John Nicholls declares ‘supreme faith’ in Patrick Cripps, Michael Voss to land Carlton a premiership

John Nicholls won five club B&Fs, a record which stood alone until Patrick Cripps equalled it last month. The Blues legend tells JON RALPH why he thinks Cripps can also win a flag.

Carlton premiership great John Nicholls says he has “supreme faith” in the Blues’ premiership credentials, confident Michael Voss can win a flag as coach if the club can finally overcome its torrid run with injury.

Nicholls and captain Patrick Cripps shared a touching moment as the 85-year-old congratulated the Blues champion on his 45-vote Brownlow Medal performance in the moments after he was anointed as the latest Carlton great.

Then Cripps won his fifth John Nicholls Medal only days later, with Nicholls the only other Carlton player to win five club best-and-fairests.

Patrick Cripps and Michael Voss walk off the ground together. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Nicholls won his five best-and-fairests between 1959-1967, with ‘Big Nick’ a triple premiership ruckman with a profile at the club so dominant the club best-and-fairest was renamed after him from 2004 onwards, replacing Robert Reynolds.

In a rare interview, Nicholls told the Herald Sun he was proud of the gains made by the club on and off the field under Voss and chief executive Brian Cook.

He and Cripps have been close for many years as the Blues look to break what will be a 30-year premiership drought next year.

“The photo caused some comments but I don’t feel embarrassed about it. We have been great mates from day one and we get on well together,” Nicholls said.

Patrick Cripps of the Blues is congratulated by Carlton legend John Nicholls after winning the 2024 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Michael Klein

“Right from the time he started and then he and Sam Docherty were co-captains, he has always shown the talent and he’s matured a lot.

“Apart from not winning a flag, I am just so proud of Carlton in the last few years at the club. The club has everything going in a perfect way apart from some success on the field.

“The players are magnificent and the word respect crops up a lot. To me guys like Cripper and (Sam) Walsh and (Jacob) Weitering, they are all very respectful kids.

“The foundations are in place. Since Brian Cook has come along the club is doing a lot of community-minded things in the community and they are setting standards. It comes back to respect. That is the world I have for the club. From their leaders, and that includes Cripper and the other boys, I am just so proud of them.”

Nicholls believes Cripps can lead the Blues to a flag. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

Carlton had a chance to secure Port Adelaide interceptor Dan Houston in the trade period but instead traded for the No. 3 overall pick even as the defender made clear he had been keen to play for the Blues.

Nicholls believes the club has enough talent.

Now it needs to give those stars the best chance to showcase their wares.

“Asked about capitalising on the premiership window, Nicholls replied: “I have supreme faith in what is happening. It will fall into place. We are certainly very close.

“I felt all through the year that if we had our absolute best playing we were good enough.

“Injuries killed us. We had so many soft-tissue injuries. We missed Weitering and Walsh for three, we lost Adam Cerra two or three times, Jack Martin two or three times. It’s a learning curve and we are so close.”