CAPTAIN Patrick Cripps and beloved player Sam Docherty have tonight been recognised with Life Membership of the Carlton Football Club, at the Spirit of Carlton’s Hall of Fame function at Palladium, Crown. 

Cripps and Docherty were recipients of the award in recognition of ten years and 100 games of service to the Club.  

Cripps, the 2022 Brownlow Medallist, three-time All Australian and four-time John Nicholls Medal winner, is 185 games and 11 seasons into his AFL career; with Docherty, the 2016 John Nicholls Medallist, a 155-gamer in the Navy Blue over the same period at IKON Park. 

01:54

2013 to 2023: 10 years of Cripps at Carlton

This year's draft marks 10 years since Patrick Cripps became a Blue.

Called to the stage as the Club’s latest Life Member, Cripps was presented with a plaque by Carlton CEO Brian Cook.  

The former also accepted Docherty’s Life Membership award on behalf of his teammate and great friend, who was recovering from the knee injury sustained during the Club’s Opening Round match against Brisbane.

Life Memberships were also presented to the Club’s former Board member Craig Mathieson and its long and loyal individual sponsor George Tahan. 

The late Harold Mitchell, a significant contributor to Carlton’s off-field fortunes, was posthumously recognised with Carlton Life Membership. 

03:42

Inspirational Docherty wins Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award

Carlton gun Sam Docherty receives the 2023 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

“Patrick and Sam have both led the football club during arguably our most challenging period, and are now relentless in their determination to drive us to where we are striving to be,” Sayers said. 

“It is so fitting that two fantastic footballers, quality people and especially great friends, receive Life Membership of the Carlton Football Club alongside one another. 

“Patrick cares deeply for not just the on-field success we are pursuing, but to make the Carlton Football Club a consistent beacon of high performance, centred around a genuine culture that will live on well into the future – that is the true legacy of a leader and we congratulate Patrick, his wife Monique and the entire Cripps family on his achievement tonight.  

“Many words have been spoken about Sam and what he has given to the Carlton Football Club. Life Members are awarded the honour for not only their longevity but their willingness to make our football club a better place – Sam has certainly done that on and off the field, and we look forward to Sam continuing to inspire us all moving forward. Our congratulations also extend to his wife Natalie, daughter Ruby and the entire Docherty family. 

“We wish to also sincerely congratulate Craig on his Life Membership, after his service to the football club as a Director, as we also extend our gratitude to George and Harold for their support of the Blues over an extended period of time.”