GOOD luck.
You've now got the chance to vote for your favourite Patrick Cripps memory leading into his 250th game for Carlton.
And there's plenty to pick from.
Whether it's a statement showing when Cripps came of age, to a match-winning performance, to making Carlton Brownlow and best-and-fairest history, there are 16 moments to pick from before whittling it down to THE iconic Patrick Cripps moment.
Aptly, it's a choice of 16 which was Cripps' first number at Carlton, which he wore for his first three games in 2014 before switching to his iconic No.9 after his debut season.
Round 4, 2015 v St Kilda - A star on the rise
The history books will state that Patrick Cripps announced himself to the AFL competition in… New Zealand. Making the trip across the ditch in April 2015, Cripps kicked his first goal, had 30+ disposals for the first time and was rewarded with the AFL Rising Star nomination.
Round 12, 2015 v Port Adelaide- First three-vote performance
“Carlton, P.Cripps, three votes”. It’s a phrase that has been uttered 40 times (so far) on Brownlow Medal night, and the very first time came in June of 2015. Cripps willed the Blues to a four-point win in a clear best-on-ground performance, in Carlton’s first game following the retirement of Chris Judd.
September 2015 - The second-youngest John Nicholls Medallist
In the same week he placed second in the AFL Rising Star, Cripps received the first of many individual awards he would acquire over the years. Overtaking skipper Marc Murphy in the final round of the season, Cripps won the 2015 John Nicholls Medal by a solitary vote.
October 2018 - Announced as Carlton co-captain
A standout for the Blues in some lean years, the passing of the torch came on John Nicholls Medal night in 2018 when Marc Murphy handed over the captaincy reins to both Cripps and Sam Docherty. Since then, Cripps has been one of Carlton’s most iconic captains, leading the Blues into 176 games as skipper as things stand.
Round 12, 2019 v Brisbane - Captain Fantastic at Marvel Stadium
It remains one of the most iconic games - if not THE most - that Cripps has produced. After a week which saw Carlton part ways with Brendon Bolton, Cripps almost pulled out of the game with Brisbane… instead, he found a way to inspire his team to a breakthrough win with 38 disposals and a career-best four goals.
Round 19, 2019 v Adelaide - The Carlton clearance record
Cripps has rewritten the AFL history books when it comes to clearances, and his best day came against the Crows. Fittingly in Round 19, 2019, Cripps produced 19 clearances, which at the time was the second-most ever in an AFL game and to this day remains a Carlton record. He even fended off Sam Walsh for a clearance goal in the first term.
Round 17, 2020 v Adelaide - “Mesmerising” solo goal
As Carlton’s team in the Gold Coast hub of 2020 was coming to an end, Cripps gave Carlton fans something to shout about when the Blues met the Crows at Metricon Stadium. Spinning through three Crows players and retrieving the ball behind his back, Cripps produced a one-two with Eddie Betts, ran 14.9999999* metres and kicked a running goal from 50.
Round 1, 2022 v Richmond - Inspires drought-breaking win
In his first game as solo captain, Cripps delivered. The Blues hadn’t won against Richmond since the 2013 elimination final - two months before Cripps became a Blue - but the skipper made sure the streak wouldn’t continue. His three-goal showing was a clear best-on-ground performance… until Brownlow night saw Adam Cerra receive maximum votes. But we’ll get to that.
Round 23, 2022 v Collingwood - Incredible individual performance
Sorry for the trigger warning, Bluebaggers. It was one of the more difficult days when the Pies beat the Blues by a solitary point to end Carlton’s season, but it also happened to be one of Cripps’ strongest individual performances. With 35 disposals and 12 clearances, Cripps’ three votes in the final game of the season led to…
September 2022 - Wins first Brownlow Medal
The boy from Northampton became the sixth player to win a Brownlow Medal in Navy Blue, joining Bert Deacon, John James, Gordon Collis, Greg Williams and Chris Judd. Cripps wasn’t to be denied, registering 16 votes from the first seven rounds before coming from behind on the last day of the season.
2023 elimination final v Sydney - Finals footy
You couldn’t wipe the smile off of Cripps’ face in September of 2023. With the Blues returning to finals for the first time in 10 years, Cripps had a long-awaited first crack at finals football, with his best moment against Sydney coming in the third term. As the Swans began to rally, Cripps producing a holding-the-ball tackle and set shot goal, turning to the stands where over 92,000 people packed into the MCG.
Gather Round, 2024 v Fremantle - Rocking the baby for Koda
His go-to celebration is generally a flex towards the crowd, but Cripps made the exception in April 2024 when the Blues headed to Adelaide for Gather Round. Kicking a goal in the first quarter, Cripps rocked the baby following the birth of baby daughter Koda, with Anthony Hudson saying on commentary “There’s one for bubs!”
Round 18, 2024 v Western Bulldogs - A 200th special
Cripps was in rare form in the middle of the 2024 season. On the eve of reaching his double century of games in Navy Blue, Cripps had 40-plus disposals against Geelong and Richmond, and his 200th game saw him continue that form. Going head to head with Marcus Bontempelli, Cripps’ second-quarter goal had Blues fans in raptures.
September 2024 - Breaks Brownlow record in second win
Leading into Brownlow night on 2024, the record amount of votes in a season was 36 - set by winners Dustin Martin (2017) and Ollie Wines (2021). Cripps entered the night as one of the favourites for the medal, and ended it with the most votes in a single season, on the back of 12 three-vote showings. In the process, he became the first Carlton player to win two Brownlow Medals in Navy Blue.
October 2024 - Equals John Nicholls Medal record with fifth win
Nine years after becoming the second-youngest John Nicholls Medallist - behind only the award’s namesake - Cripps further entered the Blue best-and-fairest history books in 2024. On the back of his record-breaking Brownlow campaign, it was no surprise that Cripps was ultimately awarded with his fifth John Nicholls Medal, tying with ‘Big Nick’ and going one ahead of the iconic Bruce Doull.
Round 12, 2026 v Geelong - “He has put the cape on!”
In any level of football, Cripps had never kicked the match-winning goal - that was until the 2026 Carlton Respects Game against Geelong. After a back-and-forth four quarters, Cripps continued Carlton’s rejuvenation when he took a contested mark and snapped truly, prompting a Carlton roar for the ages as the Blues hit the front with minutes to spare. Cripps’ reaction - both post-goal and post-siren - said it all.
