Patrick Cripps has displayed some of the finest football of his career following coaching dismissals. In 2019, after Brendon Bolton was relieved of his duties at Carlton, Cripps delivered one of the most remarkable performances seen in recent history. While his statistics were impressive, they don’t fully capture the impact of his play on that day. “It’s probably one of the best individual performances I’ve ever seen on a football field,” remarked his opponent from Brisbane, Dayne Zorko.
Leading up to that match, Cripps was visibly struggling. The final months under Bolton had been a battle, and the team was in disarray. As the youngest captain in the AFL, he faced constant pressure from two opposing players each week while still needing to publicly support his coach. Just a week prior, on a dreary Sunday, he managed only 11 possessions against Essendon, held back by Dylan Clarke, a second-gamer. However, just six days later, he transformed into a different player, embodying a mix of anger, relief, and liberation. It was reminiscent of a corporate stress relief session, where exhausted workers take to a room filled with breakable items armed with crowbars.
However, as David Teague’s time as coach came to a close, Cripps faced new challenges. He was battling a broken back, moving with discomfort. “I can’t believe how badly he’s aged,” commented Leigh Matthews, noting that Cripps had taken on a more journeyman-like appearance. Despite only recently turning 26, he had the option to return to Western Australia as a free agent following another coaching change. Instead, he slimmed down, rehabilitated his back, and showcased some of his best football yet, playing a gritty, combative style marked by countless small battles. New coach Michael Voss crafted a game plan centered around him, which ultimately led to Cripps winning his first Brownlow, thanks in part to the efforts of club lawyer Christopher Townshend KC.
Yet, as they say in The Sopranos, “He’s become like a journeyman.” and there have been moments over the past year when Cripps has not appeared to be at his best. In 2025, he finished fifth in Carlton’s best and fairest, a result that did not suggest strong competition. His earlier form this year drew unexpected criticism. It illustrated how far Carlton had fallen when discussions arose about potentially trading Cripps. Jordan Lewis, who infamously broke Cripps’ jaw in 2017, suggested the club should consider trading him for draft picks.
The truth is that the Blues’ captain had been under considerable strain. His playing style, compounded by teammates’ inability to share the load and the energy expended on off-field issues, had taken its toll. During a scandal involving former president Luke Sayers, when the team struggled to perform, and amid teammates seeking to leave, it was Cripps who had to advocate for calm and loyalty. When the coach’s strategies were criticized, it was Cripps who stepped up to defend them publicly. This ongoing pressure mirrored the responsibilities he bore during the coaching changes with Bolton and Teague.
All of this pent-up energy was unleashed during a spectacular final quarter against Geelong. The build-up had begun since halftime of Voss’ last game. Cripps tackled Irishman Oisin Mullin, who had previously dominated some of Australia’s best players this season. There was a newfound lightness to Cripps that had been missing earlier this year. His agility and skill were back, and in a critical moment, he executed a match-winning mark against formidable opponents, including a two-time Coleman medallist and a seasoned defender.
Cripps’ dramatic mark, followed by a goal as the final siren sounded, sparked an uproar typically reserved for the climax of the season. It would have seemed out of place for a team finishing in 15th, yet it symbolized the deep connection he has with his club. Rather than opting for a comfortable existence in Perth that might have included a championship, Cripps chose to remain. The emotional release witnessed on that day encapsulated not only his personal journey but also the collective spirit of the entire football club.
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