Carlton coach David Teague has praised co-captain Patrick Cripps for his constant hunger to make the team better off the field.
It was reported during the trade period by AFL Trade Radio’s Matthew Lloyd that Cripps was in constant communication with Teague and the Blues’ off-field leaders about targeting players and various other suggestions on things the club should try over summer.
"Paddy has been central to the last few weeks, meeting with players, trying to get players to join Carlton and strengthen their position,” Lloyd said.
Teague said Cripps has a deep care for the Blues and acts on his desire to make the team better.
“What I love is he’s curious. He wants to get better, he’s learning, he’s done some reading – he cares,” Teague told Carlton Media answering fan questions.
“He really cares about this footy club and to be honest one of the things that stood out this year is how much he cared and his willingness to step back at times and allow his teammates to grow and experience opportunities in the past he felt he needed to do.
“We encourage all our players to be curious and a desire to learn and a thirst for knowledge is something I would love every single player to have and he leads from the front in that area.
“He wants to get better, he’s really passionate about this football club, he’s got great care and he’s going to do something about it.
“He’s had lots of different ideas and opportunities and even just throwing up ideas that get your brain thinking, whether it ends up happening or not, it gets your brain going.
“He’s been outstanding in this period and we can’t wait to get him back here in a really good state and back to training in January.”
The Carlton co-captain is out of contract at the end of 2021, but Blues fans would be buoyed by his level of involvement in the club.
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