Carlton star Patrick Cripps and Monique Fontana announce their engagement

Carlton star Patrick Cripps and his long-time partner Monique Fontana have announced their engagement.

Carlton star Patrick Cripps has locked in his forever love, popping the question to his long-time partner Monique Fontana.

The Blues club captain posted the happy news on Friday night, just a day after he starred in a pre-season game against Melbourne.

“Done and dusted,” Cripps wrote on a picture of the couple.

Fontana, who is studying vet technology, also posted the same picture with the caption: “FOREVAAAA”.

The pair, who spent a few months in the off-season in WA with family, were inundated with messages of congratulations.

Midfield gun Cripps struggled with injury last season but is set for a big year on the field too.

The Carlton Football Club shared the engagement joy: “Rick and Mon. If this doesn’t make you smile, nothing will.”

In December, Fontana opened up to the Herald Sun about her battle with a debilitating mental illness and her recovery with the help of Cripps.

In 2020 she revealed she suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, which resulted in her spending two weeks in hospital.

She has since been having regular therapy and paid tribute to Cripps.

Patrick Cripps. Picture: Michael Klein.

“A lot of people think you live this glamorous life and your partner plays football,’’ she said.

“Everyone has their own unique situation and you are criticised and there are different sides.

“(Patrick) is very emotionally intelligent and can pick up when I’m suffering.

“He’s a relaxed person himself. He’ll book me a psych and he’s proactive in that way. It really helps to have a supportive partner. He’s doing a postgrad in psychology and he’s enjoying learning more, it’s something he’s passionate about.

“There are a lot of people suffering with mental health and it’s good to spread the awareness.

“Even if it helps one person it’s worth it.

“People don’t treat it like it’s a health condition but it’s just as important as any other illness.”