Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps signs six-season deal
The Blues have secured the future of a two-time All-Australian, with the star signing a contract that will likely keep him a one-club man.
Carlton have locked down Patrick Cripps on a mega deal for a whopping six years.
The contract will expire in 2027, when the Blues’ skipper turns 32.
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Cripps will rake in around $800,000 a season under the new deal, according to The Herald Sun.
The 26-year-old was picked up by Carlton as the 13th overall pick in the 2013 AFL National Draft, and picked up the gong for the Leigh Matthews Trophy in 2019.
The two-time All-Australian was set to be a free agent at the end of the season, but with his long-term future secured, Carlton can breathe a little easier on that front.
“I love this club, I love the people and I love the privilege of pulling on that Navy Blue jumper each and every week. This place has become home – my decision was that simple,” Cripps said in a statement on the Carlton website.
“I couldn’t be more confident in what we are building here. It is not always going to be smooth sailing, but this group will not stop working until we achieve what we are striving for – winning that 17th premiership for the Carlton Football Club.
“We’ve been through some tough periods as a group and we’ll continue to be challenged but none of that will shake our belief in the direction we are heading and what we are capable of.
“There really isn’t any other football club in the country like ours. The passion our members and fans have is incredible and the support they’ve given me over the last eight years is something I never take for granted – we’ve ridden the highs and lows so far together and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead for us in the years to come.”
Cripps joins Harry McKay in committing to the Blues, with the latter inking an extension that will keep him at the club until free agency in 2023.
“We’ve said it countless times this year and will say it again, we’ve never seen a player more invested in seeing their football club succeed than Patrick Cripps,” Blues Head of List Management Nick Austin added.
“We all know he is a quality player but more importantly he is an exceptional Carlton person, who cares deeply about seeing this football club succeed.
“From the moment we sat down to discuss Patrick re-signing, he made it clear he wanted what was best for the football club – that tells you not only the calibre of person he is.
“Our football club will always be heading in the right direction with people such as Patrick leading the way and we are delighted that will continue to be the case with his commitment to be a Carlton person for life.”
While Carlton are tying down their stars off the field, it hasn’t exactly been a smooth-sailing campaign on it.
David Teague’s side languish in 14th place, and 12 points outside the finals positions.
Cripps’ side will look to arrest a three-game losing streak for a much needed 4 points when they take on the Adelaide Crows this Sunday.
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