Patrick Cripps turns on masterclass Marvel display as teammates laud his selfless approach

With four second-half goals and a game-high 38 disposals, Patrick Cripps willed Carlton to victory over Brisbane Lions in a performance which left his teammates in awe.

Patrick Cripps put on a masterclass in Carlton’s win against Brisbane Lions. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith.

It was the ultimate captain's performance, but his co-skipper Sam Docherty and teammate Charlie Curnow weren't just talking about Patrick Cripps' Marvel Stadium masterclass yesterday.

They were referring to how Cripps helped to keep the young playing group tight after Monday's sacking of coach Brendon Bolton, as well as directing their ambush of the Brisbane Lions in stunning fashion.

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Cripps had an equal career-best 38 disposals as well as career-high records of 24 uncontested possessions and four goals.

He shook off the tagging shackles which bound him in the past few weeks., and produced an exceptional performance, mirroring his off-field role in galvanising the Blues' group.

"'Crippa' was unreal," Charlie Curnow said. "It was as good a game as I've seen."

"He has had a tough couple of weeks (with the tagging). Just to see him play with more freedom was great. We love playing with him and we are lucky to have him."

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Docherty, who had to face the media on Monday alongside Cripps following Bolton’s sacking, couldn't have been more proud of his co-skipper’s performance throughout the week.

"He is an absolute star," Docherty said, who watched the game from the bench.

"He's obviously had a massive week being a skipper of the footy club when this change happens, and the emotional toll it takes.

"So to go out there and perform the way he did was incredible. It's testament to all the hard work he puts in."

Brownlow Medal winner Jimmy Bartel said Cripps was the league’s most valuable player.

“I’m not saying best player and I’m not saying Brownlow medallist,” he said on 3AW.

“But he’s the MVP of the whole competition.”

Fellow midfielder Ed Curnow and opponent Dayne Zorko lauded Cripps’ impact.

“His second half yesterday was probably one of the best individual performances I’ve ever seen on a football field,” Zorko said on Channel 7.

“We thought if we could try and nullify him around stoppages which is where he does most of his damage, (it would) be beneficial for us.

“We were able to do that in the first half. We kept him to 13 disposals.

“But we went away from that in the second half … to Patty’s credit he got off the leash.”

Patrick Cripps put on a masterclass in Carlton’s win against Brisbane Lions. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith.

Cripps said it was "bloody good to win", saying he was pleased to contribute after a fortnight of hard tags limited his usual dominance.

"What I've been through the past few weeks is pretty full-on," Cripps told Fox Footy.

"As much as you'd like to say it doesn't affect you it does drain you. No disrespect to some of the players I've played on, they got the better of me.

"But I needed to respond … I was disappointed with the way I played the last few weeks. But it's all about winning and it's bloody good to win."

Originally published as Patrick Cripps turns on masterclass Marvel display as teammates laud his selfless approach