PHYSICAL specimen.

The words used by assistant coach Cameron Bruce to describe Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps.

Unsurprisingly, the 24-year-old is enjoying another outstanding season playing as the on and off-field leader of the Blues’ midfield group.

Last week’s win over the Crows served as another strong reminder of what Cripps is capable of, as he dominated through the centre to finish with a career-high 39 disposals, 24 contested possessions and a goal. 

However, his most impressive feat was a personal best 19 clearances – missing out on Paul Salmon’s AFL record by just three.

For Bruce, the man behind the Blues’ midfield, the results that Cripps is seeing on the field are not all too surprising.

“The other thing that our supporters and people outside don’t see, is the attention to detail and the work that he puts in preparing himself each week,” Bruce told the team from 91.3 SportFM in Perth. 

“It’s not just through his physical stature that gets him the ball and puts him in those positions, it’s a process in which he educates himself and learns throughout the week, and prepares himself to be able to execute on game day.

“It’s by no fluke that he’s achieving what he is.”  

There was a brief pause in Cripps’ momentum this year after a foot complaint saw him miss two games, including the heroic win against Fremantle at Optus Stadium. 

The Blues’ midfield, which has often come under external scrutiny for its reliance on Cripps, was able to show how much it has progressed as a unit in his absence – something Bruce believes Cripps would have enjoyed seeing from the stands. 

“Those few games were quite refreshing for him to miss, and see the Club and the team perform well without him,” Bruce said.

“There’s obviously been a lot of commentary about the so-called reliance on him at our club. It’s a great sign of our progression that we’re able to win games... without Crippa and perform well without him. 

“That gives him great belief and a little bit of a spring in his step.”

Carlton’s midfielders will have their work cut out for them when the team takes on reigning premiers West Coast this Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

With Cripps expected to go head-to-head with another giant of the game in Elliot Yeo, Bruce believes it will fall on the midfield group as a whole to once again step-up to compete on the day. 

“Whenever you’re dealing with the Eagles, you know you’ve got to be on top of your game,” Bruce said. 

“They’ve got so much strength in each line, obviously the midfield battle is so important in every game you play. It really determines where the ball is played, and we want to play the game in our forward half.

“It’s going to be crucial that we get first use to our forwards.”