Patrick Cripps (born 18 March 1995) is an Australian rules footballer and captain of the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).[1][2] Selected by Carlton with the 13th pick in the 2013 AFL National Draft from East Fremantle in Western Australia, Cripps debuted in 2014 and quickly established himself as a dominant inside midfielder known for his contested possessions, clearances, and leadership.[3][1]Cripps' career highlights include winning the Brownlow Medal, the AFL's highest individual honour for the fairest and best player, in 2022 with 29 votes and again in 2024 with a record-breaking 45 votes—the highest tally in the award's history.[4][5] In 2024, he led the league in total clearances, centre clearances, and contested possessions, while also contributing 17 goals and demonstrating improved disposal efficiency and territorial impact.[6] At the club level, he has secured the John Nicholls Medal, Carlton's best and fairest award, five times (a record shared with John Nicholls) as of 2025, underscoring his consistent excellence and role as the team's talismanic figure.[2]Standing at 195 cm and weighing 93 kg, Cripps combines physical strength, speed, and tactical intelligence to excel in stoppages and contested situations, evolving from a pure inside player to one capable of influencing games externally and in forward entries.[6] Appointed co-captain in 2019 and sole captain in 2022, he has signed a long-term extension through 2027, committing to lead Carlton's resurgence toward premiership contention.[7] In 2025, Cripps continued as captain, playing 23 games despite team challenges.[8] Off the field, Cripps is recognized for his resilience, having overcome early injuries to become a four-time All-Australian and a model of professionalism in the league.[9]
Early life and junior career
Family background and upbringing
Patrick Cripps was born on 18 March 1995 in Perth, Western Australia, to parents Brad and Cath Cripps.[10][11] Shortly after his birth, the family relocated approximately 465 kilometers north to the rural farming town of Northampton in Western Australia's Mid West region, where they established life on a family-owned farm.[12] The Cripps family maintained strong generational ties to the state, with Brad Cripps actively involved in the local agricultural community and supporting his sons' engagement in regional sports and outdoor activities.[13]Raised as the middle child among three brothers in this supportive rural household, Cripps grew up immersed in the open spaces of the farm, which encouraged a lifestyle of physical activity, hunting, and early exposure to Australian rules football. His parents, Brad and Cath, provided unwavering encouragement during challenging times, including periods of drought on the farm, fostering resilience and a strong work ethic from a young age.[14] Cath Cripps later reflected that while she did not initially anticipate her son's path to professional football, the family's emphasis on determination and community involvement shaped his foundational development.[15]Cripps received his early education at Northampton District High School, attending from kindergarten through Year 10, before transitioning to boarding school at Aquinas College in Perth as a teenager.[16][17] It was during these school years in Northampton, a town renowned as a "football factory" for producing AFL talent, that he first participated in organized football, building on the informal play encouraged at home.[18] This rural upbringing, centered on family, farm life, and sport, provided the bedrock for his later athletic pursuits.[19]
Junior and representative football
Cripps began his junior football career with the Northampton Rams in regional Western Australia before relocating to Perth, where he played for the East Fremantle Football Club's junior and colts teams.[20][21]He represented Western Australia at the 2013 AFL Under-18 Championships, serving as vice-captain of the team and earning selection in the All-Australian squad for his strong midfield performances.[1][20] During the championships, Cripps averaged 19 disposals (including around 12 contested possessions), 6 clearances, and 3 tackles per game, demonstrating his endurance and ball-winning ability at the underage level.[22][1][23]These representative honors highlighted his early leadership qualities and midfield prowess, which were key factors in his recruitment. Carlton selected Cripps with the 13th pick in the 2013 AFL National Draft, viewing him as a durable inside midfielder with significant potential.[24][1]
AFL career
Draft and early seasons (2013–2014)
Cripps was selected by Carlton with the 13th pick in the 2013 AFL National Draft, earning a reputation as one of the premier inside midfielders in his cohort due to his contested ball-winning ability and physical presence during junior representative carnivals.[22] Following the draft, he signed a standard three-year rookie contract and relocated from his hometown in rural Western Australia to Melbourne, marking a significant transition from the slower-paced WAFL environment to the demands of professional life in the AFL.[25] The move presented initial hurdles, including adapting to the extensive interstate travel schedule and the heightened physicality of AFL contests, where he had to build endurance and strength to handle the relentless contest for possession.[26]Cripps made his AFL debut in Round 4 of the 2014 season against Melbourne at the MCG, where he recorded 17 disposals, including several contested possessions, in a performance that showcased his extraction skills despite the Blues' loss.[27] He went on to play 16 games that year, often rotating through the midfield and forward line while learning to cope with the league's intensity; however, a leg fracture sidelined him for six weeks mid-season, limiting his consistency.[28] One standout effort came in Round 8 against Collingwood, where he amassed 20 disposals and applied strong tackling pressure, contributing to Carlton's narrow victory and demonstrating his growing adaptation to high-stakes stoppages.[29]Despite the interruptions, Cripps impressed club officials with his work rate, finishing third in Carlton's best and fairest award, the John Nicholls Medal, behind winner Bryce Gibbs and runner-up Andrew Walker.[30] His early exposure highlighted a need for improved conditioning to match the AFL's physical toll, prompting focused off-season training on diet and aerobic capacity to prepare for a breakout 2015.[31]
Rise to prominence (2015–2017)
In 2015, Cripps established himself as a cornerstone of Carlton's midfield during the club's rebuilding phase, playing 20 games and averaging 23.6 disposals, including 13.7 contested possessions and 6.7 clearances per game.[32][28] His relentless contested ball-winning and clearance work provided vital drive from stoppages in a struggling team, earning him the John Nicholls Medal as Carlton's best and fairest player with 68 votes, making him the second-youngest recipient of the award at age 20.[33] Additionally, he finished runner-up in the NAB AFL Rising Star award, recognizing his rapid development after a limited debut season in 2014 marred by injury.[32]Cripps elevated his performance in 2016, appearing in 21 games and averaging 27 disposals while leading the AFL with 8.8 clearances per game, underscoring his dominance in contested situations and contribution to Carlton's contested possession efforts amid ongoing rebuild challenges.[34][28] He recorded multiple career-high disposal hauls exceeding 30, including 34 against Collingwood and 33 against West Coast, highlighting his growing influence in high-pressure games. His standout season garnered 18 Brownlow Medal votes—the highest for a Carlton player that year—and selection to the AFL Players Association's 22 Under 22 team, signaling emerging leadership qualities as the club invested in his long-term role with a contract extension to 2019.[35][36][37]The 2017 season marked Cripps' breakthrough on the national stage despite a back injury limiting him to 15 games, where he averaged 24.9 disposals and continued to excel in clearances and contested work, bolstering Carlton's midfield resilience.[28] He earned his first All-Australian selection as an interchange player, affirming his rise as one of the league's premier inside midfielders.[38] Polling 5 Brownlow votes, Cripps' performances further demonstrated the club's trust in his leadership potential, with early discussions positioning him as a key figure in future captaincy structures.[39][40]
Co-captaincy and peak form (2018–2019)
In 2018, Patrick Cripps delivered a standout season for Carlton, averaging 28.9 disposals per game across 22 matches while leading the AFL in total clearances with 168.[28][41] His dominance in the midfield earned him widespread acclaim as one of the league's premier ball-winners, culminating in a fourth-place finish in the Brownlow Medal with 20 votes—the highest tally ever recorded by a player from a wooden spoon team.[42] Cripps also secured his second John Nicholls Medal as Carlton's best and fairest, further solidifying his status among the elite midfielders.[41] This performance saw him selected in the 2018 All-Australian team.[42]Cripps' form carried into 2019, where he was appointed co-captain alongside Sam Docherty in October 2018, becoming one of the youngest players to hold the role at the club at age 23.[43] Despite Carlton's challenges, he anchored the midfield with exceptional consistency, playing 20 games and again topping the league in clearances.[44] His leadership and output were pivotal in a late-season surge that kept the Blues competitive, though they ultimately fell short of finals contention with a 13th-place finish after narrow losses in key matches.[45]Cripps reached new heights in 2019, winning the AFL Players Association's Most Valuable Player award—the Leigh Matthews Trophy—with 832 votes, the highest margin since 2014 and the first such honor for a non-top-eight player since Gary Ablett.[44] He polled 26 Brownlow votes to tie for third place, while claiming his third John Nicholls Medal in a tight count, becoming the youngest three-time winner in club history.[46][45] A highlight was his Round 12 performance against Brisbane, where he recorded 38 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles, and four goals—including three in the second half—to inspire a 15-point comeback victory, one of Carlton's few wins that season.[47] Media outlets hailed Cripps as the AFL's top midfielder, crediting his Herculean efforts for carrying a rebuilding Carlton side.[44]
Setbacks during COVID era (2020–2021)
The 2020 AFL season was heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Carlton playing in a hub-based format in Queensland that limited the campaign to 17 home-and-away games per team.[48] As co-captain alongside Sam Docherty, Cripps featured in all 17 matches for the Blues, averaging 19.6 disposals per game—a noticeable drop from his pre-pandemic average of over 28—while still leading the team in total disposals and contested possessions.[28][49] Despite his efforts in driving Carlton's midfield, the team finished 11th on the ladder with a 7–10 record, marking another season of struggle.[50] Cripps did not receive an All-Australian selection that year, a departure from his 2018 and 2019 honors.[51]In 2021, Cripps continued as co-captain but faced significant physical setbacks, including a fractured back sustained in pre-season that required weekly injections to manage pain and enable him to play.[52] The injury impaired his explosiveness early in the season, contributing to a reduced average of 23.4 disposals across 20 games, during which he missed three matches due to related soreness and a separate quad issue.[28][53] Carlton's form remained inconsistent, culminating in a 13th-place finish with an 8–14 record, intensifying the leadership demands on Cripps amid ongoing team rebuild efforts.[50]The dual burdens of co-captaincy and pandemic-related protocols, including prolonged isolation in hubs, added layers of uncertainty and pressure, though Cripps demonstrated resilience by mentoring emerging talents like Sam Walsh and mentoring the club's younger midfielders through the lows.[54] His pre-COVID status as a league MVP underscored the challenges of maintaining elite output in such constrained conditions.[55]
Sole captaincy and first Brownlow Medal (2022–2023)
In 2022, Patrick Cripps assumed sole captaincy of the Carlton Football Club following co-captain Sam Docherty's decision to step back from leadership duties to focus on his recovery from health challenges, including a prior battle with cancer and subsequent injuries.[54][56] Cripps, who had shared the role with Docherty since 2019, was endorsed by players, coaches, and the board for the position, marking a new era of leadership amid the club's ongoing rebuild under coach Michael Voss.[57] Under his guidance, Carlton showed improved consistency, starting the season with an 8-2 record, but ultimately missed the finals on percentage after a dramatic round 23 loss to Collingwood, ending a near-decade-long absence from September action.[58]Cripps' individual brilliance that year culminated in a thrilling Brownlow Medal victory, polling 29 votes to edge out Brisbane's Lachie Neale by one vote and Gold Coast's Touk Miller by two, becoming the first Carlton player to claim the award since Chris Judd in 2010.[4] He received unanimous three votes in several late-season rounds, including the pivotal final match against Collingwood where he amassed 35 disposals and 12 clearances despite the defeat, underscoring his status as the league's best and fairest player.[59] This triumph, the club's first Brownlow in 12 years, injected significant morale into the team and fanbase, reinforcing Cripps' role as a transformative leader during a season of heightened expectations.[60]Building on this momentum in 2023, Cripps earned back-to-back selection in the All-Australian squad, averaging 24.8 disposals, 7.8 clearances, and 14.5 contested possessions across 25 games as he balanced midfield dominance with occasional forward time to ease physical demands.[28][61] His leadership propelled Carlton to a seventh-place finish and their first finals appearance since 2013, ending a nine-year drought with a hard-fought elimination final victory over Sydney by six points at the MCG.[62] In that match, Cripps recorded 28 disposals, 10 clearances, and kicked a crucial goal from a set shot in the final quarter, helping seal the win and advancing the Blues to a semi-final triumph over Melbourne before a preliminary final loss to Brisbane.[63][64] These achievements highlighted Cripps' evolution as captain, fostering team resilience and elevating club spirit toward sustained contention.
Second Brownlow and recent challenges (2024–2025)
In 2024, Patrick Cripps achieved a historic milestone by winning his second Brownlow Medal, becoming the first Carlton player to claim the award twice and polling a record 45 votes to edge out Collingwood's Nick Daicos on 38. [5][65] As captain, he led the Blues to a sixth-place finish and a return to the finals, where they fell to Brisbane in an elimination final, showcasing his enduring influence amid a team resurgence. [5][6]Following this triumph, Cripps was reappointed as Carlton captain for 2025, reaffirming his long-term commitment to the club despite growing external pressures. [66] He emphasized a focus on collective improvement and stability, stating his dedication to steering the team through upcoming challenges. [67]The 2025 season proved more turbulent for Cripps and Carlton, with the Blues enduring a disappointing campaign marked by inconsistency and an early exit from finals contention. Despite the team's challenges, Cripps won his fifth John Nicholls Medal as Carlton's best and fairest player at the end-of-season count.[68] Cripps played all 23 games, averaging 24.2 disposals, and polled 19 Brownlow votes, pushing his career total beyond 200—a feat achieved by only 13 players in VFL/AFL history and the first for a Carlton player. [28][69] However, his form dipped noticeably in the latter stages, with no goals scored in the final five games and disposals falling below 25 in four of the last six outings (20 against West Coast in Round 16, 22 against Essendon in Round 17, 24 against Gold Coast in Round 20, and despite a 36-disposal haul against Fremantle in Round 21). [8] This slump coincided with broader team struggles, including a mid-season winless streak that amplified scrutiny on the leadership group. [70][71]Amid these challenges, trade speculation intensified in mid-2025, with reports linking Cripps to Western Australian clubs such as West Coast and Fremantle, fueled by his Perth origins, reported homesickness, and the performance dip. [72][73] Commentators suggested a move could rejuvenate both Cripps and his suitors, but he and Carlton firmly denied any interest in a trade, with Cripps reiterating his resolve to remain and rebuild at the Blues. [74][75]
Playing style and leadership
On-field attributes and role
Patrick Cripps stands at 195 cm and leverages his imposing physical presence and strength to dominate contested situations in the AFL midfield, earning comparisons to club legend Chris Judd for his ability to impose himself in physical battles.[76][40] As an elite contested possession player, he has consistently ranked among the league's leaders, with a career average of 14.5 contested possessions per game, often excelling in high-pressure stoppages.[77][78] His powerful tackling further underscores this inside dominance, maintaining a career average exceeding 5 tackles per game and frequently disrupting opposition ball movement through sheer force.[8] These attributes position him as a cornerstone inside midfielder for Carlton, where his physicality secures possessions at the coalface.Cripps' exceptional endurance enables him to sustain a relentless work rate across full games, rarely rotating off the field and contributing vigorously to clearances and stoppages, with a career average of 7.1 clearances per game.[77][36] This stamina allows him to cover extensive ground while maintaining intensity in contested environments, often playing every match in a season, as demonstrated in 2024 when he featured in all 24 games.[36][28] Complementing his inside prowess, Cripps demonstrates strong marking ability, averaging 3 marks per game, which aids in transitioning play from defense to attack.[77]His handball skills are a key asset, facilitating quick distribution under pressure and enhancing team connectivity, with consistent contributions in this area throughout his career.[79] Over time, Cripps has evolved into a dual-threat midfielder, expanding beyond pure inside work to incorporate effective outside run, thereby increasing his overall disposals and impact across the ground.[79] This development has been particularly evident in his improved goal-kicking efficiency since 2022, when he kicked 20 goals, followed by sustained scoring output, including 17 goals in 2024, adding a forward dimension to his role. In 2025, despite Carlton's mid-season struggles, Cripps averaged 12.9 contested possessions per game over 23 matches, showcasing resilience in contested situations.[80][36][28]
Captaincy and influence
Patrick Cripps was elected co-captain of the Carlton Football Club in 2019 alongside Sam Docherty, becoming the youngest captain in AFL history at the age of 23.[43] He transitioned to sole captain in 2022, a role he has held continuously thereafter.[81] In this capacity, Cripps has streamlined the club's leadership structure under coach Michael Voss, collaborating weekly on team motivation and strategy to align with the club's long-term vision.[82]Cripps' leadership style emphasizes leading by example through an unrelenting work ethic, often dedicating the latter part of training weeks to optimizing performance and energy for match days.[82] He is vocal during on-field huddles, delivering impassioned quarter-time addresses that rally teammates toward unity and resilience, as seen in his 2023 speech against GWS where he urged the group to stay connected under pressure, contributing to a crucial victory.[83] As a mentor, Cripps focuses on guiding young midfielders, providing raw talents with frameworks for habit-building and independence to accelerate their development and breakthroughs.[82] His on-field tenacity in contested situations further bolsters this influence, modeling the resilience required in Carlton's ongoing rebuild.Off-field, Cripps serves as the primary media spokesperson for the club, frequently addressing form challenges and outlining paths forward in public interviews.[84] He has played a pivotal role in fostering club culture during the rebuild, promoting unity in victories and accountability during losses by encouraging teammates to "step up and dig in" amid slumps.[71] While facing criticisms from pundits like Matthew Lloyd in 2025 for the leadership group's handling of mid-season struggles, Cripps has been praised for his personalaccountability, as evidenced in interviews where he expressed frustration and called for internal improvement to maintain optimism.[85][86] At the 2025 John Nicholls Medal count, he reinforced this by advocating a "bouncing forward" mindset, drawing lessons from setbacks to build collective strength.[68]
Career statistics and honours
AFL statistics
Patrick Cripps has played 230 Australian Football League (AFL) games for the Carlton Football Club from 2014 to 2025, accumulating 5,887 disposals, 3,339 contested possessions, 1,630 clearances, and 1,259 tackles.[28]The following table summarizes his season-by-season AFL statistics, including games played, average disposals, average contested possessions, total goals, and Brownlow Medal votes.
Year
Games
Avg. Disposals
Avg. Contested Possessions
Goals
Brownlow Votes
2014
3
9.0
4.3
0
0
2015
20
23.6
13.7
6
6
2016
21
26.9
16.9
10
18
2017
15
24.9
13.5
7
5
2018
22
29.6
17.6
11
20
2019
20
28.0
17.0
13
26
2020
17
19.6
11.8
7
10
2021
20
23.4
12.3
13
5
2022
21
28.1
15.3
20
29
2023
24
24.8
13.6
9
22
2024
24
28.8
15.7
17
45
2025
23
24.2
12.9
14
19
Averages calculated from seasonal totals reported by AFL Tables.[28]Cripps ranks 14th among active AFL players in career disposals with 5,887, placing him among the top-10 active midfielders in total possessions.[87] He has led the league in total clearances in multiple seasons, including 2018 (168), 2019 (170), and 2024 (193), and finished in the top five in several other years, such as sixth in 2025 with 148 clearances.[28][88] His career tackle efficiency stands at approximately 5.5 tackles per game, contributing to his reputation as a high-pressure midfielder.[28]
Awards and achievements
Patrick Cripps has achieved significant individual recognition in the Australian Football League (AFL), most notably as a dual winner of the Brownlow Medal, the award for the league's fairest and best player. He claimed his first Brownlow in 2022, polling 29 votes to edge out Brisbane's Lachie Neale by one vote in a dramatic count. In 2024, Cripps secured his second Brownlow with a record-breaking 45 votes, becoming the first Carlton player to win multiple Brownlow Medals and establishing the highest vote tally in the award's history.Cripps has been selected in the All-Australian team five times, recognizing his elite performance among the league's top 22 players each season. His selections came in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, with the latter including his appointment as vice-captain of the team.At club level, Cripps has won the John Nicholls Medal, Carlton's best and fairest award, on five occasions: in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024, tying the record held by Blues legend John Nicholls. Additionally, in 2019, he was voted the AFL Players' Association Most Valuable Player, earning the Leigh Matthews Trophy for his outstanding season as selected by his peers.Under Cripps' captaincy, Carlton returned to the finals in 2022 for the first time since 2013, followed by consecutive appearances in 2023 and 2024, though the team has yet to secure a premiership. Early in his career, Cripps received a nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award in round 4 of the 2015 season, highlighting his rapid emergence as a key midfielder.
Personal life
Family and relationships
Patrick Cripps married his longtime partner, Monique Fontana, on December 30, 2022, at Sandalford Winery in Western Australia's Swan Valley, in a ceremony attended by over 200 guests.[89] The couple first met in Perth in 2015 and have since maintained a relatively low public profile while supporting each other through personal and professional challenges.[90] They welcomed their first child, daughter Koda Sophie Cripps, in April 2024, marking a joyful addition to their family.[91]Cripps maintains a close bond with his parents, Brad and Cath Cripps, who temporarily relocated from their wheat and canola farm near Northampton to Perth to better support his burgeoning AFL career.[26] His family has been instrumental in fostering his early passion for Australian rules football, rooted in the tight-knit football culture of rural Western Australia.[11] He has two brothers: an older brother, Daniel, and a younger brother, Josh, the latter of whom has pursued football in Western Australia, playing for East Fremantle in the WAFL and trialing with Carlton's VFL side.[11][92]Living in Melbourne for his career with the Carlton Football Club has presented challenges for Cripps, including periods of homesickness due to the distance from his Western Australian family roots.[93] The family often reunites for gatherings in Perth during the off-season, providing essential time to recharge and strengthen their support network.[94]
Off-field interests and philanthropy
Beyond his on-field commitments, Patrick Cripps has demonstrated a keen interest in recreational activities that allow him to unwind and connect with his Western Australian roots. A notable golf enthusiast, Cripps has participated in lighthearted golf challenges, showcasing his recreational enjoyment of the sport alongside fellow AFL players. During visits to his family farm in Northampton, Western Australia, he engages in fishing and surfing, activities he credits with providing a grounding escape from the demands of professional football.[95][96]In the business realm, Cripps has secured significant off-field partnerships, most prominently a major endorsement deal with Nike in 2019, described as one of the largest in AFL history, under which he wears Nike footwear throughout his career.[97] He also serves as an ambassador for AIA Vitality, promoting health and wellbeing initiatives that align with his personal values.[98] These endorsements reflect his growing commercial profile while maintaining a focus on authentic brand alignments.Cripps is actively involved in philanthropy, particularly in supporting children's health and community relief efforts. As an ambassador for My Room Children's Cancer Charity, he advocates for families affected by pediatric cancer, emphasizing the emotional impact of bringing joy to young patients through personalized interactions and fundraising.[99] In response to the 2020 Australian bushfires, he personally donated 100 signed Carlton guernseys and additional memorabilia, raising over $30,000 for the Bushfire Disaster Appeal.[100][101] He has further contributed to men's health causes, partnering with Coles in 2022 to support Movember initiatives addressing prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.[102]His commitment to mental health awareness is a cornerstone of his off-field work, influenced by his wife's experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder and his own studies in psychology, which he began pursuing around 2022.[103][104] As an AIA ambassador, Cripps promotes programs like Movember's "Ahead of the Game," a youthmental health initiative educating young players, parents, and coaches on resilience and wellbeing. He uses the off-season, particularly following Carlton's 2025 struggles, for personal recharge through family time and advocacy, reinforcing his role in broader community mental health efforts.[98][105][68]