, including a huge 43 disposals and 10 tackles against Gold Coast in round 13.
Crows coach Don Pyke said it didn't make sense to consider whether the Crows should've done more to lure Gibbs across at the end of last year.
"We've had that conversation about the Gibbs situation and clearly there wasn't a deal to be done and we've moved on," Pyke said.
"He's one of a number of good players for Carlton, whether it's Gibbs, you've got (Marc) Murphy, (Patrick) Cripps through the middle there and you've got (Kade) Simpson and (Sam) Docherty, who are dangerous down back.
"We recognise they have got some quality on all lines and he's just one of those, but for this weekend, he's just an opposition player."
While the Crows (9-4) and the Blues (5-8) are separated by 13 spots on the ladder, their recent form is identical, with three wins from their past seven games.
The Crows are wary of the damage rebounding defenders Simpson and Docherty are capable of.
Docherty is leading the League in kicks (284) and marks (127) while Simpson (222 and 97) is in the top 10 in both categories.
"They are two guys that really set them up from the back half," Pyke said.
"Carlton play a unique style and those two guys are pivotal as part of that style.
"We will have to have some clear plans for how we want to deal with those two guys, because they are generally pretty high metres-gained sort of players."
Veteran midfielder Scott Thompson could be in line for his first game of the season.
The 34-year-old's toughness at the contest will help club champion Rory Sloane in dealing with physical pressure.
"We know 'Thommo' over 300 games has been a really competitive animal," Pyke said.
"That's been one of his great strengths.
"Would he bring that to the team if he bring him in? Clearly he would, because that's what he's done for 300-plus games.
"But we're not going down the path of bringing players in to chaperone other players around.
"We've got plenty of competitive animals in our team. It's the ability to bring it on a consistent level which we're looking for."
