Northampton’s Patrick Cripps earns fourth All-Australian blazer and named side’s vice-captain

Adding another accolade to his impressive career, Northampton’s Patrick Cripps earnt his fourth All-Australian blazer and was named the team’s vice-captain.

The Carlton captain has put together one of his most impressive seasons in 2024 and was recognised at the AFL awards night on Thursday.

The 29-year-old has averaged 28.7 disposals, 8.1 clearances and 5.5 tackles per game while kicking 16 goals over the season and finished first in contested possessions and clearances in the competition.

It comes as he sits as the equal betting favourite for the Brownlow Medal alongside Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, after both players have put together Charlie-worthy campaigns.

Cripps was named as the starting ruck rover for the 22, and after being named in the side he talked about the pain of watching the Fremantle match that put them in finals.

“It was a terrible three hours; I hated every minute of it,” he told Fox Footy.

“I couldn’t watch the fourth quarter; I went downstairs with George Hewitt, and we watched the score.”

One of Cripps’ highlights from the season was when he put the team on his back against the Eagles and kept Carlton’s season alive.

“I love those challenges … in games where it really starts to matter later in the year, fear can sometimes creep up in guys’ minds,” Cripps said.

“So I just went out there saying ‘if I’m going to fail, I want to fail having a crack, really try and give as much effort (as possible’).

“Just wanted to give those younger guys the confidence, and go out and as a leader set the example — that was one of my most enjoyable wins as a player and a captain.”

Now Cripps and Carlton are preparing for their finals campaign that begins on Saturday in an elimination final against Brisbane.