A record-breaking Patrick Cripps has solidified himself as a young star of the game.
Following his 50th AFL encounter on Saturday, Cripps topped the history books* for the most clearances and contested possessions at the half-century mark.
With 352 clearances and 714 contested possessions to his name, the 22-year-old placed well ahead of recent record holder Tom Liberatore, who managed 293 clearances and 568 contested possessions after 50 career games for the Western Bulldogs.
Speaking on the Sunday Footy Show, Cripps attributed his early success to former teammate and Carlton star Chris Judd.
“I had a great mentor in Chris Judd when I first rocked up to the Club,” Cripps said on Sunday.
“When I got drafted he was big on playing to your strengths. In my juniors contested possession and clearance work were my strengths so I really tried to keep developing that.
“He taught me a lot.”
After being selected by the Blues with pick No.13 in the 2013 NAB AFL National Draft, Cripps made his AFL debut in Round 4, 2014 against Melbourne and in 2015 he became the second-youngest player in the Club’s history to be crowned Carlton’s John Nicholls Medallist.
*Since stats were recorded in 1999
MOST CLEARANCES AFTER 50 AFL GAMES:
352 PATRICK CRIPPS
293 Tom Liberatore
286 Sam Mitchell
261 Simon Black
MOST CONTESTED POSSESSIONS AFTER 50 AFL GAMES:
714 PATRICK CRIPPS
568 Tom Liberatore
554 Josh Kennedy SYD
536 Michael Barlow
