CARLTON captain Patrick Cripps hasn’t yet hit the personal form which spearheaded a record-breaking Brownlow Medal win last year, but he’d much rather focus on the Blues’ month ahead.

On the back of two straight wins, the Blues are looking to generate some positive momentum after a slow start to 2025, with a return to the MCG this weekend against North Melbourne the next test for the Blues.

Speaking on AFL360 last night, Cripps was asked about his current individual form, with the captain pointing to his counterparts who have assumed more of the load to create what Cripps believes has been a stronger-performing midfield group.

“There’s two ways I look at it. As a midfield group, I actually feel like we’re going better this year - George Hewett, Adam Cerra and Tom De Koning are in career-best form,” Cripps said.

“There are other guys stepping up. George Hewett and Adam Cerra’s years have been pretty special, and I’d rather be in a team unit that’s going better rather than me dominating and we’re not getting there.

“I’ve played a few little different roles, but I’m at the stage of my career that whatever I can do to help the team win, I’ll do that.”

However, Cripps did put his hand up and say that he wasn’t fully setting the high standards he expects of himself - and there’s no better time to hit those strides than in a defining month ahead for the 6-7 Blues.

Still among the competition’s best for contested possessions, clearances and tackles, Cripps is looking to reclaim the “power” that has defined not only him at his peak, but also when the Blues are at their strongest.

“I hold myself to a pretty high standard, and I feel like I can still level up a bit,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve got a few levels to go. My first quarter on the weekend [10 disposals, six contested possessions] was when I’m at my best, but I haven’t strung a full game together yet.

“My body feels really good, so I’m excited about the month ahead.”

Those conundrum about first quarters versus the rest of the game for Carlton is one the whole football world is asking at the moment, and Cripps admitted he’s also looking for similar answers.

With some key names missing in the weeks to come, Cripps said the Blues needed to bring their best for longer - and everyone has seen what that model looks like.

“I look at it glass half-full - the power we’re playing with at the start of games, we’ve done that all year and we know what our best looks like. If we can bridge that gap, we can do some damage.

“It’s not ideal [Sam Walsh and Harry McKay injuries], especially when you’re playing catch up with the way we started. At the same time, you can’t do much about it - you’ve got to get out there and get on with it.

“It’s a really important stretch for us coming up, and over the years we’ve played some of our best games when our stars have been out. We’ll be up for the challenge.”