Search

show me:

Carlton just getting started: Cripps

3 minute read

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps believes his AFL club's revival is only just getting started as he eyes his 150th game milestone.

PATRICK CRIPPS of the Blues is tackled by Shaun Grigg of the Tigers during the AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at MCG in Melbourne, Australia.
PATRICK CRIPPS of the Blues is tackled by Shaun Grigg of the Tigers during the AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at MCG in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Halfway through his most successful AFL season, and hopefully halfway through his career, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps feels like he's just getting started.

Cripps, who plays his 150th AFL game against Richmond on Thursday night, is a triple club champion, dual All Australian and rated among the league's best players.

But he's already won more games this year - eight from his 11 matches - than he has in any of his previous eight AFL seasons.

"You start winning a few games and you start enjoying the hard work you have put in in the previous years," Cripps told reporters on Wednesday.

"So I'm pretty excited for the next hopefully 150 (games) and I think they will be a bit more successful than the first 150."

Carlton last played a finals game in 2013, the year before Cripps arrived, but the drought is destined to end this season with the Blues currently perched in fourth spot.

"I probably grew a lot as a person through some of those tough times," Cripps said.

"One thing I have been big on and I know a lot of the guys ... have been big on is having a level of optimism and hope and positivity around the place when there is tough times.

"You have got to keep the group together and that is something I am really proud of - the group has really stuck together and we are starting to see the hard work pay off.

"But we feel like that is just only getting started. We feel like we have got so much more to give and that is the exciting part."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au