AFL 2022: Carlton coach Michael Voss believes captain Patrick Cripps can return to AFL’s elite

A brilliant pre-season including two standout practice matches has the AFL world talking about this Carlton star.

Patrick Cripps has enjoyed a strong pre-season that has him on track to return to the AFL’s elite. Picture: Getty Images

New Carlton coach Michael Voss is adamant his captain Patrick Cripps can bounce back into the game’s elite this year as he tries to spearhead the Blues to a long-awaited finals berth.

Cripps was arguably the AFL’s No.1 footballer in 2019, when he won the Players’ Association MVP award, even if Dustin Martin had cemented himself as the best big-match player.

But the star onballer, who turns 27 next week, struggled to maintain his torrid pace the past two seasons for various reasons, not least of which were lingering injuries.

Cripps looked all the way back to his prime when he amassed 30 disposals, four goals, eight score involvements and nine clearances last week in a brilliant Community Series performance against Melbourne.

As with his team, the true test will be once the season proper begins, starting with Martin’s Richmond next Thursday, but Voss said he “couldn’t be more pleased” with Cripps.

Patrick Cripps was thrilled to finish the pre-season with an impressive victory over reigning premier Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

“I had coached against him enough times to know that he’s a genuine handful,” Voss told SEN.

“There aren’t too many 194cm midfielders running around and he proves a real challenge even for the very best, so he’s really important.

“But, equally, whatever playing talents he brings, his leadership and the journey he’s been on with that, he has a real passion around it.

“He’s extremely excited to lead this group and he’s really hungry for success and he can’t wait to start playing next week and get the season underway.”

Cripps is set to be even more vital to Carlton’s hopes early in the season, with reigning club champion Sam Walsh recovering from ankle syndesmosis surgery.

Carlton coach Michael Voss wants to develop a strong relationship with captain Patrick Cripps. Picture: Getty Images

Voss knows developing a strong bond with him is a major priority, especially now that he holds the role in his own right.

“It’s a critical relationship. Being able to have really strong conversations with your captain is extremely important,” Voss said.

“Him having the ability to be able to articulate what he needs back to the coach is equally important.

“We’re (coaches) the ones who get to observe from afar, and he’s the one who gets to go out there and execute.

“We have to have, as a captain and coach, a relationship where he can freely move out on the field and do what he needs to, to be able to get the best out of everyone on the field.”

Originally published as AFL 2022: Carlton coach Michael Voss believes captain Patrick Cripps can return to AFL’s elite