THE ENERGY is flowing at IKON Park.

Captain Patrick Cripps said he could feel the energy around the Club shift as they look to maintain stability and motivation within the group.

With the pre-Christmas training block in full swing, the team will have a short break before returning in January.

Speaking at a press conference where Carlton announced Ampol as a Platinum partner, Cripps said connection and stability both on and off the field was fuelling the Blues.

“I feel like the whole energy around the Club is definitely going forward together and I think when you do get a taste of it, it really drives you to keep going,” Cripps said. 

"We’re a group that has stayed together for a long period of time now, so we’re still trying to find ways to keep levelling up a bit.”

The Blues aren't resting on their laurels with last season's deep foray into September action, but it is also the driver behind the determination and intensity that the pre-season is bringing. 

Cripps admits that there is work to do, but the foundation is there for the team to have a strong 2024 season provided they stay humble and stay hungry.

“To get so close last year drives that motivation – we feel like we still have a lot of natural development left in this group,” he said.

“The leadership group is still growing as well and the core of our group that hasn’t hit their peak yet is really exciting.”

Heading into a third consecutive pre-season with a consistent coaching, high performance and playing group, Cripps noted there are no questions about standards or expectations walking in on day one.

Having clear messaging over the last two years, along with training habits and behaviours around the Club, the captain lauded the culture that has been built that revolves around high performance. 

“We’ve had two years now of everything stable off-field: the coaching group has been really stable, so we’re coming into an environment that on day one of pre-season, it’s not like the first day of school,” he said. 

“You just know what to expect, the standards have been set and we feel like it’s flowed on from last season.”

While senior players weren’t expected back as early as the younger ones, Cripps said it was an unspoken commitment to come back and train as soon as possible.

A testament to the culture, attitude and environment at IKON Park, Cripps was adamant that getting to work and playing footy is the top priority for the entire group.

“I think the guys were just eager to come back: it wasn't a set thing, the guys got a bit bored sitting at home and they came in. It just shows we’ve created a culture where the standards are high and we feel like we have a lot of depth so the competition for spots is high,” he said. 

“When we were kids, we loved the community feel, so although we’re at the highest level now, we’re trying to create that here and make sure people belong and really love their time here.”