AFL Suns Blues: Bailey Humphrey talks of idol Patrick Cripps ahead of Gold Coast clash

Gold Coast’s 2022 first round pick says idolising Patrick Cripps won’t stop him doing a job on the Carlton skipper this weekend.

As a boy with AFL dreams in his heart and stars in his eyes, Gold Coast young gun Bailey Humphrey’s idol was Carlton captain Patrick Cripps.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Blues at Heritage Bank Stadium, Humphrey revealed the “pinch myself” moment from round 14 when he stood side-by-side with the Brownlow Medalist and finally realised he had made it.

“I was the biggest Patty Cripps fan growing up,” the 18-year-old said.

“When we played Carlton I lined up on him and he pushed me around a bit, so that opened my eyes definitely.

Bailey Humphrey has made an immediate impact at the Suns since his debut in round 4. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“It’s definitely the more games I play the easier it gets, but it’s still pretty cool to play against the person you looked up to in the AFL growing up.

“100 per cent if he’s there and he’s alone I’ll definitely put my hand up to go to him.”

That confidence to take on a challenge no matter how great is part of what has made Humphrey an instant success at the Suns.

Taken No. 6 in the 2022 AFL draft, the Gippsland Power product has stood out among a stacked draft class as a future star of the competition.

Parachuted into the side for his debut in round four, Humphrey has not missed a game since.

So impressed were the Suns with his production they put a four-year contract extension in front of him after just 11 games, tying Humphrey to the club until the end of 2028.

Deployed predominantly as a high half forward, the teenager has been handed regular minutes in midfield and already showed he has a future at the position – even in a side as stacked with on-ballers as Gold Coast.

“I think it shows the club and coaching staff have a lot of trust in me for a first year (player) to go straight into the midfield,” Humphrey said.

“Obviously I’m still earning my stripes and everything so I have to make sure I’m ready to go to play midfield.”

Humphrey signed a long-term deal just 11 games into his AFL career, tying him to the Suns until the end of 2028. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Still just 18 games into his AFL career, Humphrey has already shown glimpses of key Cripps traits – he’s tough to tackle, breaks from contests with powerful leg drive and has a knack for kicking big goals when his team needs it.

But he knows there’s a long way to go before the true Cripps comparisons can be made.

“Also learning about the high half-forward role as well, I’m still getting my head around that. I think I play my best footy in the midfield, but I still have to earn my stripes as a forward (first),” Humphrey said.

“I think my best asset is I have the ability to go forward and get on the scoreboard as well.”

The Suns might be out of the finals race but with two games to go, they can still achieve a club-record 11-win season.

A downtrodden Carlton played itself into form against Gold Coast earlier this year with a 59-point thumping that cast doubt on the Suns’ finals credentials.

Now the Blues are the in-form team of the competition and considered by some a genuine premiership threat.

The Suns, playing only for pride, can still have a big say in the finals make-up with an upset win on Saturday.