Mid West stars go head-to-head in derby clash, Patrick Cripps focused on bigger picture despite Brownlow hype

In western derby 59 on Saturday night West Coast will look to repeat the round six upset win over Fremantle. Meanwhile, Mid West stars clash in other games.

Rovers export Liam Ryan is cleared to play following tribunal concerns over a high bump in the loss to the Saints at Marvel Stadium last weekend.

Northampton’s Jamie Cripps will look to rekindle his form. He kicked eight goals in a five-match span but just one in his past four games.

Dongara’s Jaeger O’Meara was kept quiet in the first clash but has found some decent form in recent weeks and spent time in centre bounces against Melbourne.

With his side down against North Melbourne at half-time, it was Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps who rallied his team.

“I think controlling the energy of the breaks is so important as a leader,” Cripps said on AFL 360.

“We said, ‘let’s grind it out, it’s going to take 120 (minutes), it might take until the last minute to overrun them, but let’s stay present and keep the energy high’.”

Sure enough, Carlton came out firing in the second half to take a 16.11 (107) to 14.4 (88) win.

Following his performance, Cripps received eight coaches votes to put him at 86 on the year, closely trailing the leader, Sydney’s Isaac Heeney on 92.

Despite the prospect of winning his second Brownlow, coming in as the clear betting favourite at $2.50, the Northampton product is focused on the bigger picture.

“I have tunnel vision on the goal that we all share at the moment,” he said.

“We’re in a position now where it’s in our control with the teams we verse and where we are on the ladder . . . I’m excited about the opportunity we have ahead, and that’s what motivates me.”

Chapman Valley’s Jack Carroll was called up back into the Blues side for the first time since round 13 and impressed with one of his better performances this season, finishing with 17 disposals, two marks, two tackles and a clearance.

In his second game in the VFL since coming back from injury, Towns’ Jack Martin had 17 disposals as he looks to push back into Carlton’s league squad.

Both Carroll and Martin are in the mix for selection with Carlton taking on Port in the Friday night clash.

Following their big defeat to the Dockers, Melbourne will look for redemption against GWS at home.

Second-year defender, Geraldton’s Judd McVee, has been in career best form over the past three rounds, netting 20-plus disposals each week.

Mid-season draftee Brynn Teakle is in Tasmania this week for North Melbourne’s bout against Geelong on Saturday, while Logan McDonald and the Swans will host the Bulldogs on Sunday.