BRYCE Gibbs is an "A-grade" player that Carlton would love to keep, Blues defender Michael Jamison says.

 

AFL.com.au understands Carlton is close to re-signing Gibbs despite strong industry speculation earlier this year that the restricted free agent was headed home to South Australia.

 

Jamison told AFL.com.au after watching Gibbs rack up a game-high 38 possessions in Carlton's 32-point win over St Kilda on Monday night that the Blues were confident he would re-sign.

 

"You'd love to keep all your A-grade players and Bryce is certainly that," Jamison said.

 

"We're really, really confident that 'Gibbsy' will hang around as soon as his management and the club sort out a good deal.

 

"Bryce was fantastic tonight, he's been pretty good all year.

 

"Gibbsy has probably got five of his best mates at the club and that always helps when you're trying to make a decision on whether to stay."

 

Monday night's game will be memorable for Jamison, as he kicked just the second goal of his 118-game career.

 

It came at the 18-minute mark of the third quarter after the key defender was given a rare 10-minute stint in attack as the Saints experimented with a small forward line.

 

As Lachie Henderson kicked the ball deep inside the Blues' forward 50, Jamison flew to take a strong mark in front of his Saints opponent.

 

Although he took his set shot from no more than 25m, Jamison admitted his nerves had been jangling.

 

"I doubled the career (goals) tally tonight, so that's always good," he said.

 

"The boys certainly get into me a lot. I think over my career I've kicked 1.6, so it was nice to get one back on the good side.

 

"I was actually nervous. I knew what I would have copped back at the club if I missed it."