“IT’S SOMETHING that will live with you forever.”

Pride. Jubilation. Gratitude.

They were the three endearing features of Patrick Cripps the morning after his historic 2022 Brownlow Medal triumph.

Joining just a handful of other Blues in winning the AFL’s highest individual accolade, 75 years after Bert Deacon was the first to do so for Carlton, the sense of occasion wasn’t lost on the inspirational captain.

For someone who has already enjoyed his fair share of personal honours, it was clear that the Brownlow Medal was one which he held in the highest esteem.

“I suppose the Brownlow is one of those awards that is broadcast on the biggest stage. It wasn’t for me, but more for people that have helped me along the way,” Cripps said.

“To get up there [last night] and speak as the winner, it’s crazy. 

“It’s something that makes me proud, makes my family proud, makes the Club proud and most important it makes my hometown proud.”

Channel 7’s broadcast of the Brownlow Medal count began with looking at the origin stories of a ‘super six’ — and the count was very much super.

With just five votes separating those six names come the end of the night, it was one of the closest counts in recent memory, and it took until the very last game of the season for Cripps to officially take ‘Charlie’ home.

The Northampton connection - and the lessons he learned from his mum and dad in his formative years - weren’t lost on Cripps.

“The people at the table tonight were cheering me on, but there would’ve been a lot more people at home cheering me on. It’s that pride, to represent them and represent my family,” he said.

“My parents went through some really tough times when I was young, but I wouldn’t have known any different because they just rocked up and were the same people to me.

“I’ve always been a big family man, and my partner Mon and my family have been a big reason for where I am now — plus my town back in Northampton. I owe a lot to them.”

Almost instantly after winning the award, Cripps was reminiscing back on a much simpler time. Memories flooded back of the 10-year-old kid, who adored the West Coast Eagles which were spearheaded by two Brownlow Medallists.

The prospect of now being able to call them counterparts - and even text message contemporaries - seemed a world away then, and it’s a reality which he was still coming to grips with the morning after the night before.

“I grew up idolising ‘Juddy’ and Benny Cousins: I got a message from the both of them tonight,” he said.

“It’s a weird feeling: I still feel like I’m that 10-year-old kid just loving footy, and now all of a sudden, I’m in their shoes in a way. 

“I’ve got young Carlton supporters looking up to me, and that’s pretty special.”

Despite the wait, there was a sense of fate when the vote count was approaching its final stages and Cripps was in touching distance. He knew he performed strongly in that heartbreaking last game of the season against Collingwood, and the umpires saw fit.

But earlier in the night, it was a much different story. And he thought he had run his race before it even began.

There may have even been a thinly veiled threat towards midfield partner Adam Cerra, who was also viewed as a big vote chance in the opening game of the season… but not at the three-vote expense of his captain.

“After Round 1, when I got one vote, I was like ‘I think I’m done here, I thought I’d get the three’,” he said.

“I wanted to get him in a headlock and belt him… I’m not going to lie, after Round 1, I thought I was in strife.

“I knew if I was close with the last five rounds, I was a chance… when I got the three against Adelaide, I was like ‘I’m a big chance here’. In the last round when all the cameras and photographers started surrounding me, I remember looking at Mon and going ‘I think I’m going to win it here’.

“She told me not to jinx myself.”

The jinx was nowhere to be seen, as the Crowd Palladium joined in a standing ovation while thousands of Carlton supporters at home similarly toasted their outstanding skipper.

It may be the most stereotypical and cliche answer after anyone wins one of these awards, but addressing the Bluebagger faithful, you just felt this answer coming from Cripps was as genuine as it gets.

“As much as tonight is a special moment for myself, there’s nothing more I’d love than in 20 years’ time to be talking about a premiership reunion. That’s what you play footy for.

“[The supporters] are the heartbeat of the Club. As much as you give to the Club, you get so much more back… we’ve got to do everything we can to repay the faith.

“One thing I’m really confident about is we’ve got the coaches, the list and the environment to - in the next five, six or seven years when I’m still around - have a good chance to make history.”