Patrick Cripps | 2021 Season Review

Written by Ari Stamatakos

SEASON SYNOPSIS

It was all set for him to explode. After an underwhelming 2020, Crippa was ready to have a season, a kindled to his 2019 one, where he finished equal third in the Brownlow. He had put the muscle back on, and now with nothing stopping Walsh - not even second season syndrome - from becoming an elite midfielder, he had the help he needed and was primed to lead the Blues into September. He started, okay, without setting the house on fire in his opening two games. And after a very good match against the Dockers, the wheels fell off. He didn’t have another 30+ possession game after that, his leadership came under question and reports came out that he was playing under a massive injury cloud in the early part of the season. (all be it not his fault that he was injured, but you do have to question, would you rather have a 40% Patrick Cripps, or a 100% Will Setterfield) 

He changed the style of his game halfway through the year and went back to his root. After a dismal 15 possession game against the Doggies, he had back-to-back 10 tackle games after round 8 and went on to have 3 games with 5 or more tackles for the remainder of the season. In his final game, he was subbed out at halftime with 17 handballs and no kicks against the Giants, a true indictment of how far deep Cripps had to go to get back to some good footy. It was no doubt that it was an underwhelming season for the co-captain and proved to be a sad indictment of how the Blues 2021 went. 

BEST PERFORMANCE

Cripps hadn’t found his best form early in the year. As the first two rounds were below par on the Cripps spectrum of performances. He failed to lead the team and perform on the two biggest stages, so he needed to step up against a midfield which he should be able to get on top of and bully. It was all set up for him to have a day out and lead the Blues to their first win of the season. 

And the day out he was supposed to have, happened. He had 34 disposals, 2 goals, 10 score involvements, 6 marks and 11 clearances. He led a midfield who dominated on the day, winning the clearances count 43-29. This was the performance in which we have come to see from Cripps regularly, and many thought that this was going to kick him on and be the catalyst for the potential Brownlow year in which was predicted by some in the pre-season. His 2 goals as well showed an improvement from his deplorable set shot kicking last year, giving more hope to Blues fans that Crippa had addressed his issues and was ready for a return to his best form in 2021. 

OFF-SEASON & 2021 OUTLOOK

He’s signed for 6 years. So, there is no worry about losing him for nothing or him wanting to return home. He has stated that he is committed to the Blues and will do everything to get us back to where he belongs. He has struggled with injures in his recent 2 seasons, which has clearly hampered his development and his ability to perform at the elite level. He has still shown those signs of 2019 Crippa and now, he has help. Walsh - and potentially Cerra - is there to lift the burden of him and get him back playing that heavily contested, tackle and clearances focused game. 

Now he has Walsh to be the accumulator for him, he is not expected to have 30+ every game. He made his name off this ferocious tackling and high-intensity game on the inside, and this compliments his size beautifully. With (at the time of writing) Ross Lyons being the favourite for the vacant coaching role, this slow, contest heavy game will suit Cripps to a tea. As well as the heavy defensive pressure, Lyon will demand will push the pressure on Cripps, not only as a midfielder but as a leader as well, which should bring the best of our captain.  

2021 REPORT CARD RATING

D

STATUS HEADING INTO 2022 

Star Player