“THAT’S the growth of the group, but we still feel like we’ve got so much left in us.”
Since arriving at Carlton prior to the 2014 season, Patrick Cripps had only ever enjoyed three wins in the opening three rounds of the season. It was a strike rate of 12.5 per cent.
However, after a gripping one-point victory over the Hawks, the Blues have maintained their 100 per cent record so far in the 2022 campaign.
Having fought back against Richmond, weathering a Western Bulldogs storm and responding to a late Hawthorn lead, the most pleasing thing for the captain has been the manner in which Carlton has recorded a victory in each of its 2022 hitouts.
Speaking to ABC Grandstand post-match, Cripps said the victory displayed the character of the group.
“We’ve been challenged in every game and we’ve held strong and found a way to win,” Cripps said.
“We’ll keep growing. We’ll bank the four points and keep moving forward.
“To stand up late and get the win shows the growth of the group.”
This is what the three-time John Nicholls Medallist had to say.
On the biggest positive so far in 2022:
“The contested brand we’re playing and connected defence.
“The best thing is we had guys go out, guys miss with Covid, we’ve had coaches miss with Covid, but we talk about next man up. Lewis Young and Jordan Boyd came in today and played an awesome role to fill in for Adam Saad and a few of the backs.”
On the Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay partnership:
“It’s a mid’s dream.
“The way Charlie was launching at the ball, it’s so good to see him back — he came back last year, but he’s definitely jumping at the ball with confidence. He was on early.
“The way [Curnow and McKay] compete and bring the ball to ground gives the smalls a chance but also straightens us up when we go forward. They’ve only played a handful of games together, so there’s a fair bit of growth with that as well.”
On dealing with momentum swings:
“It’s pleasing to stand up. With the 6-6-6, there’s always going to be momentum shifts.
“The comp is so even and you respect every opposition that you come up against. It was nice to start well and get a lead, but we knew they were going to come back.
“For them to hit the front but us to bounce back and get over the line late, it shows the growth of the group.”
On Matthew Kennedy:
“‘Chugga’, ‘Bam Bam’, he’s got a few nicknames going around.
“He’s one of the best blokes at the Club, he gives us energy and he’s tough. It’s good to see him play with confidence and creativity.
“He has strung a lot of good games together now and he adds a point of difference with his aerial stuff. Along with the other mids, I feel like we’re complementing each other well.”
And responding to a Marc Murphy question, who was in the ABC Grandstand broadcast box:
“Well done on the lap of honour and a great career, ‘Murph’: it was a good way to send you off, it was tough last year with Covid.
“Everything you’ve done for the Club and this group, we really appreciate it and it was a great way to send you off.”
