Patrick Cripps Praises 'Unbelievable' AFL Origin Experience and State Pride
Dual Brownlow medallist and Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has enthusiastically described his leadership role in the recent AFL Origin match as "unbelievable" and one of the highlights of his illustrious career. Speaking at the AFL Captain's Day, just ten days before Carlton's season opener against Sydney at the SCG, Cripps reflected on the intense atmosphere and close contest that saw Western Australia narrowly fall to Victoria at a packed Optus Stadium.
Cripps Eager for Future AFL Origin Opportunities
"The experience was unbelievable. One of the best things I have done in my career," Cripps told The West Australian. "A lot of the boys I played with said the same. It was a chance to get back home and reconnect and represent WA." He emphasized the electric crowd and atmosphere, noting that the game's tight finish amplified the excitement. Cripps highlighted the deep-seated pride among WA players, stating, "What I learnt the most or what was reinforced is how much WA boys love WA. The pride of playing for your State." He added that it evoked childhood memories and a pure love for football, expressing eagerness to participate again if AFL Origin returns next pre-season.
Carlton's Transformative Off-Season and New Dynamics
As Cripps prepares for his eighth season leading the Blues, his fifth as solo captain, he discussed the significant changes within the club. Carlton has undergone a transformative off-season, welcoming six new assistant coaches, including Adam Simpson in a consultancy and mentoring role. The team has seen player movements with Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, and Corey Durdin departing, while new additions like Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, Ben Ainsworth, and Campbell Chesser join via trades, and Harry Dean, Jack Ison, and Talor Byrne arrive through the draft.
Cripps acknowledged the blend of stability and fresh energy, saying, "There are a lot of new players and a lot of new assistant coaches but the key roles have a bit of stability. There’s probably 10-15 players above 26 who have been there for a long time now and a lot of work we have done in previous years has still followed through." He emphasized the club's focus on creating energy and fostering a love for the game, aiming to build on lessons from last season's 11th-place finish with a 9-14 record.
Focus on Strengths and Dynamic Play for Upcoming Season
When asked about coach Michael Voss's message for the season, Cripps revealed, "Let’s lean in to our strengths. We have to create an environment where we love our footy and that doesn’t mean our standards drop." He avoided setting expectations, noting the unpredictability of the AFL ladder and the excitement of the unknown with so many new elements. Cripps pointed to a more dynamic forward half and improved outside play as key factors for success, stating, "We have always had a team that wins a lot of the ball and gets opportunities, I feel like if we can damage them more on the outside this year we can be a really powerful and dangerous side."
Optimism for Returning Players and New Talent
Cripps also expressed confidence in players returning from long-term injuries and new recruits, particularly highlighting Jagga Smith, the number three pick in the 2024 draft who missed his first season due to an ACL injury. "He is a great fella, works really hard and has an A-grade level talent," Cripps said. "He is built for this stuff. As an older player you love seeing these guys come in that have not only the talent but their want to get the most out of themselves and he has got that." He praised Smith's resilience and predicted a strong impact, underscoring the team's highly motivated and refreshed outlook for the challenges ahead.
