AFL great Leigh Matthews is confident Patrick Cripps will recapture his best form after a strong pre-season.
After Matthews called Cripps a “journeyman” midway through last year on Sportsday as a result of him playing through injury, he painted a more optimistic picture about the gun Blue’s fortunes heading into the 2022 season.
He said that if Cripps rediscovers his best, it could see Carlton rocket up the ladder this season.
“I am really happy for him,” he said on Sportsday after watching Cripps’ AAMI Community Series performance against Melbourne last Thursday.
“I made that observation last year (that he looked like a journeyman), but on the form he showed last week hopefully he can be back into that (Dustin) Martin, (Marcus) Bontempelli, (Christian) Petracca and (Nat) Fyfe bracket – the big, powerful midfielder who can be a potential goal kicker.
“We don’t know whether it was injuries or something else last year… he had degenerated from an outstanding match-winner into a journeyman but last week he was outstanding.
“If Patrick Cripps plays at the level we saw 2-3 years ago, that will lift you half a dozen places up the ladder as he’s outstanding when he’s at that level.”
Cripps will lead Carlton as they take on Richmond in their season-opener next Thursday night.
