Patrick Cripps slams ‘factually incorrect’ report over hotel stay

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has gone on the attack over a misleading report that a veteran journalist went to air with on Monday.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 26: Patrick Cripps of the Blues leads his team out during the round 11 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Carlton Blues at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 26, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/ via Getty Images )

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has hit out at a report that stated he and a fellow teammate had stayed at a separate hotel to the team on their recent interstate trip to Sydney.

The Blues ventured into Sydney over the weekend to take on the Swans on Friday night in what was their sixth loss in seven games.

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The fallout to the game has amplified pressure on coach Michael Voss’ future while club director Craig Mathieson resigned from his position after the match.

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson, on Footy Classified on Monday night, reported that Cripps and Sam Docherty had stayed in a separate hotel to the rest of the team.

The story was put to bed on Tuesday morning when SEN’s Sam Edmund stated the pair stayed with the team for two nights, before staying one extra night in another hotel with their families.

“That has been made very clear to me,” Edmund said.

Cripps took to his personal Instagram account on Tuesday morning to rubbish the “factually incorrect” story and clear up exactly what had taken place.

“I can cop criticism about form and losing but when it’s factually incorrect and questions my character and commitment to the team it p***es me off. This is the accountability as players that we would love to see with certain people in the media,” Cripps posted on his Instagram account.

“For clarity for everyone, I stayed with the team the entire time they were in Sydney and joined my wife and family members on the Saturday night as we had the weekend off.

“We aren’t where we want to be as a team right now, but never question my commitment to this team or club. I can’t wait for Friday night #baggers.”

Cripps and Docherty stuck around in Sydney an extra night, something that former AFL players Matthew Lloyd and Kane Cornes said was completely normal on interstate trips.

“I’ve got no issue at all (with Cripps flying back later). When you lose, things like that pop up,” Lloyd said.

“I was at the AFL this morning doing a show and (Giants captain) Toby Greene was there, so he obviously hasn’t flown home to Sydney after they’ve beaten Geelong over the weekend.

“I think we look far more into things when teams are losing.”

Cornes added: “I don’t personally have an issue with that. I think footy clubs do this all the time.

“If there’s a Friday night game and the players have the following day off, some players will choose to stay in that location and have a bit of a holiday.”

Cripps hit back at the report. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Carlton’s season slumped to a new low after the Friday night loss when a verbal altercation unfolded in the rooms after the final siren.

Former board director Mathieson was reportedly vocal in the rooms after the 26-point loss, prompting club president Luke Sayers to step in.

The confrontation was apparently seen by family and friends of players and fellow board members, but the players themselves were in a meeting and did not see it.

Seven’s Tom Browne reported that Sayers considered the altercation “below professional standards of what is expected, which has led to Mathieson departing.”

Carlton released a statement on Mathieson’s departure on Monday morning.

“The Carlton Football Club has accepted the resignation of Director Craig Mathieson, who has served on the Carlton Board since 2012,” the statement read.

“Mathieson made the decision to resign after serving as director for 11 years and overseeing the Club’s financial and audit remits.

“Mathieson’s position as a Director would have become vacant at the end of 2024 due to him reaching his maximum term under the constitution, and the Club will now take counsel from its Independent Nominations Committee to commence a thorough process for a Director replacement.”