How a midfielder broke records to become a dual Brownlow Medallist

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Patrick Cripps has transformed from a teenage prodigy into one of the most decorated players in Carlton history. From winning the club's best and fairest as a teenager to setting new benchmarks for contested possessions, his career is a masterclass in elite midfield dominance and leadership.

Born in Perth and raised in the farming town of Northampton, Western Australia, Cripps entered the AFL via the 2013 National Draft as the 13th overall selection. Standing 195 cm tall, he quickly distinguished himself as a powerful inside midfielder. His ability to win clearances through handpassing drew early comparisons to Hall of Famer Greg Williams. He was recruited by the club using a first-round pick. He also represented Western Australia during the 2013 AFL Under-18 Championships.

His rise was rapid. In 2015, he became the second-youngest player to win the John Nicholls Medal, Carlton's best and fairest award. He continued this momentum into 2018, when he broke the league record for contested possessions in a single season with 388, surpassing the previous benchmark of 386 set by Patrick Dangerfield. In his second year, he finished eighth in the league for contested possessions. He also earned significant praise for his attacking use of the handball.

Cripps' leadership has been a cornerstone of the Carlton Football Club. He served as co-captain from 2019 to 2021 and has held the role of sole captain since the 2022 season. His individual accolades include four All-Australian selections (2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024) and two Brownlow Medals. Before his sole captaincy, he shared the role with Sam Docherty. He also won the Leigh Matthews Trophy in 2019.

His 2024 season was particularly historic. He secured his second Brownlow Medal with 45 votes, the highest tally ever recorded under the three-vote system until Nick Daicos achieved 47 votes in 2026. During that same year, he secured his fifth John Nicholls Medal, matching the record set by the award's namesake, John Nicholls. He also finished as the runner-up for the AFL Coaches Association's Champion Player award. Additionally, he was named as the vice-captain for the 2024 All-Australian team.

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