“YOU’VE got guys like Fyfe, Dangerfield and Neale at the top of their games. But if you had to pick one, and it’s a bloody hard pick, I’d be picking Cripps.”

Patrick Cripps joined Carlton royalty when he became the fourth Blue to be named the AFLPA MVP.

Joining Greg Williams, Anthony Koutoufides and Chris Judd, Cripps added the peer-awarded honour to a 2019 collection that also included a second consecutive selection as an All Australian.

Having taken on a mentoring role with Cripps at Ikon Park this season, Williams was full of praise for Carlton’s co-captain speaking to the AFL Players website.

“There’s a lot of pressure on guys like him and Nat Fyfe and Lachie Neale,” Williams said.

“You’ve got to be able to do it every week. 

“It’s not easy being a champion.”

Over the course of the season, Cripps was ranked No.1 in the competition for clearances per game, while also coming in second (behind Fyfe) for contested possessions per game.

Williams said his stoppage work - which he described as “as good as any in the League” - came on the back of his desire to be the best.

“Patrick is a monster,” he said.

“A lot of players do basic practice, but it’s just not going to get them to the level that they need to get to: Patty wants to take things to that next level.

“He’s played some games this year that are as good as anyone’s played.”

Williams detailed the work he has been doing with Cripps in 2019, as well as his expectations for the No.9 going forward. For the full article, click here.