CARLTON plays in a number of key games throughout the year which are circled on the calendar months out.
There are the typical clashes with Collingwood, King’s Birthday Eve against Essendon and the MCG opener against Richmond just to name a few. But for dual Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps, no game brings a bigger smile to his face than what’s to come.
For the third year, the Blues will play in the Good Friday SuperClash against North Melbourne, raising money for the Royal Children’s Hospital on a day that is bigger than football.
Speaking to AFL360 on Tuesday night, Cripps said that the annual fixture against the Roos holds a special place in his heart.
“It’s probably my favourite fixture of the year,” Cripps said.
“We’ve been lucky as a club that this is our third year against North Melbourne. The whole build-up of the week, we go into the Royal Children’s Hospital and get around to visit some kids, putting smiles on faces.
“The best part of it, which I love, is the start of the game when both teams are forming the guard of honour and all the kids plus support staff run out. For all the hard things and hardship they’ve been through, to see them with a smile is so rewarding. We love playing footy, but it’s a bigger cause on Friday.”
With baby Koda born in April last year, Cripps admitted that there was extra poignance to the landmark fixture this time around.
“Going through the hospital this time, it feels a little bit more real. It’s about the families as well, plus the nurses and the work they do.
“You get a lot of different supporters out there - even in the hospital they give you a bit of slack and a bit of banter, even through a tough time.”
For the second year in a row, Carlton players are auctioning off their own items in support of the Good Friday Appeal, with a number of exclusive experiences and memorabilia on offer.
