‘Everyone should be up for discussion’: Carlton urged to consider trading Patrick Cripps

As Carlton’s disappointing season continues, an AFL great says the Blues should consider trading their two-time Brownlow Medallist.

Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis has encouraged Carlton to consider trading Patrick Cripps because of the way AFL football is now being played.

Carlton sit 11th on the ladder heading into round 17, three wins outside the top eight with their finals hopes dashed after losses to North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

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Pressure is mounting on coach Michael Voss, who is in his fourth year in charge at Carlton. His best result was a 2023 preliminary final appearance.

It appears likely the Blues will back in Voss, who is contracted for 2026, and hope the club can enjoy a resurgence similar to Richmond in 2017 following a dismal season.

But speaking on Fox Footy’s On The Couch, Lewis said Cripps, as well as key forwards Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay, should be on the trade table at season’s end.

“You look at the players on your list that have currency,” Lewis said.

“Entertain the idea to get them out the door and get some draft picks.”

Could Patrick Cripps get traded from Carlton? (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Carlton’s ball use, particularly kicking inside 50, has been poor this season, and Lewis believes only draftee Jagga Smith, who suffered an ACL injury on the eve of the season, can offer a change of pace in the midfield.

Cripps is a contested ball beast but he is emblematic of Carlton’s disposal efficiency woes.

“You’ve got to take the emotion out of it. I’m talking Cripps, Curnow, McKay,” Lewis said.

“I sit here and the way the game is going, you’ve got to be able to transition (in) in the midfield.

“I think you’ve got to take the emotion out of it. I keep coming back to — the best player in the league was traded out of Hawthorn — Lance Franklin left the Hawthorn Football Club to go to Sydney and everything was OK.

“I just think you don’t want to have these conversations in three years time when the player you could have traded out has lost their currency.”

Asked if it would be too harsh for Carlton to even consider trading Cripps, Lewis said: “It is what it is, absolutely.

“If you want to be a mediocre side, you’re not going to make tough decisions. Do you see Carlton winning a flag in the next five years?”
Richmond champion Jack Riewoldt replied: “Not on current form, no.”

Lewis added: “I honestly think everyone should be up for discussion other than probably Jagga Smith.”

Patrick Cripps and Michael Voss. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Carlton rookie Jagga Smith is recovering from an ACL injury. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Trading Cripps would be a shocking move considering the 30-year-old is Carlton’s club captain and he won his second Brownlow Medal last year with a record 45 votes.

Ruckman Tom De Koning is expected to join St Kilda on a deal worth $1.7 million per season, while McKay and Walsh are also in trade rumours.

“It’s the big three of Walsh, Curnow and McKay,” journalist Cal Twomey told Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday.

“I don’t think they move on Charlie Curnow. Speaking to clubs, they’ll be much more movable on Harry McKay if the taker is there, a suitor with a relevant price for him.

“Sam Walsh is a different scenario. He’s got one year to go before he hits free agency, but he’s in absolutely no rush to get into his free agency call. Geelong is already making waves about getting him back to their area.”

Carlton play ladder leaders Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night.

Originally published as ‘Everyone should be up for discussion’: Carlton urged to consider trading Patrick Cripps