The Blues’ young playing list was faced with a number of challenges in 2018, and as a result, finished the year with fewer wins than previous seasons.

However, the valuable experience gained by first and second-year players, coupled with the resilience built within the team, will no doubt hold the Club in good stead for years to come. 

With the side now on a break, we’re analysing each player’s year in statistics. Here’s the review for Carlton’s No. 9, Patrick Cripps. 

GAMES
2018: 22
Career: 81

GOALS
2018: 11
Career: 34

BY THE NUMBERS (averages in brackets)
Disposals: 652 (29.6) Kicks: 259 (11.8) Handballs: 393 (17.9) Clearances: 169 (7.7) Contested possessions: 388 (17.6) Contested marks: 27 (1.2) Inside 50s: 85 (3.9) Tackles: 138 (6.3)

2018 IN FOCUS
Patrick Cripps’ 2018 accolades speak for themselves.

Cripps was the shining light for Carlton this season, stamping himself as one of the premier midfielders across the whole competition.

Still just 23 years of age, his honours included his first All-Australian berth, a second-placed finish in both the AFLCA and AFLPA awards and breaking the contested possessions record for a home-and-away season.

He led the Blues for disposals, tackles, inside 50s, contested possessions and clearances: impressively, he added being a target forward-of-centre to his repertoire (11 goals, 27 contested marks).

In the absence of Marc Murphy, Cripps captained the side for the first time and committed to the Club until 2021.

BEST PERFORMANCE
The midfield bull’s ability to stand up under pressure was displayed multiple times throughout the year. Arguably, his best performance came against West Coast in Round 5.

Despite the Blues going down in a close contest to the second-placed Eagles, Cripps was everywhere as he attempted to will his side over the line.

His 34 disposals (19 contested), 11 tackles and eight clearances was enough to warrant a perfect 10-vote performance in the AFL Coaches award.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT
In the final game of the season, Cripps needed 23 contested possessions to level Patrick Dangerfield’s record in a home-and-away season. He recorded 24.

To go with that, Cripps had 37 disposals and a staggering 17 clearances — the equal-sixth most of all time in a single game. It capped off a phenomenal season for the 23-year-old which was ladened with individual honours.