Blues skipper Cripps will bounce back: Voss

Shayne Hope | June 12, 2023

Carlton coach Michael Voss has backed Patrick Cripps to bounce back after the Blues’ captain lowered his colours in a deflating loss to Essendon.

Cripps did not register a single effective kick with Champion Data statisticians at the MCG on Sunday night.

The superstar midfielder missed the target by foot four times from 19 disposals under attention from Bombers duo Archie Perkins and Jye Caldwell.

Voss did not make any excuses for last year’s Brownlow Medal winner in the aftermath, declaring Cripps fully fit.

“He’s completely fine,” Voss said after the 34-point defeat.

“Sometimes you lose a bit of form and he’s running through a little bit of that.

“There’s a couple of players that have been in the same boat.

“He’s got a little challenge ahead of him to be able to rectify it and I’ll back that man in.”

Cripps averaged 26.8 disposals and 6.8 clearances over the opening 12 rounds this season – those numbers marginally down on last year’s output.

The 28-year-old has played 172 games for Carlton over 10 seasons but is yet to taste finals action.

The top eight is a step further away after a sixth consecutive defeat, which was the Blues’ eighth in their last nine games.

“I know where his heart is and I know what he wants to be able to do for this football club,” Voss said.

“I know he’s absolutely desperate to play the best he possibly can for this football club.

“It means a lot to him, so I know he won’t rest until he can turn that around.

“We’ll continue to lean on our leadership and continue to lean on Crippa to be able to provide that leadership for us.”

Carlton (4-8-1) take on Gold Coast in round 14 before their mid-season bye.