YESTERDAY, we started looking at some of the greatest Western Australians to pull on the Navy Blue jumper.

It’s a rich footballing state which has supplied the Blues with just as rich a history over the years.

So while we go through the archives over the next few weeks and look at Carlton’s best WA Blues, it’s time to look at the talented current crop.

Patrick Cripps:  

The fearless leader and co-captain of the Blues was born in Perth, but moved to Northampton at a young age: some 400kms away from Perth. 

Cripps played his formative football in the small farming town of Northampton before moving back to Perth to play in the WAFL for East Fremantle Football Club. 

A true leader at a young age, Cripps was vice-captain in the 2013 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, before being selected by Carlton at pick No.13 in the National Draft that year. 

Cripps has played 109 games for the Blues and has made it clear that Carlton is his home: he became Carlton’s fourth WA skipper - joining premiership captains Brighton Diggins, Ern Henfry and Mike Fitzpatrick - when appointed alongside Sam Docherty.

Zac Fisher: 

Born in York, Zac Fisher made his football start at the York Roos, before moving to Perth for secondary school: he was quick to be dubbed ‘The Prince of York’ when arriving in the AFL system.

At the NAB AFL Under-18 championships, Fisher averaged 21 disposals, three marks and five tackles over his four games and won Western Australia’s Most Valuable Player Award as well as selection in the All Australian team. 

Fisher went at pick No.27 in the NAB AFL Draft and made an instant impact to the Blues’ side, playing 17 games each in his first two seasons. 

Fisher’s speed and clean hands have been a huge asset to Carlton, seeing the zippy midfielder play 56 games in his four seasons so far.

Jack Martin: 

Born and raised in Western Australia, Jack Martin was born in Broome and moved to Geraldton at the age of 12. 

Martin debuted in the senior Great Northern Football League at just 15 and was touted as one of the country’s most outstanding junior talents from a young age.

Martin impressed in the WAFL for Claremont, and was selected first by Gold Coast in the 2012 mini draft: as a 17-year-old, he wasn’t able to make his debut until 2014.

Martin proved to be handy forward of centre at the Suns while averaging 16 disposals a game, providing pace and class that he has shown early at his time with the Blues.

After a much publicised trade request to the Blues was delayed, Martin ended up at Carlton in the 2019 pre-season draft: he has played every game for the Blues this season and has been of the team’s star performers. 

Mitch McGovern: 

Mitch McGovern has always had football in his blood, with his father playing 83 games for Sydney and Fremantle during the ‘90s. 

Another Claremont boy, McGovern was drafted in 2014 by Adelaide at pick No.43 as a 20-year-old.

McGovern was a key cog of the Adelaide forward line overseen by David Teague, kicking 67 goals from 48 games at the Crows.

Despite double ankle surgery delaying his progress when arriving at Ikon Park, McGovern has kicked 30 goals from his 24 games in Navy Blue and continues to grow chemistry with Levi Casboult and Harry McKay by the week.

Often cited by Teague for his role in the forward line, McGovern is ranked in the top five in the AFL for goal assists.

Sam Petrevski- Seton: 

Growing up in the remote town of Halls Creek, Sam Petrevski-Seton played his junior football for the East Kimberley Football Association. 

Petrevski-Seton moved to Perth at the age of 15 for school, playing for Claremont while in Perth: he made his senior debut in the WAFL at the age of 17. Later that year, he would make his way to Carlton at pick No.6 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft.

Petrevski-Seton was nominated for the Rising Star in 2017 and was named the Club’s best first year player. He has currently played 60 consecutive games: the most of any Blue, and the eighth-most in the competition.

Nicknamed ‘Cowboy’ by his teammates, Petrevski-Seton has proven his wares in a relatively new role at half back, combining his ability to intercept with his outstanding ball use.