Durable Collingwood defender Jack Crisp eyes club record for consecutive AFL games played
He has not missed a game since 2014 and played through finals last year with a dodgy hip and stress fracture in his back. Now Magpie Jack Crisp has an elusive record in his sights.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Collingwood medical staff could only dream of having more Jack Crisps on the club’s list.
The Magpies have had as many injury issues as any club over the past two years, but Crisp has gained a reputation as Mr Durable.
Remarkably, the defender will play his 121st consecutive AFL game against Geelong on Friday night, a streak that dates back to Round 18, 2014.
It is the biggest streak of any current player in the AFL, but Crisp wants more.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SACKED PODCAST
There are some records in his sights — namely that of Collingwood academy coach Tarkyn Lockyer who played 136 consecutive games for the Magpies from 2004-2010.
“People (at the club) know how many consecutive games I’ve played. I’m really proud of it so I’ll talk about it sometimes as well,” Crisp said.
“I’ve told ‘Tarks’ I’m coming for his record of 136.
“I thank mum and dad for some good genes but also the fitness and medical staff here. They do a pretty good job. I’m always in good conversations about how I’m feeling and have good relationships and you can say you need a bit of a de-load this week or you a bit lighter training session. So I feel like I’ve been really well managed but I also have a lot of confidence in my body to get through anything and pull up really well.”
Stream every match of the 2019 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
This time last year, Crisp feared his streak could come to an end just shy of three-figures.
He carried a left hip injury throughout the year and hurt his lower back in the Magpies’ first final, playing through the four games in September with what was later diagnosed as a stress fracture.
“I could only just get up to play because it hurt to move and bend over and stuff like that,” Crisp said.
“The medical staff just said, ‘You’re durable, you’ll be right’.
“But I’m glad I did play. I wouldn’t want to miss it (finals) for the world. It was just such an unreal experience and I’m glad I get to do it all again.”
Crisp hasn’t watched a replay of last year’s heartbreaking five-point Grand Final loss West Coast and doesn’t “plan on doing it anytime soon”.
When Hawthorn overcame West Coast in Round 23 to ensure Collingwood finished top-four, Crisp didn’t know what to think as he was enjoying a round of mini-golf at Holy Moley.
“All the guys were watching it so as soon as Hawthorn was winning everyone was flicking messages around — ‘Beautiful’, ‘Top four’, ‘Super excited’. It was a really good result,” Crisp said.
“I had a lot of people from back home (in Myrtleford) message me too saying it was the hardest they’d ever barracked for Hawthorn and I said ‘I hate West Coast more’ after last year. But it was really exciting.”
Long labelled the ‘steak knives’ in the trade that landed Dayne Beams at Brisbane, former Lion Crisp is confident he has now well and truly shaken that unwanted tag.
His 2019 season has arguably been a career-best one and Crisp ranks elite in his position for disposals, averaging 26.2 touches a game as well as 377 metres gained and 6.5 intercept possessions.
The 25-year-old also ranks as an elite pressure player and has lost just 11.1 per cent of his one-on-one contests this year.
“I am a bit sick of it,” Crisp said of the steak knives conversation.
“I feel like I’ve made a good name for myself now with how I play football. I’ve had a good career. But if people still refer to me as steak knives, so be it. I can’t change it.”
Ahead of a qualifying final with Geelong at the MCG on Friday night, Crisp said the Magpies were feeling in better form and had greater confidence than this time last year and after arresting a mid-season form slump to win their final four games.
“Last year we won three games in a row (before finals) but we were a bit shaky. A couple we just got over the line,” Crisp said.
“But the last four we’ve won we’ve felt really strong and we’ve built a lot of momentum, especially after the bye where we were a bit flat for five weeks.
“We’re ready to put our best foot forward and play some good footy.”
MORE NEWS:
Collingwood star Dayne Beams admitted to hospital
Collingwood to regain injured pair Steele Sidebottom and Jordan De Goey for qualifying final
Collingwood most consecutive games played:
Jock McHale 191
Darren Jolly 142*
Tarkyn Lockyer 136
Dane Swan 121
Jack Crisp 120
*Started streak with Sydney
Current AFL players consecutive games played
Jack Crisp 120
George Hewett (Syd) 83
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Ess) 77
Clayton Oliver (Melb) 69
Ben Brown (NM) 69
Originally published as Durable Collingwood defender Jack Crisp eyes club record for consecutive AFL games played
The players that made Robbo want to do a top 57
The hardest spot to pick in the top 50 isn’t No.1. It’s actually No.50. Robbo names the players he wanted to fit into his annual list – but couldn’t.
Max’s Metrics: Numbers behind stars Saint’s staggering contract
Max King has signed an eye-boggling new contract after the Saints lined his numbers up against past greats. They liked what they saw and here is how the spearhead compares to 12 others.