Carlton star Patrick Cripps has been crunched into Brownlow Medal favouritism

Carlton faced a lineball call on who to draft at No. 13 in 2013, with two young guns in the running. In one corner was an exciting forward with the potential to kick bags of goals. In the other was Patrick Cripps.

Patrick Cripps is now favourite for the Brownlow Medal. Picture: AAP Images

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has been hailed as the club’s “Gladiator” figure as the midfield extractor was crunched into Brownlow Medal favouritism.

Housemate Zac Fisher revealed Cripps’ professionalism was contagious and coach Brendon Bolton has repeatedly praised the superstar’s urge to improve his young teammates.

“I’m living with him and he lives a very elite lifestyle and it’s great for me to be in there,” Fisher told the Herald Sun.

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“He came in a bit chubby, I don’t think he’ll mind me saying this, when he got into the club. But he’s really strict on his diet, low carbs, the way he eats is just second to none.

“He’s the Gladiator sort of player and just leads by example from the contest stuff. All of his actions just take us with him.”

The Blues have produced just two Brownlow winners in the past 50 years — Greg Williams (1994) and Chris Judd (2010).

The Western Bulldogs had no answer for Patrick Cripps. Picture: Michael Klein

Carlton faced a lineball call on who to draft at No. 13 in 2013 — Cripps or goalkicker Cameron McCarthy.

While they desperately needed a spearhead, former recruiter Shane Rogers plumped for Cripps because of his added leadership qualities in a decision that has shaped the club’s rebuild.

Cripps is averaging more than 30 disposals for the first time in his career and is ranked No. 1 in the AFL for contested ball.

Fellow West Australian Fisher is also emerging as a potential star as he splits his time between the midfield and forward line.

“He’s got fast feet, so he hunts the loose ball and the hardball really well, and he’s dangerous around goals,” Bolton said.

Cripps urged AFLX captain Jack Riewoldt to draft Fisher into Team Rampage and he was then the winning team’s MVP.

“I like to measure myself on my contested ball when I go inside, because I feel like when I get my contested game going I won’t drift in and out of games,” Fisher said.

“As a young kid that can happen with consistency, and as a forward it’s forward 50m tackles.

“I’ve always played as an inside mid but at the moment I’m happy to be able to go forward and pinch-hit.

“Having a really talented midfield group we can’t fit everyone in so I’m trying to move forward and really adapt my game there, but a 50-50 balance would be good.”

Patrick Cripps is now favourite for the Brownlow Medal. Picture: Michael Klein

Sam Walsh broke the club’s run of 59 games without kicking 100 points with his goal in the siren on Sunday and Fisher said the No. 1 pick was already driving high standards.

“I did know (we needed a goal to hit 100 points), and it couldn’t have been kicked by anyone better than Walshy, and on the siren. So that was awesome.

“He has a great hunger to learn and I think he’s been a real driving factor of even us other kids to push us along as well.

“(Bolton) told us to enjoy it for the next 24 hours. We’ve had some dark times — we can’t get ahead of ourselves — but we can have a smile around the club.”

Originally published as Carlton star Patrick Cripps has been crunched into Brownlow Medal favouritism