AFL 2023 news: Patrick Cripps Raring For First Ever Finals Series As Blues Have Heated Session
At IKON Park, tempers flared, but Carlton captain Patrick Cripps was encouraged by his team's tenacity in advance of the playoffs.
After 10 seasons and 180 games, Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps has stated that he is healthy and ready to take on Sydney in front of a sold-out MCG crowd on Friday night.
And despite simply running laps at the Blues' first training session in front of over 2000 supporters at Ikon Park, he is certain that injured colleague Blake Acres will overcome the shoulder injury he received against the Giants last week.
Soreness in the rib area kept Cripps out of the round 24 match against Greater Western Sydney, but he managed to get through a two-hour session on Saturday morning.
When asked about his performance on Saturday, Cripps said, "I didn't hold back; it was actually a really good confidence boost for me."
Having the past week off has done me a world of good. I'm all geared up and ready to go.
In a willing match simulation, teammates Marc Pittonet and Matt Kennedy engaged in a spirited push and shove, leading to their teammates intervening to separate them. The 28-year-old, who hasn't played in a final since he was a junior in Western Australia at age 14, wore some extra padding for protection.
The way we practice is the way we play, and when Pitto (Pittonet) is at his best, he is a huge lad who likes throwing his weight around," Cripps added.
To paraphrase, "We love that (sort of) physicality."
According to Cripps, if Harry McKay had stayed for the entire match simulation session, it would have been a major load management problem.
Cripps has stated that the Blues' appearance in the finals for the first time in ten years is not enough, and that they intend to make a statement on the grandest platform in Australian football.
"Making it (to finals) is one thing, but making an impact is another," he remarked. You can't just invent a bunch of numbers, right?
Our finest football is competitive, and we want to make a big splash.
"It seems like a lot of the boys, myself included, have been waiting for this opportunity for quite some time."
While the Swans will have a number of players who have emerged as regular finals contributors in recent seasons, he does not believe the Blues' lack of finals experience will be a factor.
"We are fortunate to play for a big club like Carlton; we have many time slots, including the opening round (against Richmond) and against Collingwood, where there are always 80,000 to 90,000 in attendance."
Even the game at the conclusion of last season against Collingwood had the feel of a playoff game.
Although many of us have never competed in a championship game, we feel mentally prepared.
He noted that the club's spirits had been high this week in anticipation of Saturday's workout in preparation for the Blues' AFLW match against Gold Coast.
He believes the Blues' rabid fanbase can serve as an invaluable resource for the team come playoff time.
To play your first final in front of a large crowd, especially when you have fans like us, is an incredible experience. They share our enthusiasm right along with us.
CHEERS FOR BLAKE AND JSOS
For a while during the Blues' Saturday morning match simulation practice, Patrick Cripps didn't know what the clamor of the audience was until he looked across and saw Blake Acres and then Jack Silvagni powering through the laps.
Cripps chuckled and compared the noise level to that of the crowd during a Matildas penalty shootout after halftime.
The Carlton faithful cheered on Acres and Silvagni as they battled injuries on the boundary line in the lead-up to the finals.
Acres avoided a major collarbone injury last week, but his status for next week's game against Sydney is still up in the air.
While he was running easily, he was still a little timid in whatever ball work he did on Saturday, and he did not take part in any of the contract drills or the match simulation session.
Cripps has reported that Acres is still optimistic about playing against the Swans.
He's confident that he will recover and stand up. Cripps remarked, "I think he is pretty good."
This year, he has been one of our most valuable players. He provides us with tremendous motivation, and he does a lot of things that don't make it onto the small screen.
He is expected to increase his training in the coming days before a decision is made on whether or not he will be available to play against the Swans.
Silvagni, who is no longer under contract, is fighting another knee strain after having an arthroscope performed, although he may play later in the playoffs if the Blues are still in the running.
"He has been huge for us," Cripps said of Silvagni. He's making some good headway. We adore him.
PITT’S PUSH ‘N SHOVE
Marc Pittonet and Matt Kennedy displayed a new level of energy during the club's match simulation practice, indicative of the significance of the upcoming finals.
Kennedy shoved Pittonet to the ground and tackled him with some force, angering the ruckman.
At once, Pittonet remonstrated with Kennedy in a push and shove with some feeling, and their teammates stepped in to separate them.
The push and shove had nothing to do with malice, unlike the 2009 incident between Setanta O'hAilpin and Cameron Cloke, which occurred at the same place.
Cripps praised the Blues' training intensity, claiming it was the driving force behind the team's second-half form surge.
As soon as Pittonet and Kennedy returned to training after the incident, they patched things up.
Pittonet is working hard to get back into the Blues' playoff lineup after being left off the roster for their season-ending home-and-away matchup with the Giants.
During most of the time spent simulating matches, Charlie Curnow faced off against Tom De Koning.
Both Sam Docherty (sores) and Jesse Motlop (sickness), who sat out the Giants' battle, appeared healthy in the virtual contest.
SWANS TO BRING THE HEAT
Cripps is confident that the Blues can handle the intensity of Friday's elimination final against the Swans.
Pressure is our brand, but it is also their brand, he said. To paraphrase, "You talk about the 'Bloods' culture, and we know that it (pressure) is going to come our way."
"Finals are all about a contested culture, so it will be an arm-wrestle for a long part of the game, and it will be who can hold onto the contest for as long as they can."
"They're armed and dangerous... Tom Papley's character, "Papps," is known for his antics on the field. There will be a burst of vitality after he arrives. Midfielders Calum Mills and Errol Gulden have both had outstanding seasons, and halfback Nick Blakey is fast and nimble.
We have weapons, and they do as well, but the odds are still in our favor.