CARLTON captain Patrick Cripps has been rewarded for an outstanding individual season, winning the 2022 Brownlow Medal in one of the most dramatic vote counts in memory.

Cripps was crowned the 2022 Brownlow Medallist with 29 votes, polling three votes in the final round to finish just one vote ahead of Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale.

Cripps joins an exclusive list that now stands at six Carlton players to have won the Brownlow Medal including; Bert Deacon (1947), John James (1961), Gordon Collis (1964), Greg Williams (1994) and Chris Judd (2010).

The skipper only missed one game this year, and was prolific in the midfield, especially in the early rounds of the season where he had six 30-plus disposal performances in his first seven games.

Seven best-on-ground performances, including five from his first seven games of the year saw the Carlton champion rightly take his place in AFL history.

This latest accolade comes after the 27-year-old was named vice captain of the AFL All-Australian team last month.

It caps a stellar season for Cripps who had arguably the best year of his career to date after averaging over 28 disposals per game – including a career-high 41 during the Round 20 game against Adelaide – 15.3 contested possessions, 7.8 clearances, as well as kicking 20 goals for the first time.  

He was appointed co-captain of Carlton at the end of 2018 and stepped into the sole captaincy ahead of the 2022 season – leading by example and driving standards both on and off the field. 

AFL Senior Coach and fellow Brownlow Medallist Michael Voss said Cripps should feel an immense sense of pride in being recognised as the league’s Best and Fairest player. 

“Patrick embodies all the values we look for in a leader and I speak on behalf of the whole Club in congratulating our captain on this honour,” Voss said. 

“He is the ultimate team player and leads not just the midfield but the entire team with incredible passion and is determined to achieve team success. 

“He stepped up as standalone skipper this season and has been at the forefront of instilling change, driving high standards and embracing a new environment at the club. 

“His connection with everyone at the club is to be admired – from the football department, admin staff, players, and coaches – he is driving our culture from the front and is a great example of a strong leader. 

“Patrick had a stellar season, and it is fitting that he has been recognised with our game’s most prestigious individual award. 

“Being the selfless leader that he is, his sole focus is team success, but he now deserves the time to look back on his individual season and reflect on this incredible achievement.”