Cripps to add steel to Blues midfield mix
Mar 3, 2017 - 1:49 AM Carlton will look to midfield bull Patrick Cripps to help address the Blues' alarming lack of intensity in Saturday's mauling at the hands of Melbourne.Cripps will play his first game of the pre-season when Carlton host St Kilda on Saturday after overcoming stress fractures in his back.
Blues midfielder Ed Curnow admitted his side put in a disappointing effort against the Demons in the 54-point thrashing at Casey Fields.
Curnow confirmed Cripps would take the field at Princes Park, with his addition to add some steel to the midfield mix.
"He'll instil a lot of belief and confidence in the young group out there," Curnow said on Friday.
"He's a bull around the stoppages and everyone loves playing with him, so that contagious pressure around the football will be great for our group."
The inclusion of Cripps is an encouraging development for the 21-year-old who initially looked to be in danger of missing the Blues' round one clash against Richmond when the injury was diagnosed.
In an eventful pre-season, Cripps has also had to deal with speculation linking him with a trade to either of the AFL clubs in his native Western Australia.
The Blues quickly stepped in to refute the trade rumours surrounding their contracted young star, who is widely seen as a future captain of the club.
"He's definitely got really strong leadership qualities," Curnow said.
"I'm sure he could become a leader of the Carlton Football Club in the future.
"He's extremely determined and driven - he wants to be the best.
"The standards he holds for himself are super high."
Carlton's AFL Women's team will attempt to keep their grand final hopes alive when they take on the Western Bulldogs in the curtain raiser to the men's game.
Injured star Brianna Davey is being given every opportunity to play in the do-or-die clash, the defender named as an emergency.
"She's still coming back from that back injury," teammate Madeline Keryk said.
"The medical team will give her every chance.
"She certainly adds a lot to our team ... we really miss that leadership down back when she's not there."
Source: AAP
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