Young gun Patrick Cripps has capped a breakout season by winning Carlton’s best and fairest - the John Nicholls Medal.
Cripps finished this evening’s count at Crown Palladium on 68 votes, narrowly ahead of captain Marc Murphy (67 votes) and defender Zach Tuohy (64 votes).
The award comes on the back of Cripps finishing runner-up in the NAB AFL Rising Star last week.
Since being recruited to Carlton with a first round selection in the 2013 National Draft, Cripps has played a total of 23 AFL games.
In just his second season of AFL football the 20-year-old has been a standout in the Blues midfield averaging 23.6 disposals and 6.65 clearances. He finished the home and away season ranked 8th overall in the league for contested possessions with an average of 13.7 per game.
Patrick Cripps with the 2015 John Nicholls Medal. (Photo: Carlton Football Club)
Carlton’s Head of Football Andrew McKay says Cripps has been a shining light for the team this season.
“The season Patrick has had is testament to his relentless hard work and determination to improve, so full credit to him for winning the John Nicholls Medal in just his second year at the club,” McKay said.
“It’s well documented that in the off season he went away and hired his own running coach and returned at the end of pre-season fitter, stronger and with the kind of attitude that we just knew he would be in for a big year.
“The way Patrick has gone about it, and the leadership he has shown along the way, makes him a real role model to the other young players in our team.
“We know he has a big future and we look forward to him wearing the navy blue jumper for a long time to come.
Cripps also took out the Hyundai MVP Award as voted by the fans, and the Inner Blue Ruthless Award for demonstrating a selfless commitment and having a significant influence on the outcome of games.
VIDEO: Cripps speaks exclusively to CFC TV after winning the John Nicholls Medal
Cripps' Stats
DOB: 18 March 1995
AFL Games: 23
Goals: 6
Debut: Round 4, 2014 v Melbourne
Recruited: First round selection (No. 13 overall) 2013 National Draft
Guernsey No. 9
Carlton Player No. 1151
Career Highlights
2015 John Nicholls Medal
2015 Rising Star Runner Up
2015 Chris Judd Academy Award
2015 John Nicholls Medal Top 10:
1 Patrick Cripps 68 votes
2 Marc Murphy 67 votes
3 Zach Tuohy 64 votes
=4 Tom Bell 57 votes
=4 Ed Curnow 57 votes
6 Sam Docherty 48 votes
7 Kade Simpson 45 votes
8 Andrejs Everitt 37 votes
9 Simon White 35 votes
10 Andrew Carrazzo 23 votes
Runner-up Marc Murphy. (Photo: Carlton Football Club)
Other award winners on the night include:
Best First Year Player – Blaine Boekhorst
VIDEO: Boekhorst speaks to CFC TV after winning the award
Best Clubman – Simon White
· The Best Clubman award recognises the significant contribution a player has made to the Carlton Football Club, particularly with his role in the playing group.
VIDEO: Simon White speaks to CFC TV about his award
Carltonians High Achievement Award – Tom Bell
· The High Achievement Award is presented in recognition of an outstanding season.
Blues Coterie Most Improved – Patrick Cripps
Inner Blue Ruthless Award – Patrick Cripps
· The Ruthless Award is presented to a player who displays selfless commitment and has a significant influence on the outcome of games.
Spirit of Carlton Award – Ed Curnow
· Presented to the player who encompasses the spirit of the Carlton Football Club on and off the field.
Women of Carlton Player Ambassador Award – Kade Simpson
· The Player Ambassador Award recognises a player who contributes in a significant way to the wider community.
Hyundai MVP Award (voted by the fans) – Patrick Cripps
